Canal boat people, 1840-1970
This thesis seeks to examine the social and economic standing of the men, women and children who lived and worked on the canal boats of England and Wales during the decline of canal carrying between 1840 and 1970. Its main purpose is to analyse how and why this social group, with its peculiarly anachronistic way of life and work, survived until well into the second half of the twentieth century. It discusses the range of survival strategies open to the group ranging from family, through community, voluntary agencies and the state as providers of welfare, together with the relationship between these agencies. This has involved an investigation of kinship patterns among land-based and boat-based boat families and the relationship between boat people and the rest of society. Of particular concern has been the way in which the boat community emerged as a distinctive and cohesive social group based on occupation rather than class. It has not generally been appreciated that the decline of this industry was very long and, up until the First World War, quite gradual. Thus, opportunities for enterprise and remunerative employment continued for long after the appearance of the steam locomotive. At most times throughout
Freer, Wendy
HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Canal boat people, 1840-1970. This thesis seeks to examine the social and economic standing of the men, women and children who lived and worked on the canal boats of England and Wales during the decline of canal carrying between 1840 and 1970. Its main purpose is to analyse how and why this social group, with its peculiarly anachronistic way of life and work, survived until well into the second half of the twentieth century. It discusses the range of survival strategies open to the group ranging from family, through community, voluntary agencies and the state as providers of welfare, together with the relationship between these agencies. This has involved an investigation of kinship patterns among land-based and boat-based boat families and the relationship between boat people and the rest of society. Of particular concern has been the way in which the boat community emerged as a distinctive and cohesive social group based on occupation rather than class. It has not generally been appreciated that the decline of this industry was very long and, up until the First World War, quite gradual. Thus, opportunities for enterprise and remunerative employment continued for long after the appearance of the steam locomotive. At most times throughout
canal boat people seek_examine social_economic stand men_woman child live worked canal boat england_wales decline canal main_purpose analyse social_group peculiarly anachronistic way_life work survive well discuss range survival strategy open group range family community voluntary agency state provider welfare together relationship agency involve investigation kinship pattern_among land_based boat based boat family relationship boat people rest society particular concern way boat community emerge distinctive cohesive social_group base occupation rather class generally appreciate decline industry long first_world_war quite gradual thus opportunity enterprise employment continue long appearance steam time throughout