purton Hulks

Largest ships' graveyard in maritime Britain

Listen to the remarkable story behind this site of historical importance.

Vessels
Archaeology

The Hulks at Purton

Read more about the history of these ladies of the water
Schooners
Barges – Canal Stern, Ferro Concrete & Honey Street
Trows
Dockyard and Work Boats

Archaeology

General archaeology
Sheet
Harriett excavation

General Archaeology

NAS surveys of Purton Hulks 2008
General archaeology

Harriett Excavation

For three days in September 2009, members of the ‘friends’ joined forces with Archaeologists and students of the Nautical Archaeology Society to undertake a survey of the mast head section of Purton hulk ‘Harriett’. With no extant Kennet Canal narrow beam barge to research, this dig provided a unique opportunity to answer some of the questions regarding the construction of these type of vessels. This undertaking and subsequent research laid the foundation for ‘Harriett’ to be both registered as a ‘National Historic Ship UK’ registration number 2347,  and in June 2010, to be ‘scheduled’ as a Ancient Monument, number 1021451. Affording the ‘lady’ legal protection to rest in peace.  ‘For further details see ‘Harriett’ page on site site. 

Crew

The ‘Friends’ and helpers assemble for briefing on task ahead.

Navigation aid

Paul Willson surveys the ‘Harriett’, others ‘peg out’ the excavation site.

Aground

‘Harriett’ as she lays in the ground, ‘Friends’ prepare to excavate.

Underway

Project leader and Head of Archaeology Laurie Coleman cuts the first sod.

Clearing the decks

‘Friend’ Roger Poole trims the grass to allow more accurate measurements to be taken.

Trimming the rudder

Nautical Archaeology Society student Clare Robinson clears area around the stern.

Watch

‘Friend’ Tony Burton MBE takes a break from digging to observe procedings.

All hands

Many hands make light work as diggers reach first layer of archeaology.

Afternoon watch

Members of the public take an interest in procedings.

Press gang

Chairman Paul Barnett records an interview with Radio Gloucestershire.

Midshipmen

Digging deep uncovering history.

Following sea

Chairman Paul arrives with tour party. ‘Friends’ answer questions.

Laid up

A days work done, freshly exposed keelson protected.

All aboard

Archaeologists and ‘Friends’ at the end of day one.

Harbour

‘Harriett’ fenced off for the night … end of day one.

Rollocks !!

Overnight high tide has flooded the excavation.

Awash

‘Harriett’ has, once more, taken on water.

Bailing

After much hard work and bailing the keelson together with floor timbers are exposed once more.

Mast step

‘Harriett’ keelson and timbers uncovered ready for recording and assessment of condition below ground level.

Starboard

View of excavation taken from Port side of vessel.

Ribs

Exposed rib timbers, sadly in poor condition.

Port

Portside hull timbers, heavily decayed.

Bilge

Paddling in the remains of the tide waters Laurie continues to record and measure.

Captain's log

‘Friends’ Head of Archaeology taking detailed ‘plan’ recordings.

Before the mast

Every aspect of the exposed timbers is measured and recorded.

Ship's bell

‘Friend’ Janet Presley maps the past.

Overboard

TV Presenter and Archaeologist Dr Mark Horton discussing progress with Laurie Coleman ‘Friends’ Head of Archeaology

Sheet

Archaeologists Lee & Laurie map the past.

Figureheards

‘Friends’ Chairman Paul, meets with Stroud MP David Drew, TV archaeologist Dr Mark Horton and NAS representative Stuart Bryan.

Watercraft

Bilge pump

Day Three ‘Friend’ Dave Smith now armed with pump, pumps clear the excavated area in preparation for laser scanning.

Beam

University of Birmingham Vista unit set up 3D laser scanner.

Anchor lights

Scanning begins.The image scanning utilises laser technology, to produce highly accurate 3D point-in-time image records of the remains of the ‘Harriett’

Dog watch

After a very successful three days, all that is left is to back fill the excavation and leave ‘Harriett’ in peace.