Purton Hulks

The Purton Hulks or Purton Ships' Graveyard[1] is a number of abandoned boats and ships, deliberately beached beside the River Severn near Purton in Gloucestershire, England, to reinforce the river banks. Most were beached in the 1950s and are now in a state of considerable decay. The site forms the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain.[2]

The remains of the Severn Collier (2014)

A riverbank collapse in 1909 led to concerns that the barrier between the river and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal would be breached. Old vessels were run aground and soon filled with water and silt to create a tidal erosion barrier. The vessels included steel barges, Severn trows and concrete ships. The boats came from throughout the British Isles and were built in the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th.

Since 2000, archaeological investigations have been undertaken to find out more about the vessels and their states of decay. Explanatory labels have been provided. One barge has been scheduled as an ancient monument and several are included in the National Register of Historic Vessels.

History

Concrete barges on the foreshore

Purton lies on the southern bank of the River Severn about 12 mile (1 km) north of the port of Sharpness. The Severn is the longest river in the United Kingdom, at about 220 miles (354 km)[3][4] and, with an average discharge of 107 m3/s (3,800 cu ft/s) at Apperley, Gloucestershire, it is the greatest river in terms of water flow in England and Wales.[5]

The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

At the site of the Purton Hulks there is less than 50 metres (160 ft) of land between the river and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal (or Gloucester and Berkeley Canal). The 26.5-kilometre-long (16.5 mi) canal was dug between Gloucester and Sharpness; for much of its length it runs close to the tidal River Severn, but cuts off a significant loop in the river, at a once-dangerous bend near Arlingham. It was once the broadest and deepest canal in the world.[6] Conceived in the Canal Mania period of the late 18th century, the Gloucester and Berkeley Ship Canal scheme was authorised by a 1793 Act of Parliament.[7]

The canal opened in April 1827, having cost £440,000 (equivalent to £41,000,000 in 2021) in the course of its construction.[8] The flood plain of the Severn hereabouts is very flat and so the elevation of the canal does not require any rise over its length. Outside the dock areas at each end, there are no locks.[9] This encouraged the use of the canal for ships larger than on most other British canals, although there were a number of swing bridges to negotiate. As opened the canal was 86+12 feet (26.4 m) wide, 18 feet (5.5 m) deep and could take craft of up to 600 tons.[8] In 1905 traffic exceeded one million tons for the first time.[10] Oil was added to the list of cargoes carried by the canal, with bulk oil carriers taking fuel to storage tanks sited to the south of Gloucester.[11]

Coastal defences

Stern of a ferro-cement barge

The stretch of canal from Sharpness to Purton runs very close to the river. At a high spring tide they were separated by little more than the width of the towpath. The canal also has no locks, and owing to its width, not even any stop locks. Any damage to the canal bank could thus render the entire canal unnavigable.

In 1909, following a collapse in the bank of the river,[12] the canal company's chief engineer Mr A. J. Cullis called for old vessels to be run aground along the bank of the Severn, near Purton, to create a makeshift tidal erosion barrier to reinforce the narrow strip of land between the river and canal.[13] Barges, trows and schooners were "hulked" at high tide, by towing them from the dock at Sharpness and releasing them to be carried up the bank on the tide. Holes were then made in their hulls so that they filled with water, and over time silt has been laid down inside them.[13]

More boats have been added, including the schooner Katherine Ellen which was impounded in 1921 for running guns to the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the Kennet Canal barge Harriett, and ferrocement barges built in World War II.[14] The last boat was beached in 1965.[15] The ground level has built up over the years and some of the more recent additions are lying on top of those which had been beached earlier.[13]

Preservation

In 1999, a local maritime historian, Paul Barnett, commenced a privately funded research project which saw the site's 86 vessels recorded and recognised as the largest ships' graveyard in mainland Britain.[16] The Nautical Archaeology Society investigated the site in 2008 as part of its Diving into History Project,[17][18] and carried out laser scanning of the remains.[19] In 2010, British Waterways took control of the site in an attempt to protect it.[20][12][21]

The only known surviving Kennet barge, Harriett, which was beached at Purton in 1964, has been scheduled as an ancient monument[22] and included in the National Register of Historic Vessels,[23] as are several ferro concrete barges. The remains of the vessels are not covered by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, as they are not on the seabed. But some of the other vessels may not be eligible for scheduling as ancient monuments, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, because they are not inland.[24] The issue and the responsibility of various statutory bodies in their protection was debated in the House of Commons in 2009.[25]

Vessels

Fell's design of knees on Dispatch

The wooden vessels include examples of the Severn trow. Several concrete ships can also be seen at the site; these are built of steel and ferrocement (reinforced concrete).

