Future of the Purton Hulks to be debated

The Purton Hulks with the River Severn 

on the left and the Gloucester and 

Sharpness Canal on the right: 

Picture by Hamish Fenton©

Supporters of Britain's largest ships graveyard, The Purton hulk site, in Gloucestershire on the banks of the River Severn, will come together at the Sharpness Dockers Club next month to debate its future.

The site which is the last resting place of Harriett, the only remaining Kennet Barge, is also the graveyard of 80 other vessels that were beached there to protect the banks Gloucester and Sharpness Canal from the ravages of the tidal Severn.

The Friends of Purton are concerned about the risk from vandalism and their Chairman, Paul Barnett  says that  despite assurances given in 2007 by English Heritage and again in March 2010 by the Culture Secretary, Margaret Hodge, that the site was adequately protected from vandalism by SSSI legislation, the hulks do not in fact have the legal protection needed to ensure their preservation for future generations.

Kennet Barge, Harriett beached on the banks of the
Severn at Purton: Picture by Bob Naylor©

Last year British Waterways claimed ownership of the site and BW Heritage Advisor, David Viner said, "It has become increasingly important to ensure that this site, which has 81 derelict vessels, has an owner to look after it properly. 

     "BW owns the canal alongside the site and a staff presence will raise awareness and help to tackle vandalism — our first responsibility is to make sure the site is protected.

     "A lot of the vandalism is because people don't realise the significance of the boats," he concluded.

Stroud MP and Cotswold Canal Vice President, Neil Carmichael with Paul Barnett, Chairman of the Friends of Purton
beside one of the hulks at Purton.

Local MP to Chair meeting

Chairing the meeting will be Stroud MP Neil Carmichael who is a Vice-President of the Cotswold Canal Trust and a member of the The Commons Environmental Audit select Committee that considers the extent that government policies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development and among those taking part in the debate will be representatives from English Heritage, Natural England, British Waterways, Stroud District and Gloucestershire County Councils and Hinton Parish Council.

Paul Barnett said, "Everyone with an interest in the future of the site should attend to participate in the ongoing debate to protect the regions diminishing maritime  archaeology."

The meeting is at the Sharpness Dockers Club, The Docks, Sharpness, Berkeley , GL13 9UN at 7pm on  Wednesday 1 June 2011. 

Related stories: 

Last Kennet Barge in Britain's biggest ships graveyard

Anger at damage to historic Purton shipwrecks

Dogged determination protects future of historic K&A barge

Severn railway bridge disaster victims remembered

Bells toll for Severn Disaster victims

Friends of Purton website:

http://www.friendsofpurton.org.uk

Bells toll for Severn Disaster victims

The 50th Anniversary of the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge disaster that cost the lives of five seamen in October 1960 will be commemorated this weekend with bells ringing out from churches along the River Severn.

The tankers, Arkendale and Wastedale still in the River Severn near Purton 50 years after the tragedy: Picture by Bob Naylor

Ian Unsworth of Dursley has arranged for nearby church bells to ring out in memory of the five seamen who lost their lives when two fuel barges hit the bridge on the 25th October 1960 and exploded in flames.

Ian said, "Groups from the Wotton-under-Edge, Forest of Dean and Stroud Branches of the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers will attempt a full peal at Wotton-under-Edge on Saturday 16th October followed by quarter peals at Berkeley, Stone, Slimbridge, Awre and Lydney."

Janet Presley, Vice Chairman of the Friends of Purton, herself a keen bell ringer, said,  "This is a fitting tribute and when people hear the bells being rung on the 16th and 17th October I hope they will spare a thought for all the people whose lives have been taken while navigating the River Severn over the years and for their families and descendants."

See previous story at: Severn Railway Bridge disaster victims remembered

Links: Friends of Purton

The Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers

Severn railway bridge disaster victims remembered

by Bob Naylor

This month marks the fiftieth anniversary of the River Severn shipping disaster that cost the lives of five of eight crewmen, the loss of two ships and the partial destruction of the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge which spanned the river upstream from Sharpness.

The tankers, Arkendale and Wastedale still in the River Severn near Purton 50 years after the tragedy           Picture by Bob Naylor

On the evening, of October 25th 1960, two tankers, Arkendale with 300 tons of oil and Wastedale with 350 tons of petroleum, set sail from Avonmouth in good visibility bound for Sharpness to join the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. 

When they reached Berkley Power Station at 10 pm a heavy fog descended and in the fog they missed the navigation lights for Sharpness and they continued upstream.  

     They both collided with the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge and one of the upright columns collapsed. Two spans of the bridge then fell onto the boats and 650 tons of petrol and oil were set on fire. A gas main on the bridge was severed and the river was ablaze for about two miles around the accident — it wasn't until the fog cleared the next morning that the full horror of the disaster could be seen. 

Monuments made from stone salvaged from the original bridge are to be erected on both sides of the river at Purton and Lydney — overlooking the wrecks of the tankers.

Paul Barnett, Chairman of the Friends of Purton said, "The installation of these memorials on either side of the river is most fitting, as they once again reconnect these maritime communities."

     Paul would like to hear from family members of the crew, particularly George Thompson, Alex Bullock and Robert Nibblett, and he would especially like to talk to anyone who has knowledge of Charles Freeland, originally from Essex, who joined a successful rescue mission to pull a survivor from the water that night.

Friends of Purton are mounting an exhibition about the tragedy from 16th October at Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Gloucestershire, GL14 2UB.

  

Anyone with any information should contact Paul Barnett on 07833 143231.

Websites:
Dean Heritage Museum

Friends of Purton