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The crews from three Droitwich Trows.

The crews from three Droitwich Trows assemble upon the deck of the “Lilea Venn” on Bristol Docks 1900. The man in white corduroys was a “clean” domestic salt carrier who would not carry coal from South Wales or the Forest of Dean back to Droitwich. He would probably load ninety tons of wheat for the water mills on the Salwarpe. Max.

Bristol 1911 Crew of William.

Skipper George Harris in centre was artist. Max

Harriet by George Harris 1902.

In 1902 George Harris, Barge owner and skipper, painted this picture of the Harriet on a piece of sailcloth using his boat paint. This is virtualy all that is left of the large fleet of Trows which carried thousands of tons of salt from Droitwich to the Severn ports, London and the French coast as well as the fishing harbours.
Before refridgeration salt was vital for peserving the fish on it’s journey to the shops. The Harriet was the largest boat capable of loading 115 tons. The Droitwich Barges lasted for over 100 years with the salt preserving the wood. When they were scrapped the timber was snapped up for houses and barns around Worcestershire. Max.