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Purton Hulks, near Sharpness, Gloucestershire
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Purton Hulks, near Sharpness, Gloucestershire
The remains of one of the Purton Hulks. The old boats were deliberately sunk in 1950s to protect the banks of the Sharpness and Gloucester Canal at Purton, near Sharpness Docks. It is the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain. They include Severn Trows and wooden colliers. First published The Sunday Times Date: 1988
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Media ID 19534827
© Philip Dunn / Mary Evans Picture Library
1988 Breakwater Canal Dock Docks Dunn Eighties Gloucester Gloucestershire Hulks Philip Piers Sharpness Sunk Sunken Tidal Tide Purton Silt Trow
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the haunting beauty of the Purton Hulks, a unique and historic ship graveyard located near Sharpness in Gloucestershire, England. Dating back to the 1800s, these old boats were once used primarily as Severn Trows and wooden colliers, serving the bustling ports of the region. By the 1950s, however, they had reached the end of their working lives and were deliberately sunk to protect the banks of the Sharpness and Gloucester Canal from erosion caused by the powerful tidal currents. The Purton Hulks now form the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain, with over 100 vessels lying submerged in the silt. The structures, which include both Trows and colliers, are a testament to the area's rich maritime history. The tide ebbs and flows around the hulks, revealing their wooden frames and rusted ironwork, while the piers and dock structures stand tall against the elements. Photographed in the 1980s by renowned photographer Philip Dunn, this image offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to an era when these boats were an integral part of the local community. The image is a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the ever-changing landscape of the Severn Estuary.
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