The Willie – yet another classic example a an elderly lady worked to her dying day. Ill fated – Poorly maintained- washed up unloved – left to rot in Severn mud her last remnants washed clean by the fast flowing waters. But not before she left a lasting legacy of her repeated mishaps and sinking’s her dedicated crews – her cramped conditions and last but not least her faithful guard Cockrill Mojo– may they both forever rest in peace – wherever she may be ….

Recorded in 1930 Mercantile List
Seen in 1947 photo
Recorded in 1951 Mercantile List
Not located in aerial looking North 1957
Not located in aerial looking Pine End 1957
Located and broken up in 1972 Norman Andrews photo
Not recorded in Colin Green 1996 chart

Eric Aldridge
Skipper of Dredger No 4
Aged 84
River 1929 – 1960
Canal 1960 – 1984
Date of Interview 01.07.03

Furthermore In c.1930 Eric recalls that this was not to be his last brush with the past as his next berth was on the towed barge Willie of Bristol a former side clothed wooden trow owned by Thomas Silvey Brothers of Midland Road. At this time the vessel had been derigged and was in the command of Capt Jack Pocket. He also recalls that the vessel traded with Lydney coal to Bristol a journey that utilised three tides i.e. the vessel would leave Bristol in order to berth at the old entrance at Avonmouth on one tide. The next tide would see the Willie cross the Severn and berth in Lydney in order to be loaded with the help of Crane driver Jack Nelmes who incidentally assisted in the removal of spoil from the canal and dock with the old steam crane. Furthermore as the Willie was being loaded it was important to trim the load and thus prevent cargo shift and possible vessel loss. This in turn required immense stamina and Eric recalls that this was the duty of specialised gangs of dock labour known as trimmers. Furthermore EA fondly recalls a mountain of a man called Brewer Aden the coal shipper, who had trouble fitting his 6ft frame into the hold in order to distribute the 130 ton of cargo evenly. This was all to be carried out in rapid time as the Wellie was required to lock back into the river with the assistance of Lydneys’ lock gateman Bert Morse and keeper Len Gardner, whose son Tom Gardner, the local Ship Wright, and return to Avonmouth on the next tide. At this time EA recalls that Willie’s facilities were very basic and consisted of an aft cabin that contained two bunks, a food cupboard which was screwed to the bulkhead and range which was constantly “stoked for cooking and heating by an a everlasting supply of Lydney coal.” However EA recalls that although the Willie primarily carried coal she was also known to carry bagged wheat and cotton seed discharged in Avonmouth from the vessel Brocklebank Eric also recalls that following the arrival at the port of discharge, the crew were responsible for unloading the cargo, onto quay at which point the dockers would distribute the goods into storage or onto waiting lighters or butty boats. EA further recalls that the discharge process could be assisted by the use of quay side steam cranes or the vessels spare yard arm to form a jib hoist. Eric further recalls that the unloading process was immensely physical and required a lot of stamina as in the case of coal, the crew would shovel the cargo into two tubs, one for loading whilst the second was swung once full on shore and tipped thus reduce the discharge time, that even with these labour saving devices and techniques, could take all day. This however was relative luxury in comparison to the handballing process which was required when the vessel docked at Combwich Pil on the River Parrat. Eric recalls that as a result of the absence of quay side mechanical devises at the port, cargo was carried ashore on the shoulders of the crew who utilised a four foot plank which would allow two men to pass. Furthermore Eric recalls that as in the example of the Silvey Brothers owned former wooden trow George with its two man, one boy crew and its 160ton hold capacity, this task was a feat of strength rarely seen in modern times.

In c.1938 and following a 5- 6 month period on the Willie,
EA recalls the former trow Willie & the family owned ketch Sarah were hulked at Lydney

Doug Bennet
Name Willie
Wood ketch
Official No 99531
Built 1893 Gloucester
Port of Reg Gloucester
Net Reg tons 38
Signal hoist none
Registered 1945
Bob Davis,
Shipwright, Junction , Dry Dock, SAUL.
He thinks that the “WILLIE”, now owned by Silvey & Co. of Bristol, was built as a trow for W. M. Butler & Co. of Bristol within fairly recent times and that plans may be obtainable from Butlers.

He thinks that the “WILLIE”, now owned by Silvey & Co. of Bristol, was built as a trow for W. M. Butler & Co. of Bristol within fairly recent times and that plans may be obtainable from Butlers.