Author's barge is destroyed in fire
AUTHOR Terry Darlington has seen the narrowboat he travelled the world in go up in flames during a fire at a boatyard.
A blaze close to the base of the Canal Cruising Company, in Stone, last night destroyed three boats moored on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
All the boats were privately owned, and one is believed to have been lived in full-time.
The Phyllis May, which had taken travel-writer Mr Darlington and his wife Monica across the English Channel and around America, was also destroyed.
Emergency services were called to the boatyard in Crown Street at 6.40pm yesterday, to a report of a narrowboat which was ablaze.
The flames quickly spread to two others moored alongside it, and one later sank.
Nobody is believed to have been on board the boats at the time.
Frantic efforts to move the cruising company's fleet away from the flames meant other boats were saved.
Mr Darlington, aged 73, of Oulton Road, Stone, told The Sentinel: "Someone rang us and told us our boat was in a fire so we went down there. It was a furious blaze.
"It started a couple of boats away from us, spread to the next boat, which sank, then it spread to ours. It's burnt out end to end.
"We're upset, but nobody was injured and the boat's insured, so it could have been a lot worse. Luckily our dog Jim wasn't on board at the time.
"It's ironic that the boat's taken us half-way round the world, though tornadoes, hurricanes and alligator-infested waters, then burns to death at its own mooring."
The cause of the blaze remained a mystery last night, although it is thought it may have started in the boat's engine room.
Police remained at the scene overnight and fire investigation officers are looking into the circumstances of the blaze today.
A police spokesman said: "An investigation into whether the fire was accidental or started deliberately will start in the morning when it gets light.
"It will be led by the fire and rescue service, which will get us involved if they find anything suspicious."
Fire crews started to leave the scene by 10pm. A fire brigade spokesman said: "Two pumps from Stone and one from Eccleshall were the first on the scene along with a representative from British Waterways. Two more appliances from Stafford were later deployed."
British Waterways officers are also expected at the scene this morning.
Dave Bailey, team leader, said: "We have to make sure no oil or diesel escapes into the canal."
Mr Darlington scored a hit with his first book, Narrow Boat To Carcassonne, which recounted his trip across the English Channel and through France, with his wife and his whippet Jim.
Last year he released Narrow Dog To Indian River, which told of the trio's adventures along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to Florida.
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by Colin, Grand Union Canal UK
Sunday, April 18 2010, 2:06PM
“Like many others reading about the Pyllis May, we are devastated to hear about the Fire.Through their books we feel as though weve done these fantastic journeys with them.
Terry Monica and Little jim has filled our hearts with such joy.even buying our own Narrow boat which we now live on.We couldnt comprehend losing our home in such a way.
And so Ironic that with all those memories,miles explorations the boats life is damaged in such away in their home marina.
Wishing you all the happeniss in the world on your Phyllis May 2..
Get back on the water, and please! let us, through your continued writing, share your life and boating experiances with us all
Colin Sharon timmy and Magie”
by Colin, Grand union Canal UK
Sunday, April 18 2010, 2:04PM
“Like many others reading about the Pyllis May, we are devastated to hear about the Fire.Through their books we feel as though weve done these fantastic journeys with them.
Terry Monica and Little jim has filled our hearts with such joy.even buying our own Narrow boat which we now live on.We couldnt comprehend losing our home in such a way.
And so Ironic that with all those memories,miles explorations the boats life is damaged in such away in their home marina.
Wishing you all the happeniss in the world on your Phyllis May 2..
Get back on the water, and please! let us, through your continued writing, share your life and boating experiances with us all
Colin Sharon timmy and Magie”
by colin Inns, Grand union UK
Sunday, April 18 2010, 2:03PM
“Like many others reading about the Pyllis May, we are devastated to hear about the Fire.Through their books we feel as though weve done these fantastic journeys with them.
Terry Monica and Little jim has filled our hearts with such joy.even buying our own Narrow boat which we now live on.We couldnt comprehend losing our home in such a way.
And so Ironic that with all those memories,miles explorations the boats life is damaged in such away in their home marina.
Wishing you all the happeniss in the world on your Phyllis May 2..
Get back on the water, and please! let us, through your continued writing, share your life and boating experiances with us all
Colin Sharon timmy and Magie”
by Welsh John, Toulouse
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:55PM
“Having just finished reading
Narrow dog to Carcassone.
I cried welsh tears
John ex. Driver for
NORBET DENTRESSANGLE”
by gaz, slough arm
Thursday, February 04 2010, 7:05PM
“what a tragic loss for such a well travelled and documented narrowboat..I hope Phylis May ii is a worthy replacement.”
by GAZ BEE, slough arm
Thursday, February 04 2010, 7:01PM
“what a tragic end for such a well travelled narrowboat. I hope PHYLISS MAY II continues to bring you joy.”
by Michaelle and John Geisheker, Seattle, WA
Thursday, November 26 2009, 4:25AM
“We liveaboard and have read both of the Darlington books and are heartbroken at the loss. We have spent many evenings with the Darlingtons, through their books, that we feel as if we know them. So sad!”
by Mr,n,Mrs Phyllis Degg, Cell Heath
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 9:51PM
“Ive met the Darlingtons at Festival Park Marina at the beginning of their French trip,
they moored behind us [Samantha] in the marina,we had a centre cockpit boat [blue,n,white].Mr ,n,Mrs Darlington will remember pulling an elderly gentleman out of the water after he fell in between two boats.they took the gentleman onto their boat and let him shower and they also lent him some clothes to wear,,,,IT WAS MY HUSBAND ,,and we will never ever for get that day or the help that Mr n Mrs Darlington gave my husband,,oh by the way my hubby looked like compo of the telly as Mr Darlington was a lot bigger than my hubby so the jumper and trousers had to be rolled up and we still have a good laugh about it now,,,,So to Mr ,n,Mrs Darlington oops and Jim we hope that you get back on the canals soon as we follow your trips with pride. Glad no one was hurt and good luck for the future to Mr ,n, Mrs Darlington and the other boat owners we hope things go well for you all,,,,”
by Sharon Linacre, Trent and Mersey Canal.
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 7:45PM
“I am heart sorry to hear what has happened to 3 boats at Stone. I have followed the many adventures of the Phyllis May and feel so sad. Just glad nobody was hurt and hope you are all afloat again soon.
Sharon Linacre Trent and Mersey Canal.”
by Kevin Lockie, Land locked in Derby
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 6:15PM
“So sorry to learn of this tragic event, glad to know no one (man, woman or Jim) was injured or worse.
Hope you all get afloat again soon
Best wishes,
Kevin aka Cptn Pugwash, Derby”