07. The Purton Hulks
4th May 2005

For many years redundant commercial river craft have been beached along the banks of the Severn between Sharpness and Purton in order to protect the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal against erosion. The boats involved range from wooden schooners, trows and barges to wartime concrete lighters and, at the Sharpness end, some more modern steel vessels. In excess of 80 boats are known to have been beached here and the site represents the largest boat graveyard in mainland Britian.
This unique site is constantly under threat from vandals and souvenir hunters. Name panels from the vessels made attractive ornaments and from the 1940s many of them started to disappear. In 1986 no less than eight vessels were destroyed and several others were damaged by a mindless arson attack. Up until the 1990s British Waterways were still burying vessels in spoil and rubble at the northern end of the site. Recently graffiti has appeared on one vessel and every year timber is removed for barbecues and hand made iron nails are stolen as ornaments. The Friends of Purton have been formed as an organisation to protect and raise awareness of the site. English Heritage are actively being lobbied to provide some measure of designation/protection for the site and a series of plaques and interpretation boards are being provided as funding/sponsorship allows. Please feel free to attend a guided tour of the site and find out about the Friends of Purton - details on the front page.
Marine historian Paul Barnett has spent many years studying the site and has identified the vast majority of the vessels and researched their histories. I would like to thank Paul for his generosity in sharing the information that is presented here.

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Monument to the Purton Hulks, erected by British Waterways in 2008. 20th July 2008.
Monument to the Purton Hulks, erected by British Waterways in 2008. 20th July 2008.
 Bow view of the remains of the wooden lighter ABBEY, high on the bank in 1998. She was beached in 1956.
Bow view of the remains of the wooden lighter ABBEY, high on the bank in 1998. She was beached in 1956.
 Eleven years later, and ABBEY has visibly deteriorated. 27th October 2009.
Eleven years later, and ABBEY has visibly deteriorated. 27th October 2009.
 A stern view of the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
A stern view of the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
ABBEY's stern on 27th October 2009.
ABBEY's stern on 27th October 2009.
 Detail of the steel rudder on the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
Detail of the steel rudder on the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
 Port side view of the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
Port side view of the ABBEY. 17th June 2007.
 Iron bracing on the ABBEY. 20th July 2008.
Iron bracing on the ABBEY. 20th July 2008.
A piece of internal ironwork on ABBEY. 20th July 2008.
A piece of internal ironwork on ABBEY. 20th July 2008.
 The scant remains of the schooner ADA which was once was once owned by Capt. James Herbert's second son Joseph. Much of the vessel was destroyed in the 1986 arson attack but some of the iron knees are still visible. Dedicated to the memory of Captain Herbert's descendant Adrian Gordon, who's ashes were scattered on the wreck in 2007. 17th June 2007.
The scant remains of the schooner ADA which was once was once owned by Capt. James Herbert's second son Joseph. Much of the vessel was destroyed in the 1986 arson attack but some of the iron knees are still visible. Dedicated to the memory of Captain Herbert's descendant Adrian Gordon, who's ashes were scattered on the wreck in 2007. 17th June 2007.
 Part of the port gunwale of the ADA which escaped the fire. She was built by Thomas Gardner of Bristol in 1869 and was beached in 1956. 20th July 2008.
Part of the port gunwale of the ADA which escaped the fire. She was built by Thomas Gardner of Bristol in 1869 and was beached in 1956. 20th July 2008.
 Iron knees on the ADA. 27th October 2009.
Iron knees on the ADA. 27th October 2009.
Knee detail on the ADA. 27th October 2009.
Knee detail on the ADA. 27th October 2009.
 Victims of the Severn Railway Bridge Disaster. At low tide the wrecks of the petroleum barges ARKENDALE H and WASTDALE H can be seen on the sand bank opposite the boat graveyard. Both barges were lost along with 5 out of 8 of the combined crews on 25th October 1960. 16th April 1991.
Victims of the Severn Railway Bridge Disaster. At low tide the wrecks of the petroleum barges ARKENDALE H and WASTDALE H can be seen on the sand bank opposite the boat graveyard. Both barges were lost along with 5 out of 8 of the combined crews on 25th October 1960. 16th April 1991.
