Wednesday 18th November
Paul Barnett
Purton Ships Graveyard
One hundred years ago erosion of the banks of the Upper Severn threatened the collapse of local canals, so eighty small ships were run aground to give stability and reinforcement. The Friends of Purton have researched many of the craft and help preserve the thirty still above ground. Their Chairman, Paul Barnett, illustrates and tells of the boats, their backgrounds, crews and travels. Further information can be found at the Friends of Purton website.
Maps:
This is a link to the location of the Boat Graveyard – notice the narrow strip of land between the Severn and the canal
This zoomed in map shows the concrete barges