The Purton Hulks
In the early 1900's the City of Gloucester was a major transport hub, having excellent links to the outside world both via the River Severn and a fine network of canals, including the mighty Sharpness to Gloucester Canal - a veritable M1 of water-based transport.
These two ran close together near the village of Purton.
During the winter of 1909 locals began to express concern at the degree of erosion eating away at the narrow band of land that separated the river from the canal. After a storm induced landslip accelerated the problem it became clear that urgent action was needed.
A series of semi redundant barges were intentionally beached at high tide, and scuttled. The intention was that they would fill with silt, and, in so doing, reinforce the bank.
This proved successful, and the process of beaching unwanted boats continued for over 50 years – by the 1960's over 80 boats had made the banks of the Severn at Purton their final home. During the process, wooden barges, sail boats, WW2 concrete barges and steel vessels were added to the erosion barricade.
These form England's largest collection of abandoned shipping.
On with some pics......
After a few ciders Styru awakes to find that he has spent the night with 'Harriet', a big lass!
Shamelessly continued below....
In the early 1900's the City of Gloucester was a major transport hub, having excellent links to the outside world both via the River Severn and a fine network of canals, including the mighty Sharpness to Gloucester Canal - a veritable M1 of water-based transport.
These two ran close together near the village of Purton.
During the winter of 1909 locals began to express concern at the degree of erosion eating away at the narrow band of land that separated the river from the canal. After a storm induced landslip accelerated the problem it became clear that urgent action was needed.
A series of semi redundant barges were intentionally beached at high tide, and scuttled. The intention was that they would fill with silt, and, in so doing, reinforce the bank.
This proved successful, and the process of beaching unwanted boats continued for over 50 years – by the 1960's over 80 boats had made the banks of the Severn at Purton their final home. During the process, wooden barges, sail boats, WW2 concrete barges and steel vessels were added to the erosion barricade.
These form England's largest collection of abandoned shipping.
On with some pics......
After a few ciders Styru awakes to find that he has spent the night with 'Harriet', a big lass!
Shamelessly continued below....