 The barge wrecks seen from the bow. The ARKENDALE H is on the left, the WASTDALE H on the right. 16th April 1991. More information on the Severn Railway Bridge and the 1960 disaster can be found in the section entitled
The barge wrecks seen from the bow. The ARKENDALE H is on the left, the WASTDALE H on the right. 16th April 1991. More information on the Severn Railway Bridge and the 1960 disaster can be found in the section entitled "Berkeley Road to Lydney" on my Disused Railways site (see links on front page).
 The barge wrecks seen on 20th July 2008. From this angle it is hard to distinguish the two vessels but the bow of the ARKENDALE H is prominent on the left and the stern of the WASTDALE H shows up well on the right.
The barge wrecks seen on 20th July 2008. From this angle it is hard to distinguish the two vessels but the bow of the ARKENDALE H is prominent on the left and the stern of the WASTDALE H shows up well on the right.
The timber dumb barge BARRY is almost completely buried. If you look carefully near the centre of the picture part of a gunwale can just be made out. 20th July 2008.
The timber dumb barge BARRY is almost completely buried. If you look carefully near the centre of the picture part of a gunwale can just be made out. 20th July 2008.
 This stem post is all that remains visible of the Wich trow BRITANNIA. 27th October 2009.
This stem post is all that remains visible of the Wich trow BRITANNIA. 27th October 2009.
 The remains of the wrecking barge BRITON FERRY. The stem post can be seen in the foreground with the bulk of the vessel now hidden in the grass behind. The vessel came from the place she was named after in South Wales and arrived in Gloucester in 1911. She carried a bucket crane and was used at Purton to unload mud hoppers and dump their contents onto the foreshore. She eventually joined the material she had spent so long unloading when she was beached in 1957. The wreck is reputed to be haunted. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the wrecking barge BRITON FERRY. The stem post can be seen in the foreground with the bulk of the vessel now hidden in the grass behind. The vessel came from the place she was named after in South Wales and arrived in Gloucester in 1911. She carried a bucket crane and was used at Purton to unload mud hoppers and dump their contents onto the foreshore. She eventually joined the material she had spent so long unloading when she was beached in 1957. The wreck is reputed to be haunted. 20th July 2008.
 The stern of wooden lighter No. 145630 DURSLEY, a former Bristol based towed barge belonging to Lighterman F. A. Ashmeads & Sons. 1998.
The stern of wooden lighter No. 145630 DURSLEY, a former Bristol based towed barge belonging to Lighterman F. A. Ashmeads & Sons. 1998.
A similar view of the DURSLEY taken ten years later on 20th July 2008.
A similar view of the DURSLEY taken ten years later on 20th July 2008.
 Stern post and rudder detail on the DURSLEY. 17th June 2007.
Stern post and rudder detail on the DURSLEY. 17th June 2007.
 The starboard stern of the DURSLEY. 20th July 2008.
The starboard stern of the DURSLEY. 20th July 2008.
 Main beam detail on DURSLEY. 20th July 2008.
Main beam detail on DURSLEY. 20th July 2008.
Looking along the hold of the DURSLEY from the bow. She was built by Joseph Barnard of Gloucester in 1926 and beached in 1963. 20th July 2008.
Looking along the hold of the DURSLEY from the bow. She was built by Joseph Barnard of Gloucester in 1926 and beached in 1963. 20th July 2008.
 The steel engine room deck house from the Bridgwater trow EDITH. The rest of the vessel was sadly incinerated in 1986. The EDITH was built in Chepstow by William Hurd in 1901 and was later motorised in 1927. Her Kelvin K2 engine now powers a narrowboat. 27th October 2009.
The steel engine room deck house from the Bridgwater trow EDITH. The rest of the vessel was sadly incinerated in 1986. The EDITH was built in Chepstow by William Hurd in 1901 and was later motorised in 1927. Her Kelvin K2 engine now powers a narrowboat. 27th October 2009.
