Beyond the Breakers

Beyond The Breakers is a podcast about shipwrecks, loss, and lessons learned from maritime disasters.

Episode 155 - Drum Major

July 13, 2025 • Taylor and Tanner • Season 5 • Episode 11

This week it is the story of the narrowboat Drum Major and her 1998 foundering on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal that resulted in multiple deaths.

*there is about 19 minutes of intro in this one so skip accordingly if you want to get into things right away

Sources:

Clarke, Mike. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal: A History and Guide. Carnegie Publishing, 1994.

Farrington, J.H. “The Leeds and Liverpool Canal: A Study in Route Selection.” Area, vol. 1, no. 1, 1969, pp. 22 - 23.

“Report on the investigation of the foundering of the narrow boat Drum Major with the loss of four lives at Steg Neck lock near Gargrave, North Yorkshire on 19 August 1998.” Marine Accident Investigation Branch, 20 Dec 1999. https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/contact-and-sinking-of-narrow-boat-drum-major-while-descending-in-steg-neck-lock-on-the-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-near-gargrave-england-with-loss-of-4-live

Wainwright, Martin. "Teenager dived in vain to save four on sinking barge." The Guardian, 3 June 1999. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jun/04/martinwainwright