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Posted by Editor on 22nd April 2010 at 02:14 PM
Video: The Monton Lighthouse - Part 2
by Tony Flynn

Phil Austin or 'Barnacle Phil' as he shall now be known is not only the owner of the famous Monton Lighthouse but also the proud owner of a magnificent gentleman's cruising boat moored outside the Lighthouse, which he kindly showed me around.

The boat which was built in 1891 is an exact replica of the boat used by Queen Victoria when she visited Worsley in 1851, alighting at Patricroft train station before transferring to a horse drawn barge to Worsley to visit the Duke of Bridgewater.

It is recorded that the said about her canal trip to Worsley, how she, "enjoyed the silent glide through the countryside", as you can imagine at that time Monton was still a fairly rural hamlet.

To help recreate that "silent glide", Phil has converted the boat, Victoria R, from a diesel engine to an electric one. This is a 72 volt, 50 amp motor, powered by 36 batteries housed in concealed comparments, giving a running time of 16 hours of cruising time, on one charge.

Phil has ambitious plans for the Victoria R, it is 250 years of the opening of the Bridgewater canal and next year will be the 160th anniversary of the visit of Queen Victoria.

Plans are afoot to celebrate this event, with Phil hoping to get a member of the Royal family to reenact the canal journey that Queen Victoria made in 1851, this time on the Victoria R.



Related Links

For the latest news on the Victoria R click here
Part 1 click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  12th May 2010
I have a commerative medal depicting the royal vist which shows the royal barge, maybe a good time to sell it!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th May 2010
What a lovely story. Was aware of Phil's plans but not aware of their fruition. Chris Baylis.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by allan hayward ( member )  25th April 2010
Good stuff Tony. Do you think Barnacle Phil and I were seperated at birth ?

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  23rd April 2010
Royalty in Monton, whatever next. Congratulations Phil the book looks great, can't wait to see it silently gliding along the canal.

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