 Inside the engine room deckhouse of the EDITH. 17th June 2007.
Inside the engine room deckhouse of the EDITH. 17th June 2007.
 The remains of the EDITH seen from the bow. She was beached in 1963. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the EDITH seen from the bow. She was beached in 1963. 20th July 2008.
A winch still in situ on the remains of the foredeck of the EDITH. 17th June 2007.
A winch still in situ on the remains of the foredeck of the EDITH. 17th June 2007.
 The winch after being returned to its original orientation. 27th October 2009.
The winch after being returned to its original orientation. 27th October 2009.
 Surviving steel and timber components of the EDITH. 20th July 2008.
Surviving steel and timber components of the EDITH. 20th July 2008.
 The bow of the Stroudwater barge ENVOY. 20th July 2008.
The bow of the Stroudwater barge ENVOY. 20th July 2008.
Detail of part of the bow of the ENVOY. During her working life she moved coal between Lydney and Brimscombe Port. 20th July 2008.
Detail of part of the bow of the ENVOY. During her working life she moved coal between Lydney and Brimscombe Port. 20th July 2008.
 The stern of the ENVOY. She was one of the first vessels beached at Purton, probably in 1909. 7th July 2007.
The stern of the ENVOY. She was one of the first vessels beached at Purton, probably in 1909. 7th July 2007.
 The stern of the ENVOY seen from above. 27th October 2009.
The stern of the ENVOY seen from above. 27th October 2009.
 Remains of the bilge pump on the ENVOY. 27th October 2009.
Remains of the bilge pump on the ENVOY. 27th October 2009.
Seven wartime concrete barges are beached at Purton, although one (FCB51) is completely buried. An eighth (FCB52) was removed for preservation at the National Waterways Museum in 1991. From left to right are the FCB76, FCB68 and FCB78. 1998.
Seven wartime concrete barges are beached at Purton, although one (FCB51) is completely buried. An eighth (FCB52) was removed for preservation at the National Waterways Museum in 1991. From left to right are the FCB76, FCB68 and FCB78. 1998.
 The bows of the FCB78 and the FCB67. 273 of these barges were built in 1941 by Waites of Barrow in Furness. All eight of the examples at Purton are of the rarer stem head type. 17th June 2007.
The bows of the FCB78 and the FCB67. 273 of these barges were built in 1941 by Waites of Barrow in Furness. All eight of the examples at Purton are of the rarer stem head type. 17th June 2007.
 Bow view of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
Bow view of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
 Bow detail of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
Bow detail of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
The stern of the FCB67 protruding into the estuary. 27th October 2009.
The stern of the FCB67 protruding into the estuary. 27th October 2009.
 The partially buried FCB68 looking towards the stern. 17th June 2007.
The partially buried FCB68 looking towards the stern. 17th June 2007.
 Tiller of the FCB68. 17th June 2007.
Tiller of the FCB68. 17th June 2007.
 FCB75 is beached further south than the other six and is easier to inspect as it has not been partially buried by spoil. 16th April 1991.
FCB75 is beached further south than the other six and is easier to inspect as it has not been partially buried by spoil. 16th April 1991.New
A similar view of FCB75 taken seventeen years later on 20th July 2008.
A similar view of FCB75 taken seventeen years later on 20th July 2008.
 Bow view of the FCB75. Although no longer visible, the wreck of the trow
Bow view of the FCB75. Although no longer visible, the wreck of the trow "Monarch" lies beneath the bow. 27th October 2009.
 Bow detail on FCB75. She was beached in 1965 unlike the other six which arrived in 1963. 17th June 2007.
Bow detail on FCB75. She was beached in 1965 unlike the other six which arrived in 1963. 17th June 2007.
 Looking towards the stern from the bow deck of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Looking towards the stern from the bow deck of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Looking towards the bow from the stern deck of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Looking towards the bow from the stern deck of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
 Bow deck and hold detail on the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Bow deck and hold detail on the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
 Silted up companion way on the stern of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Silted up companion way on the stern of the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
 Broken tiller on the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
Broken tiller on the FCB75. 17th June 2007.