Dispatch is notable for its use of, and the sole surviving remains of, Fell's Patent Knees. These were a patent innovation from 1839 by Jonathan Fell of Workington, Cumberland,[26] and were part of the development of the iron and wood composite hull. Ships before this had been built from oak, where the strong curved brackets needed to join the deck into the hull side frames could be found as naturally grown 'knees' from the angles between major branches and the trunk. In the post-Nelsonic era there was a general shortage of shipbuilding timber, particularly oak, one of the few species with strong enough branch attachments to provide knees.

Dispatch's hull is of pine, which has weak branches. A number of iron substitutes were developed, Fell's design being one of the later and more advanced forms. It had two advantages over earlier rigid-forged patterns: it provided a degree of flexibility in storms and, most significantly, could be stressed after the hull had been constructed and launched or even loaded, when the hull was under its working load.[27] Together with the diagonal iron strapping,[28] this rendered Dispatch's hull particularly strong and had allowed her to endure at least two collisions.[29]

List of vessels which make up the Purton Hulks[30]
Name Photo Type/Material Built Beached Included in NRHV Notes
AbbeyAbbeyDock lighter1900 by Joseph Barnard of Gloucester1956 No85 feet (26 m) long and with a breadth of 19 feet (5.8 m).[31] Hull damaged by fire since 2002.[32]
AdaAdaSchooner (Bristol Dandy)1869 by Thomas Gardner of Bristol1956NoThe original masts were removed in 1930 and she became a towed barge and then a floating garbage hold. Since beaching, has been damaged by arson.[33][34]
AlaskaWoodc.1880 by Robert Davies of Saul1939NoOriginally owned by Gloucester pilots.[35]
Arkendale HArkendale H and Wastdale HSteel barge19371960NoOne of two barges which hit the Severn Railway Bridge in fog on 25 October 1960.[36] Two spans of the 22-span steel and cast iron bridge collapsed into the river. Parts of the structure hit the barges, causing the fuel oil and petroleum they were carrying to catch fire; five people died in the incident.
Barge AbbeyWooden barge ? by Joseph Barnard, Gloucesterc.1951No84 feet (26 m) long.[37]
BarnwoodSteel barge1913 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledorec.1973NoGross 59.04 ton Net 56.04 ton[38]
BarryDock lighterPre 1920s by Joseph Barnard, Gloucesterc.1951NoGross 59.04 ton Net 56.04 ton B.D[39]
BritanniaBritanniaTrow1878 by Fredrick Charles Hipwood, Gloucester1944NoGross 33.71 ton Net 28.36 ton [40]
BirdlipSteel barge1915 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledore1972No85 feet (26 m) long. Gross 59.04 ton Net 56.04 ton B.D[41]
Briton FerrySteam grab dredger crane and wood pontoon1903 by Neath Harbour Commission & (crane) Priestman Bros. of Hull and Londonc.1957NoUsed as a dredger and crane by Neath Harbour Board and then Gloucester Docks Board.[42]
Brockworth Steel barge 1913 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledorec.1972No85 feet (26 m) long.[43]
Cam1905 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledorec.1973No84 feet (26 m) long. Breadth 19 feet (5.8 m).[44]
Catherine Ellen (Katherine Ellen)Catherine EllenSchooner (2 masted wooden)1862 by White of Waterford, Ireland1952NoInvolved in the Irish War of Independence in 1921.[45]
CranhamNo
Dispatch/New DispatchDispatchSchooner (two-masted wooden)1888 by Garmouth James & John Geddie, Kingston on Spey1961NoOriginally a 120-ton vessel which was 90 feet (27 m) long, it was rebuilt in Gloucester in 1939 and the name changed.[29][28]
DursleyDursleyDock lighter1926 by Joseph Barnard of Gloucesterc.1963NoLocal timber carrier.[46]
Edith"Edith"Trow1901 by William Hurd, Chepstowc.1962NoTransported coal from the Forest of Dean to Bristol, Chepstow and Bridgwater.[47][48][49]
EnvoyEnvoyStroudwater bargeNo
FCB 51 Ferrocement barge 1941 by Wates Building Group Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness 1965No[50]
FCB 521965Yes[51]Built in World War II to provide port lighterage and floating storage facilities in a time when wood and steel were in short supply.[52] In 1990 the boat was removed from Purton by the Gloucester Waterways Museum. She was at Marshfield until 2012 when she was reported sunk.[51]
FCB 67FCB 671962Yes[53][54]
