Sharpness and the 'hulks'

These are the only remains of a swing bridge, which once carried a railway; not only over the canal, but over to the far side of the Severn as well.

Opened in 1879 to carry Forest of Dean coal to Sharpness Docks, it consisted of 21 fixed arches  over the estuary and a movable arch, propelled by steam over the canal.

we think these two bumps in the sand are the remains of a arch.

On a fog bound October evening in 1960, Arkendale and Wastdale, two Harker petrol barges heading for Gloucester missed the entrance to Sharpness docks and collided with the bridge, demolishing one of the piers and bringing two of its girder spans on themselves.  Their unstable cargoes ignited, and the blaze was worsened by the severing of a gas main on the bridge.  The whole river was set alight and there were five fatalities.  The railway never re-opened and the remains of the two barges still lie off Purton.

The disused lock and the very end of the Sharpness Old Arm

The sea lock into Sharpness Docks, still very much alive I might add!!!

Narrowboats are able to navigate out of the sea lock ( with a pre - booked pilot) and cruise down to Avonmouth and up into Bristol - not a trip for the faint hearted!!!

The dock area.

The Sharpness Old Arm is now a marina.

Now that is what you call a mooring ring!!!

The banks of the Severn have historically suffered from erosion by the tide.

Between 1909 and 1965 redundant and unwanted vessels were beached on the foreshore and allowed to fill with silt.  These formed a barrier and helped prevent the river eroding the canal embankment.

A very interest place to explore . All the 21 vessels along this stretch are named.  These vessels now form part of the Severn Estuary SSSI which is of international importance for bird life and wildfowl.