Today was an easy going day. Very warm with 26 degrees - yay!
Today we drove to Purton and parked at the free public car park. We crossed the swing bridge over the canal, and followed the canal down to the Sharpness Docks. Along the way we popped down to the Severn River to see all the 'hulks'. These barges, boats and ships were deliberately beached here, most in the 1950s, to protect the bank and canal from erosion. In all, 96 ships lie here, however many are now covered by silt and grass.
Severn Rail Bridge disaster
On 25 October 1960 two tanker barges collided in heavy fog near Sharpness on the River Severn.
They got caught by the tide, lost control, and smashed into one of the bridge's pillars.
The bridge partially collapsed and one of the boats, which was carrying petrol, caught fire and exploded.
The other vessel was carrying a cargo of black oil which ignited and burnt for several hours.
Five men lost their lives in the disaster.
Now research has shown that it may have been a dangerous sideways current that caused the Wastdale H and the Arkendale H to collide.
The damaged Severn Railway Bridge stood for several years after the disaster.
These are the remains of both the vessels which can be seen at low tide.
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