Saturn is the last surviving wooden Shropshire Union “Fly-boat”, built in Chester in 1906. Her job was to rush cheese and produce, fresh from the farms of Cheshire and Shropshire, to the markets of the industrial towns and cities, running 24 hours, day & night.
Saturn has been expertly restored to again grace the canals of North West England, a beautiful and unique craft, and still sometimes pulled along by a horse!
Saturn is real canal heritage on the move,
on her way to a school or waterways event near to you!
Saturn NEWS
The Saturn 2024 AGM will be held on Saturday March 30th 2024 at 11.30
in the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.
Saturn & Flyboats
The express delivery service of their day!
Fly-boats had fine lines to slide easily thorough water.
The fly-boat boatmen were a specially selected elite, working around the clock.
The horses were specially picked too, and changed for fresh ones every few hours.
More about Saturn
More about Fly-boats
More about Horse boating
How to see Saturn
Saturn has been restored to be seen and enjoyed.
Schools can arrange visits when children can explore Saturn and our friendly volunteers will explain about her history.
More about Schools visits
Canal events. Saturn visits canal rallies and events across North West canals from March to October each year.
More about Canal eventsCome and help!
Become a volunteer, a member or a sponsor!
More Volunteers are always welcome at events and helping to move Saturn.
More about Volunteering
Become a Member of the Saturn Society.
More about Membership
Sponsors help us to keep Saturn afloat & maintained.
More about Sponsorship