News / floating harbour
Former coal barge transformed into house boat sails into Bristol
An unusual boat turned heads on Monday morning when it made its way from the Cumberland Basin into Bristol’s docks.
Nora Easting has previously been berthed in Portishead Marina and moored in the Floating Harbour close to the Cottage pub before heading for repairs in Underfall Yard.
She was built in 1964 to carry coal on the Yorkshire waterways and has since been converted into a luxury house boat.
Originally 70ft-long, she was later renamed Chaceley and lengthened to 130ft to carry grain between Sharpness and the flour mills at Tewkesbury on the Sharpness & Gloucester canal.
She operated until 1998 and after being laid up in Tewkesbury for more than 15 years, moved down the canal to Sharpness Docks where she and her sister vessel Tirley bought by barge renovation specialists Noatun.
“With Chaceley, we wanted to pay tribute to what she was, but make sure that her use was relevant to the needs of the modern age,” write Noatun on their website.
“As a consequence, she was shortened to her original size and converted to a live aboard, to make her more attractive to those looking for a vessel that can more easily be accommodated on inland waterway moorings.
“The hope and expectation that she would continue to be a feature of our waterways for many years to come.”
The Nora Easting moored on Monday close to the Cottage pub – photo: Martin Booth
Noatun say that they have given the boat “a completely bespoke and unique look and not destroy her character by placing some modern steel structure on her deck”.
Some “modern twists” include the paint scheme and the addition of large round opening windows to the front and rear of the wheelhouse.
New features also include sky lanterns and new portholes, with a watertight door salvaged from HMS Cornwall on the collision bulkhead.
Inside the boat is a large open plan living area featuring 10ft-high ceilings, with two bedrooms directly off this area and one large bathroom. The front cabin has been transformed into the master bedroom.
Noatun says that “the approach taken was to create a modern contemporary look, but with some traditional touches”.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- ‘Planning hell’ over for family as self-build houseboat granted permission
- Lorry crashes into Floating Harbour
- Yacht with helicopter on board moors next to Brunel’s Buttery
- New home for old barge bought by city council for £1.4m
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