FCB 68FCB 681962Yes[55][56]
FCB 75FCB 751965Yes[57][58]
FCB 761965Yes[59][60]
FCB 77FCB 771965Yes[61][62]
FCB 78FCB 781965Yes[63][64]
Forty Ton FlatNo
GlenbyGlenbyStroudwater bargeNo
Guide (Shamrock)Schooner (Wood Brigantine)1854 by Holman & Kelly, Dartmouth1950No[65]
HarriettHarriettWooden Kennet barge1905 by Robbins, Lane and Pinnegar of Honeystreet, Pewsey1964Yes[23]Scheduled as an ancient monument.[22]
HigreHigreTrow1876 by Samuel Hipwood, Gloucester1965No[66][67]
Hopper No6No
HuntleyHuntleyNo
Island Maid (Orby)Island Maid (Orby)Schooner1863 by William Hole Shilston & Co, Plymouth1945NoTraded with Spain and Mediterranean ports. The wreck was largely destroyed by scrap metal dealers in 1953.[68]
J&ARSevern trow1894 Saul1950sNo[69]
JonadabJonadabSevern trow, converted to a motor barge in 19481848 NewportNo[70]
Lighter No. 6 Steel barge 1902 by A. W. Robertson & Co, Londonc.1972No[71]
Lighter No. 91902 by A. W. Robertson & Co, Londonc.1972No[72]
Lighter No. 201928 by Charles Hill & Sons of Bristolc.1973No[73]
Lighter No. 23c.1976No[74]
Lighter No. 321928 by Charles Hill & Sons of Bristolc.1976No[75]
Mary AnnMary Ann1870 GloucesterNo[76]
Mary of BrimscombeNo
Mary of TruroNo
MatsonSteel barge1924 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledorec.1972No[77]
MonarchMonarchSevern trow1890 GloucesterNo[78]
NewarkNewarkWooden barge1896 by Joseph Barnard, Gloucesterc.1956No[79]
PetrusPetrusNo
PrioryStroudwater bargeNo
RockbyRockbyStroudwater bargec.1890s by Joseph Barnard, Gloucester1946NoMost of remains underground.[80]
Sally (King)Sally (King)SchoonerPossibly 1884 in Middlesbrough1951NoLittle known about the ship's history.[81]
SandhurstSteel barge1924 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledorec.1972No[82]
Sarah MacDonald (Voltaic)Sarah MacDonaldNo
Selina Jane1872 BridgwaterNo[83]
Severn CollierSevern CollierWooden screw barge19371965NoOriginally motorised and later converted into a towed barge.[84]
Severn ConveyorSteel tank barge1930 by Charles Hill & Sons, Bristolc.1970No[85]
Severn Eagle 'Bird' class steel barge 1935 by Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol1972No[86]
Severn Falcon1935 by Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol1974No[87]
Severn Hawk1935 by Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol1972No[88]
Severn KingSteel Screw Car Ferry1935 by Beverley, Woodward & Scarr, Yorkshire1970NoUsed on the Aust Ferry. Withdrawn 1966. In 1970 this boat was in use to support the demolition of the damaged Severn Railway Bridge, when it collided with one of the bridge piers and was damaged. It was then beached and cut up for scrap.[89][90][91]
Society Stroudwater barge No
TirleyTirleyNo
TribuneNo
TuffleySteel barge1916 by Robert Cock & Sons, Richmond Dock, Appledore1972No[92]
VictoriaNo
Wastdale HArkendale H and Wastdale HSteel motor barge1951 by Sharpness Shipyard Ltd, Sharpness1960NoOne of two barges which hit the Severn Railway Bridge in fog on 25 October 1960.[93] Two spans of the 22-span steel and cast iron bridge collapsed into the river. Parts of the structure hit the barges causing the fuel oil and petroleum they were carrying to catch fire; five people died in the incident.

References

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  91. Huxley (1984), pp. 144–148.
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Bibliography

  • Barnett, Louis Paul (2020). Fore and Aft: Lost Ships of the Severn Sea. Gloucestershire: Friends of Purton.
  • Barefoot, Ian; Barnett, Paul; McNeil, Euan (2009). "Purton Hulks Recording Project 2008" (PDF). The Nautical Archaeology Society.
  • Green, Colin (1999). Severn Traders. Black Dwarf Publications. ISBN 978-0953302826.
  • Conway-Jones, Hugh (2013). The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Through Time. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-1289-8.
  • Hadfield, Charles (1967). The Canals of South West England. David & Charles. ISBN 978-0715341766.
  • Huxley, Ron (1984). The rise and fall of the Severn Bridge Railway. ISBN 978-1-84868-033-3.
  • Jordan, Christopher (1977). Severn Enterprise. Arthur H Stockwell. ISBN 978-0722309674.
  • Mote, Gordon (1986). The Westcountrymen: Ketches & Trows of the Bristol Channel. Badger Books. ISBN 0-946290-12-1.

51°44′09″N 2°27′27″W

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