People may think barges are boring but I disagree. Watch the video of the one I found in Alton-60 feet long, had tools on board, a cement mixer driven by a very very old internal combustion engine, a stack of concrete bags 7 high and more.
You never know what you'll find on one or in one. And the construction is remarkable.
This one is south of the exit point of the channel.
http://youtu.be/tCeP-PyOxpE
43 35.718N / 71 27.835W