The starboard side of the FCB75. 20th July 2008.
The starboard side of the FCB75. 20th July 2008.
 FCB75 fairlead detail. 20th July 2008.
FCB75 fairlead detail. 20th July 2008.
 A concrete repair on the starboard bow of FCB75. The damage was caused when the vessel struck a bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 1963. 20th July 2008.
A concrete repair on the starboard bow of FCB75. The damage was caused when the vessel struck a bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 1963. 20th July 2008.
 The partially buried FCB76. 17th June 2007.
The partially buried FCB76. 17th June 2007.
FCB76 with the broken stern of the
FCB76 with the broken stern of the "Jonadab" visible behind. 17th June 2007.
 The extended tiller of the FCB76. 20th July 2008.
The extended tiller of the FCB76. 20th July 2008.
 The foredeck of the FCB76. 20th July 2008.
The foredeck of the FCB76. 20th July 2008.
 The bow of the FCB76. 27th October 2009.
The bow of the FCB76. 27th October 2009.
Bow detail on the FCB76. 27th October 2009.
Bow detail on the FCB76. 27th October 2009.
 Mooring ring on FCB76. 20th July 2008.
Mooring ring on FCB76. 20th July 2008.
 Inside the forecabin of the FCB76, showing one of the holes that was made to prevent it floating away. 20th July 2008.
Inside the forecabin of the FCB76, showing one of the holes that was made to prevent it floating away. 20th July 2008.
 The stern of the FCB77. 27th October 2009.
The stern of the FCB77. 27th October 2009.
The FCB77 seen from the bow of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
The FCB77 seen from the bow of the FCB67. 17th June 2007.
 On the deck of the FCB78. 17th June 2007.
On the deck of the FCB78. 17th June 2007.
 The stern post of the Stroudwater barge GLENBY, the only visible part of this vessel. 20th July 2008.
The stern post of the Stroudwater barge GLENBY, the only visible part of this vessel. 20th July 2008.
 A few visible remains of the GLENBY in the mud. 27th October 2009.
A few visible remains of the GLENBY in the mud. 27th October 2009.
HARRIETT, a wooden vessel of 1905, beached at the southern end of the foreshore at Purton. This vessel is often described as a trow but it is actually a Kennet barge. 16th April 1991.
HARRIETT, a wooden vessel of 1905, beached at the southern end of the foreshore at Purton. This vessel is often described as a trow but it is actually a Kennet barge. 16th April 1991.
 HARRIETT seen from the starboard side. 27th October 2009.
HARRIETT seen from the starboard side. 27th October 2009.
 A close-up of the transom of HARRIETT. The words
A close-up of the transom of HARRIETT. The words "Harriett" and "Bristol" can still be seen, above which the word "Ashmead" can just be made out. 16th April 1991.
 HARRIETT's transom seventeen years later, showing some deterioration. 20th July 2008.
HARRIETT's transom seventeen years later, showing some deterioration. 20th July 2008.
The inboard side of the stern on HARRIETT. 17th June 2007.
The inboard side of the stern on HARRIETT. 17th June 2007.
 Detail of the stern post and rudder on HARRIETT. 17th June 2007.
Detail of the stern post and rudder on HARRIETT. 17th June 2007.
 HARRIETT's bow seen from the inboard side. 20th July 2008.
HARRIETT's bow seen from the inboard side. 20th July 2008.
 Overall view of HARRIETT looking towards the bow with DURSLEY, EDITH, HUNTLEY and NEW DISPATCH in the background. 20th July 2008.
Overall view of HARRIETT looking towards the bow with DURSLEY, EDITH, HUNTLEY and NEW DISPATCH in the background. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the bilge pump on the HARIETT. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the bilge pump on the HARIETT. 20th July 2008.
 Evidence of the 2009 archaological excavation of Harriett. 27th October 2009.
Evidence of the 2009 archaological excavation of Harriett. 27th October 2009.
