Name Iona

IONA is a horse-drawn vessel built in 1935 as BELLERPHON by Harland and Woolf for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company. She is a small Woolwich Star Class Butty originally paired with BOOTES, carrying coal, lime juice, chocolate crumb and steel billets. From 1958 to 1963, she was paired with BANSTEAD and during this time was used for the film 'The Barge' starring Harry H Corbett, Ronnie Barker, and Eric Sykes. In 1963, she was bought at Hillmorton Locks for the Shropshire Union Cruises to replace the old wooden IONA, and was renamed at this time. From 1968 to 1969, she was converted to a trip boat and appeared in an episode of Coronation Street. Between 1969 - 1985, she worked as a horse drawn trip boat at Norbury Junction. In 1985, she was taken by lorry to the Wey navigation at Godalming to work as a horse-drawn trip boat, as she does today. IONA's traditional painting has been retained. She is fitted with a tea bar in the shell of the boatman's cabin, and has seating for 48 passengers. 

As of August 2020, IONA was on loan to the Tiverton Canal Company of Tiverton in Devon. They now own and operate the vessel for public trips and private hire, along with TIVERTONIAN, another horse-drawn barge.