With the completion of the Lower Bann Navigation, the way was now open for the development of river traffic between Lough Neagh and Coleraine.The only serious attempt to establish a regular service along the Lower Bann stemmed from the establishment of the Lower Bann Steamship Company by Thomas Barklie in 1862. The following year, Harland & Wolff built steamer Kitty of Coleraine to commenced a twice-weekly passenger and goods service between Coleraine and Toome.

Unfortunately, with an engine of only 10hp (7kW), Kitty proved not powerful enough to go against the current at times of high water.

 

The vessel is named after a well-known Irish folk song believed to have been penned as a poem by Edward Lysaght in the early 1800s.