Mystery of recovered components
Mystery of recovered components
by: Hugh C-J
The crews on Augustus Gloop have recently dredged up some interesting components from the remains of a sunken barge on the Upper Mills Bridge side of the old Wycliffe College boat house.
At one stage, part of the bottom of the barge was lifted above the water (Photo Andrew R), but as some of it was evidently buried in the canal bank, it was lowered back down again. This section was only about 20 feet long, but it could have extended further west along the original canal bank that was removed when the channel for the new Upper Mills Bridge was dug out in 2010.
This appears to be a mast block that was bolted to a cross beam to take a short towing mast for use when the barge was being towed along the canal by a horse.
The role of these iron knees is not clear. The larger ones could have given strength to the junction between the bottom and side of the barge, but the curvature of one of the small ones is not consistent with this role. They are not standard features of an old trading barge, but it is possible they come from a former maintenance barge. More evidence is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
