Autumn 2026 - Issue 83
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Front Cover: The River Severn was one of the country’s most important traffic routes. This typical Severn Longboat, shows the extra freeboard for working on running water and strong timber-heads fitted for towing behind a steam tug. These boats had relatively small cabins and four beams – one for the mast and three stands – giving extra cargo room in the hold compared with the the typical Midlands canal boat.
The Autumn 2026 issue includes the following features.
Historical Profiles
The Cuckoo Dyke
Andy Tidy discovers why the Chesterfield Canal remains one of Britain’s most overlooked waterways
You can view an excerpt here.
Picturing the Past
Traffic through Thames Lock
Chris M. Jones looks at a series of images relating to traffic between the Port of London and the River Wey Navigation
This is our free-access sample article from the Autumn 2026 NarrowBoat
You can view an excerpt here.
Canals That Never Were
London to Birmingham
Richard Dean details unfulfilled hopes for a better waterway connection between England’s two principal cities
You can view an excerpt here.
Historical Profiles
Narrowboats of the North Midlands
Chris M. Jones studies a series of images showing craft at work, mainly in Cheshire and Staffordshire, and the various cargoes involved
You can view an excerpt here.
A Place in History
The Unbreakable Bridge
Bobby Cowling uncovers the remarkable story of the Derby Canal bridge that refused to collapse
You can view an excerpt here.
Picturing the Past
A Llifetime at Farmers Bridge
Andy Tidy provides a then-and-now perspective of one of Birmingham’s most recognisable waterway landmarks
You can view an excerpt here.
From the Archives
Charles Hadfield’s History
Joseph Boughey reflects on the remarkable legacy of Charles Hadfield, whose pioneering work transformed the study of Britain’s inland waterways
You can view an excerpt here.
A Broader Outlook
Passing Bulholme Lock
Chris M. Jones examines Jack Parkinson photos of a loaded compartment-boat train on the Aire & Calder in 1964
You can view an excerpt here.
Picturing the Past
West Yorkshire Mystery
Chris M. Jones investigates a photograph of an Upper Trent boat far from home waters
You can view an excerpt here.
Last Traffic
Last Loads to Doncaster
John Tarry looks back on the final years of Waddingtons’ coal traffic to Doncaster Power Station on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation
You can view an excerpt here.
