''Knocker White'' is a Dutch-built

tugboat A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, su ...

, currently preserved as a museum ship at

Trinity Buoy Wharf Trinity Buoy Wharf is the site of a lighthouse, by the confluence of the River Thames and Bow Creek on the Leamouth Peninsula, Poplar. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The lighthouse no longer functions, but is the home of ...

. She was built in 1924 by T. van Duivendijk,

Lekkerkerk Lekkerkerk is a town and former municipality on the Lek River, now part of the municipality of Krimpenerwaard, South Holland province, the Netherlands. Since 1 January 1985 Lekkerkerk is no longer an independent municipality. Lekkerkerk is mos ...

, Netherlands for Harrisons Lighterage Company, under the name ''Cairnrock''. She was steam powered and was used for general towing work. She was later acquired by W. E. White & Sons,

Rotherhithe Rotherhithe () is a district of south-east London, England, and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping, Shadwell and Limehouse on the north bank, as well as the Isle of D ...

, and in 1960 was renamed ''Knocker White'', the nickname of one of the White family. She was refitted at some point, which involved modifications to her funnel and wheelhouse, and the installation of diesel engines by

Petters Limited Petters Limited (known as JB Petter & Sons of Yeovil until 1910), were a maker of stationary petrol and diesel engines from 1896 onwards.Petter, Percival. ''The Story of Petters Limited'' (Westbury: David Edgington, 1989) In 1915 Petter founded ...

. She was sold for scrap in November 1982, but in 1984 was acquired by the

Museum of London Docklands The Museum of London Docklands (formerly known as Museum in Docklands), based in West India Quay, explains the history of the River Thames, the growth of Port of London and the docks historical link to the Atlantic slave trade. The museum is pa ...

. In 2016 ''Knocker White'' was acquired by Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, and after a stay at

West India Quay West India Quay is an area in the London Docklands, London, England. It is immediately to the north of the West India Docks and Canary Wharf. The warehouse at West India Quay was used to store imported goods from the West Indies, such as tea, sug ...

, she has moved to

. She is registered on the National Register of Historic Ships by

National Historic Ships National Historic Ships UK is a government-funded independent organisation that advises UK governments and others on matters relating to historic ships.

, with certificate number 2292.

External links

Thames Tugs - Knocker White

Geograph - Knocker White, West India dock

References

Ships built in the Netherlands Steam tugs Ships and vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels Museum ships in the United Kingdom 1924 ships {{UK-transport-stub