Kildare (narrowboat)

Kildare is an un-powered butty boat constructed with wrought iron sides and an elm bottom. She was built for Fellows Morton & Clayton around 1913 by Braithwaite & Kirk of West Bromwich to be towed behind a powered craft like President. She is complete with a fully fitted boatman's living cabin and traditional covering cloths over the main hold area.

NB President and Kildare - Soulbury Locks

Kildare at the Black Country Museum
History
Name	Kildare
Owner	Fellows Morton & Clayton
Operator	Fellows Morton & Clayton
Builder	Braitwaite & Kirk
Cost	£190 (equivalent to £19,900 in 2021)[1]
Launched	1913
Name	Snipe
Owner	Willow Wren Canal Carrying Company
Acquired	1957
Name	Kildare
Owner	Warwickshire Fly Boats
Name	Kildare
Owner	Black Country Living Museum
Acquired	1991
Homeport	Lord Ward's Arm Dudley Canal
General characteristics
Type	Narrowboat[2]
Length	71.60 ft (21.82 m)[2]
Beam	6.11 ft (1.86 m)
Draught	3.4 ft (1.0 m)[2]
Installed power	Towed

She continued to trade for Fellows Morton & Clayton until she was sold in 1948 to Ernie Thomas.[2] Later she entered service in 1957 with Willow Wren Canal Carrying Company as Snipe. There were two more changes of ownership as Snipe, when she reverted to her original name on joining Warwickshire Fly Boat's fleet.[2]

In 1991 she was obtained by the Black Country Living Museum, where it is based and can be seen dockside in the Lord Ward's Canal Arm at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley when she is not out on the canal system with President .

The boat is maintained and operated by Friends of President on behalf of the Black Country Living Museum.[3]

Kildare is on the National Historic Ships register.[2]

In 1992 she paired with President on a 257-mile journey through Cheshire and Staffordshire to raise money for orphaned children in Romania.[4]