 The stern of the Gloster trow HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
The stern of the Gloster trow HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
 The top of the D shaped transom of HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
The top of the D shaped transom of HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the bow of the HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the bow of the HIGRE. 20th July 2008.
 The stern of the HIGRE seen from inside the wreck of the KING. 27th October 2009.
The stern of the HIGRE seen from inside the wreck of the KING. 27th October 2009.
 The bow of the HUNTLEY. 20th July 2008.
The bow of the HUNTLEY. 20th July 2008.
 The stern of the HUNTLEY. 20th July 2008.
The stern of the HUNTLEY. 20th July 2008.
Remains of the wooden lighter HUNTLEY seen from the bow. 27th October 2009.
Remains of the wooden lighter HUNTLEY seen from the bow. 27th October 2009.
 Gloster trow J&AR next to FCB77. The unusual name of this trow derives from her former owners, Jacob and Albert Rice. 17th June 2007.
Gloster trow J&AR next to FCB77. The unusual name of this trow derives from her former owners, Jacob and Albert Rice. 17th June 2007.
 The J&AR seen on 7th July 2007. She was built by Frank Evans of Saul in 1894 and was beached in 1951.
The J&AR seen on 7th July 2007. She was built by Frank Evans of Saul in 1894 and was beached in 1951.
 The broken stern of the J&AR. 27th October 2009.
The broken stern of the J&AR. 27th October 2009.
The rudder and tiller of the J&AR. 20th July 2008.
The rudder and tiller of the J&AR. 20th July 2008.
 The upturned hull of the Bridgwater trow JONADAB out on the Ridge sandbank on 16th April 1991. This vessel was originally beached at Lydney but was washed away and eventually turned up here.
The upturned hull of the Bridgwater trow JONADAB out on the Ridge sandbank on 16th April 1991. This vessel was originally beached at Lydney but was washed away and eventually turned up here.
 JONADAB later broke up and in March 2004 the stern section was washed up at Purton where it remains today. She was built at Newport in 1848. 20th July 2008.
JONADAB later broke up and in March 2004 the stern section was washed up at Purton where it remains today. She was built at Newport in 1848. 20th July 2008.
 The remaining hull section of JONADAB. 27th October 2009.
The remaining hull section of JONADAB. 27th October 2009.
JONADAB was later motorised and the remains of the propeller fitting can be seen on the beached stern today. 24th March 2005. (Photo courtesy of Paul Barnett).
JONADAB was later motorised and the remains of the propeller fitting can be seen on the beached stern today. 24th March 2005. (Photo courtesy of Paul Barnett).
 Part of the bilge pump from the Irish schooner KATHERINE ELLEN, the only visible remnant of this vessel. She was built in Dungarvan in 1863 and was beached in 1956. She was sadly another victim of the 1986 arson attack. 27th October 2009.
Part of the bilge pump from the Irish schooner KATHERINE ELLEN, the only visible remnant of this vessel. She was built in Dungarvan in 1863 and was beached in 1956. She was sadly another victim of the 1986 arson attack. 27th October 2009.
 The skeletal remains of the KING on 16th April 1991. This vessel was a schooner and was originally named SALLY before being cut down for use as a barge.
The skeletal remains of the KING on 16th April 1991. This vessel was a schooner and was originally named SALLY before being cut down for use as a barge.
 A similar view of the KING on 17th June 2007. She was beached in 1951.
A similar view of the KING on 17th June 2007. She was beached in 1951.
The KING seen from the bow with part of the stern of the HIGRE on the right. 17th June 2007.
The KING seen from the bow with part of the stern of the HIGRE on the right. 17th June 2007.
 Roman numerals on the collapsed stem post of the KING. 17th June 2007.
Roman numerals on the collapsed stem post of the KING. 17th June 2007.
 Interior view of the KING. 17th June 2007.
Interior view of the KING. 17th June 2007.
 Ladder in the hold of the KING. 17th June 2007.
Ladder in the hold of the KING. 17th June 2007.
The twisted remains of the KING show its composite steel and timber construction. Much of the timber cladding was stripped by salvors who recovered the copper nails that once fixed the vessel's copper sheathing. 20th July 2008.
