The Hamlet of Purton lies next to the River Severn and Sharpness Canal in Gloucestershire.

The site has been used to hulk vessels following a call by the Canal Companies Chief Engineer a Mr A. J. Cullis to reinforce the narrow strip of land between the river and canal following a major rotational slump which took place to the north of the site in 1909

The Purton Hulks

2008 - What a year

Following the presentation of the Nautical Archaeological Societies Adopt A Wreck Award the site has continued to draw mass attention of the great and good. Furthermore this in turn has lead to several items that have adorned local radio, T.V. and even the national press in The Times. Watch out for an interview in August edition of Cotswold Life and the fourth BBC series of Coast.

As many of you will know the site tours are proving very popular, whilst the Purton Hulks slide show continues to be in such demand that I am rarely at home.

For those of you who attended the 1st Peoples Archaeological Academy my sincere thanks to all for your hard work and efforts. To this end I am very pleased to advise that the weekends proved to be a great success with 6 vessels being comprehensively surveyed by the NAS and Friends of Purton volunteers. Coupled to this, Wessex Archaeology with the use of ground penetrating radar, obtained images of some 5 vessels one of which had never been recorded before. Furthermore Anglo Danish Maritime conducted a DGPS survey of the vessels with the view to updating the previous schematic survey conducted by Dr A. J Parker in 1996.

On the back of this the Purton Hulks went on tour and recently exhibited at the Lister Steam Rally from which several hundred signatures were added to the petition which now stands just short of 1400. This in turn will be issued to Andy Barnham MP by Stroud MP David Drew.

Date for you diary
1st – 3rd August 2008 Kemble Steam Rally

2008 has also proved a mile stone year for Purton as we now have 8 interpretation plaques in situe with 5 more in production. My sincere thanks to all sponsors and individuals who have made it happen.

Now regarding the future would you kindly find enclosed a membership application and constitution with a request that all interested members complete and return. Furthermore as a fledgling group I would be keen to hear from any individual wishing nomination to the committee. All posts are open for nomination and will be filled via a democratic voting process during the 1st AGM to be held within the very near future. (date and venue to be confirmed following nominations).

Heres looking forward to a productive and rewarding 12 months for the Purton Hulks

Furthermore now is your chance to help in protecting this this wonderful site. Why not join the action group The Freinds of Purton contact me

Site Visits

This is a very important archaeological site as the diversity of small wooden vessel was such to make this one of the most important groupings of examples of wooden shipbuilding anywhere in the country. If anyone has any information, old photographs of this site can they please contact me

Please also note that the up most care will be taken to preserve and accurately reference any information submitted, and any old photographs submitted, we will copy and restored free of charge and return both the original and restored version to the owner.

A number of people have made studies of the Purton Hulk site, most noted is Paul Barnett, who does a programme of guided tours through the remains of the Purton Hulks.

Some photographs exist showing the boats in the late 50's and early 60's when the were first hulked at Purton, which have been kindly donated by David Wheeler, click the link below to read and see more.

Photo Gallery

Purton the Slideshow

When I first saw the Hulks I was concerned at the damage being done to these once fine ships, which are our part of our national waterways  heritage. There is only one severn trow in existence now, Spey which was rebuilt and is on show at the Blists Hill Museum Ironbridge. I made the Purton Slideshow to raise peoples awareness of the boats, the people who built them, the communities and a whole way of life long gone, to help people to understand that this site is a historic monument to the lives of ordinary people, our Legacy

When I made the Purton Slideshow last November, I did not for one minute think that this show would have created the interest that it has. The show has been downloaded well over a thousand times from Beechbrook Cottage, a web site specialising in AV slideshows.

A few people do photographic lectures with slide shows use Purton it within their presentation to show the strength that the black and white images can have.

The show generated many enquiries, some about the boats, and also just all round compliments as well as questions as to what  the show all about, so I have decided to devote some web space to the Boats at Purton and the River Severn.

Click this link to read more