Steam Barge, 'Knocknagow' - Was it built in Leith?

Also known as 'Knocknagow II' or 'The Little Knock' or 'The Little Tug'

Steam Barge

'Knocknagow'

Brian J Goggin from Limerick in the mid-west of Ireland writes:

The River Suir

Ireland

I have recently bought a boat called the 'Knocknagow', which I believe began trading between Waterford and Carrick-on-Suir, on the River Suir in the south-east of Ireland, in 1912.

It both carried goods itself and acted as a tug for the un-powered lighters used on the estuary. Its beam is 12', but I understand that a wooden fender extended this to 12' 6". Draught is about 4' 6" and I understand the boat was originally steam-powered.

Gravel Trade
and
Pleasure Boat

The boat was later used in the gravel trade on both the Suir and the Slaney, with an excavator on the bow. In 1975 it was saved from the scrap yard, shortened to 61' so that it would fit the Irish Grand Canal, re-plated and converted for use as a private pleasure-boat.

Its superstructure and interior were remodelled several times and it was fitted with two masts (which did not survive), a hydraulic centreboard (which did) and a 36'-wide square sail. I have now brought it to the River Shannon.

Built in Scotland?

Leith?

I would like to trace where the boat came from. I have been told that it was probably built around 1900.

I have found the word "SCOTLAND" in capitals, about 3/4 in. high on the stern, to the starboard of the centre line. There might be another word in front of it . It might be "LEITH".

Brian J Goggin, Limerick, Ireland: January 28, 2009

Question

If you know where this steam barge might have been built, please e-mail me and I will pass on your message to the barge's owner, Brian J Goggin.

Thank you.

The boat in the small photograph below is another boat named 'Knocknagow'. It is also known as 'Knocknagow I, despite being newer than "Knocknagow II", the boat in the large image above, bought by Brian J Goggin.

'Knocknagow I'

Reply

Michael Kerwick

Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary

Thank you to Michael Kerwick who wrote:

"I am from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. In my childhood the Knocknagow barges were going between Carrick and Waterford.

This page from the Irish Waterways History web site includes a photograph of Knocknagow, and an account of a journey down the middle Suir from Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford.

This Carrick-on-Suir web site has more information about the town, including photos and a map.

The Knocknagow was sold in 1973 to a family called Millers from Wexford. They cut it down to fit the canals.

Michael Kerwick, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, Ireland: August 17, 2010