The Mersey Flat, Daresbury, is the only known pre-1840 survival of a once widespread regional sailing vessel.
She was constructed in 1772 by a boat builder named Samuel Edwards.
By 1792–96 the Daresbury was employed on the Weaver Navigation carrying coals. It is thought that she was lengthened in the early 1800s. At some time in the 19th century, possibly in 1864, she was even converted into a floating derrick. Repairs were carried out on the vessel in 1926 and in 1934, and she was still afloat in 1956.
She was moved to Sutton Locks on the River Weaver in 1985 and sunk.
Plans were made to recover and restore her and to move her to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, but these were found to be impractical and were abandoned.
The flat lies partly submerged towards the west end of Sutton Lock, with part of the hull above the water line. The barge measures 17.5 metres (57.4 ft) long by 4.88 metres (16.0 ft) long. The hold, about 9 metres (29.5 ft) long, is full of water. Also partly submerged, about 9 metres (29.5 ft) from the projected position of the bow of the barge, are some metal objects and a piece of timber, which are thought to have come from the Daresbury. The Daresbury was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument on 21 March 2014. Scheduling gives legal protection to an archaeological site that is considered to be of national importance.
The Daresbury has survived reasonably well and has retained a number of key characteristics. She has the potential for providing insight into the construction of boats in the 18th century. There is also “abundant contemporary documentation” about this particular vessel.
The area covered by the scheduling is the whole of Sutton Lock, an area measuring a maximum of 37 metres (121.4 ft) by 7 metres (23.0 ft); this is to ensure that any fixtures from the vessel that have been detached are also included.
Near Frodsham Mersey Flat And Weaver Flat Graveyard, Cheshire
The Mersey Flat, Daresbury, is the only known pre-1840 survival of a once widespread regional sailing vessel.
She was constructed in 1772 by a boat builder named Samuel Edwards.
By 1792–96 the Daresbury was employed on the Weaver Navigation carrying coals. It is thought that she was lengthened in the early 1800s. At some time in the 19th century, possibly in 1864, she was even converted into a floating derrick. Repairs were carried out on the vessel in 1926 and in 1934, and she was still afloat in 1956.
She was moved to Sutton Locks on the River Weaver in 1985 and sunk.
Plans were made to recover and restore her and to move her to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, but these were found to be impractical and were abandoned.
The flat lies partly submerged towards the west end of Sutton Lock, with part of the hull above the water line. The barge measures 17.5 metres (57.4 ft) long by 4.88 metres (16.0 ft) long. The hold, about 9 metres (29.5 ft) long, is full of water. Also partly submerged, about 9 metres (29.5 ft) from the projected position of the bow of the barge, are some metal objects and a piece of timber, which are thought to have come from the Daresbury. The Daresbury was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument on 21 March 2014. Scheduling gives legal protection to an archaeological site that is considered to be of national importance.
The Daresbury has survived reasonably well and has retained a number of key characteristics. She has the potential for providing insight into the construction of boats in the 18th century. There is also “abundant contemporary documentation” about this particular vessel.
The area covered by the scheduling is the whole of Sutton Lock, an area measuring a maximum of 37 metres (121.4 ft) by 7 metres (23.0 ft); this is to ensure that any fixtures from the vessel that have been detached are also included.
Near Frodsham Mersey Flat And Weaver Flat Graveyard, Cheshire
It’s not the only one I spotted one yesterday next to monkey Island in the River Mersey at howley I put some photos on Facebook