Canal Boat at Aberdulais Basin

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a wooden canal boat, typical of those that operated on the canals of Wales, dating to the late 19th century. The boat is believed to have been called The Victoria and built with a timber keel, flat bottom and straight side planks. Early illustrations indicate that such boats were some 18m long by 2.6m beam, and capable of carrying 20-25 tons. They did not have cabins and were also double-prowed to avoid the need for being turned around. The boat currently sits in the Aberdulais Canal Basin, which is the terminus of the Tennant Canal, built in 1824, and its junction with the Neath Canal, which opened in 1794.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 18th and 19th century transportation systems. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.