Saturn Flyboat

These boats were known for their speed and played a critical role in transporting goods swiftly across the waterways during Britain’s canal heyday. Fly-boats like Saturn were horse-drawn and operated day and night to provide an express delivery service. Saturn carried cargoes such as cheese, agricultural produce and a variety of other goods on the Shropshire Union Canal system and adjacent waterways.

Saturn worked as a fly boat until 1921 and then became a general cargo boat on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. By 1955, Saturn's cargo carrying days were over; she was sold to be converted to a pleasure boat, carrying passengers on canal cruising holidays. By being moored at Ellesmere Yard, Saturn breathes life into the Yard’s story, enhancing its role as a heritage hub and offering visitors an authentic glimpse into its canal-based history. Saturn’s presence enriches the heritage experience at the Yard, linking the site’s past with its present role in preserving Britain’s canal history.

After years in service, Saturn was restored in 2005 by the Shropshire Union Fly Boat Restoration Society  as a unique example of a fly-boat. Saturn is now managed by this small volunteer-led charity. From April to September, Saturn travels around the north west waterways for school visits and public events. When not on tour Saturn is moored at Ellesmere Yard, adding a vibrant, living connection to the Yard’s industrial history. This mooring provides visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with the area's heritage, as Saturn serves not only as a historic reminder but also as an educational tool. It functions as a floating classroom, inviting local schools and visitors to step aboard and experience the lives of canal families during the Industrial Revolution.  

Saturn is lovingly preserved by the dedicated volunteers of the Shropshire Union Fly Boat Restoration Society. The Society is always on the lookout for new volunteers who are passionate about helping to maintain Saturn, or assist with events and outreach programmes. There are also opportunities to help with moving Saturn around the canal system. If you're interested in getting involved, visit their website to learn more about how you can help.