| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Bustardthorpe |
| Owner | TF Woods & Co |
| Operator | TF Woods & Co |
| Route | BetweenYork and the towns ofHull andGoole |
| Builder | JS Watson ofGainsborough |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Status | Converted to a privately owned houseboat |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Lighter |
| Tonnage | 98.22 gross tons[1] |
| Length | 91.93 ft (28.02 m) overall |
| Beam | 17.08 ft (5.21 m) |
| Depth | 6.89 feet (2.10 metres) |
| Installed power | Inboard motor |
| Capacity | 120 tons[2] |
Bustardthorpe, now known asMiranda Mayne, is a privately owned steellighter, based on theRiver Thames atAbingdon. She is on theNational Register of Historic Vessels, but is not a part of theNational Historic Fleet.
Bustardthorpe was originally constructed as an unpowered barge byJoseph Spencer Watson forT F Woods & Co.[3] Constructed of riveted Swedishrolled steel and fitted with a tiller and open wheelhouse, she was completed in 1914. She was initially paired with thesteam towing bargeOuse, and made regular trips betweenYork and the towns ofHull andGoole.[2] During her time with T F Woods & Co, she carried up to 120 tons of Swedish pulped paper rolls, destined for use by theYorkshire Herald.[3][2] She also transported bagged cocoa beans, sugar, hazelnuts and gum toWormald Cut on theRiver Foss for the confectionery companyRowntrees.[2]
In 1931,Bustardthorpe was fitted with a 75kWLister JP6 diesel engine, and was registered as a motor vessel.[1][3][2]
In 1949,Bustardthorpe's reverse gear failed while travelling down the River Foss, and she crashed into the lower gates ofCastle Mill Lock, damaging the gates.[2] She was then sold in 1957 to theDry Pool Engineering and Dry Dock Company, and the following year was sold again toWilliam Gilyott & Co Ltd of Hull.[2] In 1959, again at Castle Mill Lock, her engine overheated and she lost control.[2] She caused £60 of damage to the pumphouse suction pipe after colliding with it.[2]