The twisted remains of the KING show its composite steel and timber construction. Much of the timber cladding was stripped by salvors who recovered the copper nails that once fixed the vessel's copper sheathing. 20th July 2008.
 Evidence of fire damage on one of KING's beams. 27th October 2009.
Evidence of fire damage on one of KING's beams. 27th October 2009.
 Part of the starboard hull of the KING looking towards the stern. 27th October 2009.
Part of the starboard hull of the KING looking towards the stern. 27th October 2009.
 The starboard side of the KING looking towards the bow. 27th October 2009.
The starboard side of the KING looking towards the bow. 27th October 2009.
Lighter No. 9 beached next to the SEVERN CONVEYER at Sharpness.
Lighter No. 9 beached next to the SEVERN CONVEYER at Sharpness.
 Lighter No. 9 fifteen years later on 27th October 2009.
Lighter No. 9 fifteen years later on 27th October 2009.
 The bow of Lighter No. 9. 27th October 2009.
The bow of Lighter No. 9. 27th October 2009.
 Lighter No. 23 beached at Sharpness. This vessel was built for Mousell Chadbourne & Sons and was later part of the British Waterways fleet. The is the westernmost of 18 steel vessels on the foreshore at Sharpness.
Lighter No. 23 beached at Sharpness. This vessel was built for Mousell Chadbourne & Sons and was later part of the British Waterways fleet. The is the westernmost of 18 steel vessels on the foreshore at Sharpness.
Lighter No. 23 seen from on deck. Lighter No. 9 and SEVERN CONVEYER can be seen on the shore in the far distance.
Lighter No. 23 seen from on deck. Lighter No. 9 and SEVERN CONVEYER can be seen on the shore in the far distance.
 Some of the as yet unidentified steel vessels at Sharpness.
Some of the as yet unidentified steel vessels at Sharpness.
 The stern of Lighter No. 23. 27th October 2009.
The stern of Lighter No. 23. 27th October 2009.
 MONARCH was the largest Gloster trow ever built. She was built by Frank Evans of Saul in 1900 and was beached in 1944. FCB75 was beached right across the remans of MONARCH and now only a few timbers remain. 20th July 2008.
MONARCH was the largest Gloster trow ever built. She was built by Frank Evans of Saul in 1900 and was beached in 1944. FCB75 was beached right across the remans of MONARCH and now only a few timbers remain. 20th July 2008.
Paul Barnett with the stem post of the wooden lighter NEWARK. 20th July 2008.
Paul Barnett with the stem post of the wooden lighter NEWARK. 20th July 2008.
 Stern and rudder of the NEWARK. 20th July 2008.
Stern and rudder of the NEWARK. 20th July 2008.
 The remains of the NEW DISPATCH, a Speyside built, two masted schooner of 1888. Only the keel and part of the amidships hull remains. 27th October 2009.
The remains of the NEW DISPATCH, a Speyside built, two masted schooner of 1888. Only the keel and part of the amidships hull remains. 27th October 2009.
 Part of the port side hull of the NEW DISPATCH. She sailed as the DISPATCH but was renamed after being cut down in 1934. 27th October 2009.
Part of the port side hull of the NEW DISPATCH. She sailed as the DISPATCH but was renamed after being cut down in 1934. 27th October 2009.
Cross bracing on the hull of the NEW DISPATCH. Also evident is fire damage from 1986. 27th October 2009.
Cross bracing on the hull of the NEW DISPATCH. Also evident is fire damage from 1986. 27th October 2009.
 One of the Fell's Patent Adjustable Knees on the NEW DISPATCH. 20th July 2008.
One of the Fell's Patent Adjustable Knees on the NEW DISPATCH. 20th July 2008.
 The rudder of the NEW DISPATCH. 20th July 2008.
The rudder of the NEW DISPATCH. 20th July 2008.
 The remains of the NEW DISPATCH seen from the stern. 20th July 2008.
The remains of the NEW DISPATCH seen from the stern. 20th July 2008.
 
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