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Sunday, 2 December 2007, 18:34 GMT

Historic puffer returns to canal

The Vital Spark One of the last remaining Clyde puffers has returned to its birthplace, to mark the 150th anniversary of the vessel.

The Vital Spark - one of only five remaining puffers in Scotland - moored on the Forth and Clyde canal.

It sailed into Bowling Harbour in Dunbartonshire - the first visit from a puffer in 40 years. It will stay there until the weekend.

The Vital Spark's namesake appeared in the popular Para Handy books and television series.

About 230 puffers were built by boatyards along the Forth and Clyde canal, with the last one constructed in Kelvin Docks in 1921.

The vessels were named after the distinct puffing sound made by the non-condensing steam engines which powered them.

Steam puffers played an important part in the industrial heyday of the canals and had a vital role during both World Wars, acting as fleet tenders for the Navy and delivering goods to remote communities around the country.

But by the late 1940s, it was becoming uneconomical.

Many were converted to diesel propulsion or scrapped, with the last commercial vessel finally decommissioned in 1967.

The Vital Spark

However, diesel-powered vessels continued to operate, with the Vital Spark one of the last true working puffers operating commercially until 1995.

Richard Millar, business development manager for 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."

Canal historian, Guthrie Hutton, 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 150th anniversary of these uniquely Scottish vessels, endeared to so many by the wonderful stories of Para Handy."

The Vital Spark is on permanent loan to the Inveraray Maritime Museum.



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RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Inveraray Maritime Museum
British Waterways Scotland
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