Blackthorn is one of many 45ft Fast Re-fuellers built in Southampton by Vosper Ltd from 1938 to 1944. A galvanised riveted steel hull with a hard chine. These craft were used for refuelling the flying boats and tending to other marine craft during World War ll.
Blackthorn was stationed in Castle Archdale and was used on Lower Lough Erne by the RAF. With all holding tanks filled to capacity she could carry a total of 2,500 gallons of aviation fuel and 200 gallons of engine oil.
The original engines in these boats were built by the Ferry Engine Company, however, Blackthorn currently has a single Ford Thames Trader engine marinised by Parsons Barracuda. She was designed for twin screws and all her sister ships are fitted with twin engines.
We are unsure if she served with twin engines and was converted to the single engine after the war.
Following the war Blackthorn was sold to the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and was used on Lough Neagh.
The duration of time is uncertain as is how long she was lying on the Grand Canal before I saw her. When spotted her fantastic hull on the Grand Canal in Hazelhatch I fell in love with it and bought it from Gay Boylan. That was in May 1985 and we did most of the conversion work on site. I became aware of two sister ships on the Shannon, Eamon Egan’s Hawthorn and Tim Keane’s Whitethorn and I thought I would add to the “thorn” fleet hence the name Blackthorn"
With the ambition that she would be used for holidays during the summer and renovated during the winter she made her maiden voyage to the Shannon and back to Hazelhatch in May 1986.
In order to prepare for the journey, specialist improvisations were necessary such as a chain of coat- hangers between the steering position and the gearbox enabled the skipper to select forward and reverse. The crew quarters were very basic and consisted of camp beds and sleeping bags for the accommodation of 2 adults, 2 children and a dog. Luxury items were few and far between and it was not until reaching Tullamore that the cooker was bought, that kept the crew quiet for a few hours! This trip has fond memories of non-stop rain, a windowless spot-welded leaking superstructure and more plastic bags than you could ever shake a boat hook at. But it was a testament to her crew and the little ship she has become
In 1994 after winning the cup at the Dublin Rally Blackthorn was one of five cruisers (Ringsend Raiders) who made the momentous first journey from Ringsend in Dublin to Beleek in Co. Fermanagh via the newly reopened Shannon-Erne waterway.
Making this arduous journey, returning once again to where she served the RAF on her 50th anniversary. While partaking in the first Shannon-Erne rally she won the best kept boat cup of the rally, which ensured Fran was kept busy with the silver polish.
In recent years a bow thruster has been fitted as the current crew are getting old and reluctant to do their job, although it doesn't affect their music and fun.
In the winter of 2005-2006 we replaced the old cable steering arrangement with a hydraulic system allowing for the addition of an outside steering station on the rear deck.
Mick & Fran Clinton
Submission to Fine Lines Clear Water HBA Publication 2009
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