Starling was built by W. J. Yarwood and Sons on the River Weaver in the 1930s for the chemical manufacturers W. H. Cowburn and Cowpar of Manchester. Unlike many of the other 'Cowpar' boats, Starling was built with a conventional rounded counter. Due to the decline in carrying traffic, Cowburn and Cowpar began selling off some of its craft. Starling was sold to Mellor Mineral Mills in Stoke-on-Trent for use in carrying pottery materials during the early 1950s. After passing ownerships several times she was purchased by Sam Merrill, who shortened Starling, removed the original Gardner 4VT and added a conversion over the hold.
