As early as May 1837, Duncannon had a daily paddle steamer service, connecting the village to Waterford and points onwards. The paddle steamer also was advertised to call to Arthurstown, Ballyhack, Passage and Cheekpoint. The coming of the railway in 1906 was a boon to the people of SW Wexford but it put financial pressure on the river service. The PS Vandeleur ceased running in the late summer of 1907, but by December, businesses and merchants of SW Wexford realised that transporting goods to Wellington Bridge, Ballycullane or Campile was not feasible. A new service was established and a steamer contracted. The vessel was the SS Osprey but she was underpowered and didn’t live up to expectations. A new vessel arrived in 1909, named the SS Duncannon. She gave good service up to 1917 when she was requisitioned for war duties due to the lack of available shipping. The service was never reinstated.

The following piece was published in local papers on 24th July 1909

New steamer for Waterford

The Waterford and Duncannon Steamboat Company are to be congratulated upon the arrival in this port of their handsome new steamer the aptly named “Duncannon” which arrived in the harbour soon after nine o’clock on Saturday night last.. Her entrance was heralded by the explosion from aboard of rocket-signals, and immediately after the sound of these resounded sky-high, answering beacons ashore bade welcome to the little stranger, while sirens, megaphones, and ship’s bells testified to the general rejoicing. Her trial speed over the measured mile on the Clyde took place about a week previously, when the Company was represented by Mr. James  Phelan, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mr. Wm. Poole, Managing Director, and other local gentlemen, and Mr. George Brown and Mr. Mullen were aboard in the interests of the builders. The Duncannon, we are told, behaved handsomely, and gave entire satisfaction to all concerned during her test trials. Subsequently the steamer made a trip,  after her trials which was much enjoyed, to Gare Loch on the Clyde, and during the luncheon Mr. James J. Phelan responded in felicitous terms to the toast and health of the Company, which was proposed by Mr. Brown.

SS Duncannon at Waterford. Image courtesy of Liam Ryan.

Initial Trip in home Waters.

On Thursday a goodly company assembled on the decks of the handsome little steamer at the invitation of the directors to participate in the pleasure of her first public trip from the Quay of Waterford to Dunmore East. The weather was delightful, and as the gaily-dressed boat steamed from the Quay her departure was witnessed  by a large crowd of citizens. The party on board; who were delighted with-their experience, had an opportunity of learning some highly interesting details as to the steamer. She is 130 ft. long by 20 ft.6 in, beam and 9 ft  depth, moulded with elliptical stern. She has special accommodation tor fore cabin passengers, the.entrance to which is from a handsome vestibule on deck. The after-cabins entered from the deck through a teak wood companion way fitted over the stairway. The seats in the cabins are of the latticed description, with room underneath for life-belts. The steel work of the ship in the cabins is cork-dusted and painted, leaving the frames and plates open for inspection and painting, so as to prevent corrosion taking place.

There is a large clear space on the fore deck fitted up for the carrying of cattle, and also a good-sized hold for cargo, with a suitable steam hoisting arrangement. The engines are of the high pressure compound surface condensing type supplied by steam of 1301bs. per square inch from a very large single ended boiler and developed 280 I.H.P. She has a very large airy engine room and stoke hold, while spacious accommodation tor saloon passengers is provided on the bridge deck which is fitted up with two lifeboats. Access is given to this deck by three companion ladders, two aft and one forward. The vessel also contains large roomy alleyways, equipped with seats, inside of which life-belts are placed. For towing large or small vessels the  Duncannon is possessed of all the necessary gear, and taking all round she is a smart looking and up-to-date vessel. measured mile th.

The Voyage

At eleven o’clock the Duncannon slipped her cables, so to speak, having previously taken on board the directors and their friends, amongst whom it was pleasant to note a number of the fair sex, and Captain Cotter, on the bridge, signalled that we were outward bound. The weather was good, but the sea was a bit ” choppy” and not by any means ideal for a while, but it was just such as enabled the vessel to show her good sea-going qualities OK an exsursoin boat and proved without doubt her marked superiority over her predecessors—to whom all honour is due.

They served their day and time, and, like most other reminiscences, are of the the past. There were on board—Mr.J.K J. Phelan, Chairman of the Company; Mr. William Poole, Managing Director ; Mr. A. Parker ; Alderman M. E. Young, E. White. R. Coad, Messrs. Fanning, Dr. Mackesy, E. Walsh, Munster Express; John Hearne, T.C. : H. L. Ward. John Aylward, T. Doolan (Messrs. T. and H. Doolan). Robert Walley, Standard; E. Downey, junr., Waterford News, Mr. Browne, A. C. Lavelle, C.E. Messrs Robertson. etc. The steamer touched at Passage,Cheekpoint and Ballyhack, and at each of these “ports of call” embarked  a contingent of ladies and gentlemen who mingled with their voyagers and impressions of the steamer were very gratifying, indeed.

From Dunmore to Waterford.

Luncheon was served in the Malcomson Hall, Mr. Greer, being the caterer. On the homeward trip the Company assembled in the saloon and Mr. James Phelan presided at an impromptu meeting, whereupon Mr.Jack Wallace of Arthurstown. proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and directors for providing such a  pleasing excursion for all on board, and the speaker complimented the company upon their enterprise in opening up and developing this service, and bringing it to such a success as to enable them to build the fine steamer that was now so gallantly carrying them over the waters  of one of the finest harbours on the Irish coast. Mr. William Wallace seconded the motion in a few fitting remarks, and endorsed all that had been said by the previous speaker. Mr. Phelan responded on behalf of the directors and himself, and in doing so paid a special tribute of praise to Mr. William Poole,

whose practical help had done so much towards promoting these inter trading facilities between the city and counties of Waterford, Kilkenny, and Wexford. Mr. Poole also spoke and thanked the Chairman and those present for the kindly manner in which they had referred to him. Personally he was pleased that the Duncannon  had proved all that had been expected of her, The Board of Trade Inspector, we may add, had already congratulated Mr. Poole and wished the steamer every success. Mr  William Ward, Duncannon, on the part of the people of the County Wexford, also joined in the vote of thanks to the directors for establishing the service, and was supported by Mr. Heery. Duncannon and Mr.Forristal, the latter gentleman remarking that he believed the directors had a prosperous future before them. The steamer arrived at the Quay shortly after seven o’clock, after a trip which will be long remembered with pleasure by all who had the opportunity of its enjoyable experiences.

My thanks to Fintan Walsh for forwarding this piece to me.

Newspaper advertisement Dec 1907

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