Vital Spark Returns To The Home Of The Puffer For 150th Anniversary

27 November 2007

One of the last remaining Clyde puffers will sail back to the birthplace of the puffer, The Forth & Clyde Canal, on Monday, December 3 rd to mark the 150 year anniversary of the iconic vessel.

The 'Vital Spark', one of only five surviving puffers in Scotland, whose namesake appeared in the popular Para Handy books and television series, will be the first of its kind to sail into Bowling Harbour for over 40 years.

The impressive boat, which is on permanent loan to the Inveraray Maritime Museum , will be moored in the harbour alongside The Wee Spark - a one-third scale replica puffer - until Saturday, December 8 th in celebration of the vital role the puffer played in transporting goods around Scotland

Richard Millar, Business Development Manager, British Waterways Scotland said: "This is a hugely significant milestone for the Lowland Canals and illustrates the rich history and heritage of this wonderful waterway. The industrial heyday of the canals, in which the puffer played such an important part, may be long gone but it has certainly not been forgotten. The Lowland canals have been transformed over the past few years and it is important that the many thousands of people who are now discovering the many delights of the waterways for the first time understand just how important these ribbons of light were to Scotland's growth over the past two hundred years."

Named after the distinct 'puffing' sound emitted by the non-condensing steam engines that powered them, the Clyde puffers were originally designed to fit the locks of The Forth & Clyde and Crinan canals, and later developed to withstand the elements out at sea.

The ' Glasgow ', built at Swan's boatyard at Kelvin Dock, Maryhill, was the first to be completed on December 3 rd , 1857, intended for service between Glasgow and Leith .

Approximately 230 puffers were constructed by boatyards along the Forth & Clyde Canal with the last boat built in Kelvin Docks in 1921. The last canal built puffer was 'Chindit' launched at Kirkintilloch in 1945.

One of the most important characteristics of the puffer was its ability to beach, which allowed it to supply settlements otherwise near impossible to reach.

During both World Wars the puffer played a vital role as fleet tenders for the Navy and delivering goods to remote communities around the country. The government also adopted the puffer design in World War II for its Victualling Inshore Craft (VIC) boats.

But by the late 1940s the steam puffer was becoming uneconomical. Many were converted to diesel propulsion or scrapped, with the last commercial vessel finally decommissioned in 1967. However, diesel-powered vessels continued to operate, with the 'Vital Spark' - one of the last true working puffers - operating commercially until 1995.

Guthrie Hutton, canal historian and author of 'Puffers', said: "The puffer was the lifeblood of Scotland 's canals, prolonging their usefulness long after many other inland waterways had closed. They made trade and commerce a reality for the west of Scotland , ensuring coal and supplies could reach even the smallest community. I would encourage everyone to come and visit the 'Vital Spark' and help celebrate the 150 th anniversary of these uniquely Scottish vessels, endeared to so many by the wonderful stories of Para Handy."

ENDS

Issued on behalf of British Waterways Scotland by Wave PR. For more information contact Chris Bell on Tel: 0141 303 8390 Mob: 07974 692 330 or Alison Jack on Tel: 0141 303 8390 Mob: 07803 137 262.