Worcester in the 1850’s.

River Severn at Diglis, Worcester.

Painted shortly after the canal opened. A passenger Wherry with canvas coveris is moored nearby. Max

Severn Trow at Diglis, Worcester.

Painting showing Severn Trow laden with two hayricks. 19th century artist Williams Leader lived at his fathers home Diglis House, now Hotel. Father was Leader Williams, Chief Engineer for river Severn commissioners, who built locks at Tewkesbury, Diglis, Bevere, Holt Fleet, and Lincombe and also widened Worcester Bridge.
Williams other son built the Manchester Ship Canal. John Constable used to stay with the family. Max

Worcester.

Painted before the path past the Cathedral was reinforced with old Trows. They were filled with clay and sunk in the bank. The archeologists with their ground radar could find some interesting boats.
When they built Sabrina Bridge they dug through a wooden strucure by Hylton Road, which could be another boat. Max

1840’s painting of river Teme at Ludlow.

The “Interesserant” In the 1840’s the Danish Company of Gronbech and Sonner purchased this fast revenue cutter and started a monthly trade with the Worcester Porcelain Company. I wonder if they carried white clay back to Copenhagen. The Company is still trading in steel products but sadly the Director who knew the history died suddenly. This emphasises that we should all record those little bits of history before they are forgotten. Max

The City of Worcester.

The City of Worcester was purchased to bring fine wines and port to Stallards Cellars from Spain. Max

Worcester in the 1890’s.

The Harriet by George Harris

In 1902 George Harris, Barge owner and skipper, painted this picture of the “Harriet” on a piece of sail cloth using his boat paint.
This is virtually 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 preserving the fish on it’s journey to the shops. The “Harriet” was the largest boat capable of loading 115 tons.
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.
George Harris also painted several interpretive pictures of the salt barges on the Droitwich canal. He used sail cloth and the oil paints from the boats and his ropework is an accurate record of the rigging on these lovely craft which survived to a great age being preserved by their cargo.
Max

Worcester Bridge.
When the present Worcester bridge was built in 1781 by John Gwynne the old stone structure from 1313 was demolished. It originally had a square tower in the middle which was one of the cities six gates.The gatehouse seems to have been damaged in the Civil War and was rebuilt in 1702. Demolition proved difficult and gunpowder was used. I wonder which brave labourer knocked out the key stone. Gwynne’s bridge was widened in 1932 by adding structures on both sides. It can still be seen in the middle of the arches. Gwynne, one of our finest bridge engineers, built Magdalene bridge,Oxford, Atcham and Shrewsbury Bridge. He built the fine Georgian houses to line his Bridge St which replaced Rush Alley. He was a Freeman of Worcester and is buried at St Oswald’s hospital. Max

1820’s Worcester Cathedral from Diglis.

This site was very popular with Victorian artists, where they recorded a variety of boats on the river.A narrow boat is entering the lock followed by a small 20 ton trow of the type using the Teme to Ludlow. max