Update on the Purton Hulks

The Purton Hulks to give up its buried secrets

 

In our Spring Newsletter Adam Edwards reported on the Purton Hulks - a significant Severn point of interest. Since then the interest has continued with the BBC television's Coast programme visiting the site. Now the Hulks have come to our attention again: 

 

 The quiet village of Purton on Severn is about to ring to the sound of picks and shovels as the site becomes the focus of frantic efforts by a group of Gloucestershire Archaeologists to unearth and record the secrets of the Counties maritime heritage. Known as the Purton Hulks and recognised as the largest ships graveyard in mainland Britain, the site is all set to make archaeological history as the interred remains of the Kennet built barge Harriett are once again exposed and recorded for the nation. The project, the brainchild of the Friends of Purton, has set the archaeological world alight and has attracted the attention of both the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) and the University of Birmingham who intend to use state of the art laser scanning equipment to capture 3D images of the honey street built barge. In interview Laurent Coleman Head of Archaeology, The Friends of Purton issued this statement “As a professional archaeologist, it give me great pleasure to be involved with this historic project to expose the surviving timbers of the vessel, and in doing so enable continued study of the vessels construction and its current state of preservation.  In addition this excavation will address specific areas of interest including the dimensions of the keelson, construction of the mast step and assess wear and tear of the remains of this immensely important and rare example of the countries only remaining Kennet built barge. In line with this Portsmouth based Mark Beattie-Edwards, N.A.S, Programme Director commented “The N.A.S is very excited to see just how much survives of the Harriett at Purton and is looking forward to learning more about how this vessel was originally constructed and perhaps later modified by its owners – she really could give us a window into the past” 

Finally elated local Maritime Historian and Chairman of the Friends, Paul Barnett added “This is a great day for the Purton Hulks, a great day for Gloucestershire, it has been an epic journey in the fight to secure protection of this, the nations foreshore Archaeology flagship.”

 

For further information visit www.friendsofpurton.org.uk