One bitterly cold February morning in 1984, my late father Jim Clements suggested that we should go for a walk, one that may possibly involve a short train ride. Setting off from our local Train Station we soon entered the High-Peak District with snow covered tops that looked absolutely stunning. As our train pulled into Furness Vale Station, we walked along the gritted railway platform and directly
in to the ‘Crossings’ Pub opposite to get warm. A short time later we left the pub and began to walk alongside the Canal.

It had long been Jim’s dream to have a boat of his own, one that he could restore during his retirement. “Perhaps we might find something that we could tackle together” he would say, without realising he had already begun ‘re-constructing’ my education! Being handy with the heavy stuff was okay, but learning a great many things from dad was just a ‘tip off the proverbial Iceberg’, and later in life these teachings would eventually prove invaluable!

Jim’s intention on this particular day was to view a Motor-boat named “MOJO”, one that he’d caught sight of just the week before! On arrival, however, all we could find were some sunken remains of a boat we had seen barely floating the week before! The “MOJO” had foundered and, entrapped in ice, was totally finished! Jim turned to say… there’s little we can do with this one son, perhaps we should look elsewhere!”

Walking along the towpath we recognised another possible candidate, one of which Jim had seen many times before (as a Wireless Telegrapher in the Merchant Navy (1942 to 1946), Jim recognised this boat as being identical to the ‘Brooke-Type’ craft that he had previousely seen when coming alongside the flotilla vessels that he served on during WWII… their mission being to deliver & collect the Kings Mail, various Parcels, Stores and other Provisions, but most importantly essential were the personal items intended for the crew!

Brooke Boat 26 “Smuggler” was moored between bridges 31 & 32 adjacent to the “Catherine Powers”. Lifting the boat’s cover, Jim was able to make out two large bronze filler caps, a bronze tiller post with two large Naval Cleats. Towards the bow was a beautiful Anchor-Roller, complete with a chain and assembly secured to her Stem-piece. Under the Tarpaulin we could just about make out the boat’s name, it read “Smuggler”.

Such furnishings suggested a craft of considerable age and reputable build. Beyond this though, we also needed to think things through and whether to buy the boat if she was worth saving! Her frames were lightly built and pitched close together to provide excellent broaching characteristics that would allow her to stay on station when along-side larger flotilla vessels; in a deep swell or countering poor sea conditions that may otherwise cause her to capsize. Albeit old and tired, her lines remained beautifully defined and distinct and in the water… her charm rang out as she caught Jim’s eye, and from that moment on we knew this would likely become Jim’s ‘project’!

After a few moments contemplation we went to see the site attendant to enquire if “Smuggler” might be “for sale” and a short number of phone calls later - her owners, Ken and Roselyn Brown released the keys and we were given permission to go aboard. A short time later dad bought “Smuggler” .

Having Purchased the boat, we then set about having a good look at what we had bought with a view to getting her home.

Compiling a short-list of essential items, our initial list included; bilge-pumps, float switches, two new batteries, battery charger and a brand-new 40-square foot Wagon-sheet! I completed her mooring lines & springers by chain splicing the ends to purposely make my hands red-raw!! There was little need of fuel for the near-original 28 h.p. Henry Meadows Marine Motor, as she would not be fully reconditioned until the following spring. During this time Smuggler’s cabin and hull needed much protection from the penetrating ice and cold of Furness-Vale. Jim was able to locate two metal electric Pipe-heaters which we installed into the cabin. These didn’t cost a fortune, but kept the cabin and well-deck reasonably dry (if not not entirely free from ice)!

Even then we had begun to absorb the many beautiful features of the boat that we had purchased:-

Smuggler’s Stem-piece is raked slightly forward to help her ‘cut the water’. Onto this sits an anchor-roller with a small ‘fly-bridge’ to secure the Staff & Pennant. The cabin when found was not as originally planned and in desperate need of repair. Her fore-deck was originally laid from Teak on Oak with bronze hardware - all found as originally supplied! “Smuggler” still retains a small opening hatch aft of the ‘head’, and in front of this a curved bronze ‘chain-pipe’; above which is a hinged locker plate to stay the anchor chain. Beyond this sit two central bollard cleats from which her springer lines can be tied when ‘berthing’.

Continuing in the well-deck is the helm… where a chain & cable system is deployed to assist with Steering. On the port-side of the well-deck is a manual water-pump, which may be used to clear the bilge of water should a large wave try to ‘swamp’ the well-deck. This manual pump is further aided by two electric water-pumps, one fitted to the Port-side of the well-deck and the other, an internal pump located to starboard just short of a water cock located near the ship’s head.

Original Budenberg oil gauges (hitherto ‘Schaffer & Budenberg’), sit together with two Quadrants; One for “Throttle” and the other, for “Advance/Retard lever”, both to manage the engine timing. The dual 2” throat up-draught Zenith Carburettors have flame arrestors across the butterfly valves to prevent any potential fire hazard (Note: - her old Fire-Bottles have now been replaced).

Aft of well-deck towards her Sternpost / Tiller assembly, are two very large Petrol filler caps; a Flag-staff and two large bronze naval cleats. Six taper-arm bollards have been fitted to accommodate her Sisal fenders.

Built of carvel construction from Honduras mahogany on oak, Smuggler’s underside flattens towards the stern to provide a planing surface. The craft rises onto the plane at precisely 6-knots!

The following spring, her Marine Motor was removed for restoration and “Smuggler” was transported to our home in Cheshire. Little did we then know of the lengthy restoration that lay ahead!