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Wrecks of the Mersey flats
Eustace Carey,The Mercantile navy list of registered sailing vessels, 1919.
A tow of barges on the River Mersey, 1920's.
Mersey Flat Rudder
Once sited at the edge of the River Mersey, east of the railway dock entrance. The rudder stands 11 feet(3.35m) tall, and weighs 22 cwt. (1117 kg). The timbers are bound together with wrought iron strapping.
The ‘Gallium’ outward bound at the Sankey Canal entrance, 1930's
A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since Widnes Dock disappeared. Its operations in the ’twenties, ’thirties and early post-war years kept it pretty busy, this picture shows the ‘Gallium’ heading out into the river.
The ‘Gallium’, a steel screw steamer with two bulkheads, was built at Northwich and launched in 1917.
She was owned by the United Alkali Company and passed to Imperial Chemical Industries when that company was formed in 1926.
She was sold to T. J. May and Company and subsequently went to Dutton Massey with whom she remained until 1964 when she was broken up.
The ‘Gallium’s last ICI crew were Alf Hough (captain), George Dunbavand (mate) and Harry Davies (engineer).
On the early tide to join the shrimpers at New Brighton, 1967.
It's very quiet on the West Bank marshes. The river breeze blowing over the blackened ribs of barge hulks, and cattle grazing by the brightly painted boats drawn up from the tide line make a peaceful scene.
The Marshes, marred by pollution and the ring of factories, but still the riverman's haven, 1967.
Jeff Poole (left) and Mike Mannion fit a capstan to the “Polly" 1967.
Ken Rowlinson of White Street doe's some work on the “ Uno," a Runcorn registered shrimper owned by Robert Jones of Davies Street, 1967.
Two "old sea dogs" Harold Copeland and his Labrador enjoy an afternoon on the " Westwind," used for weekend trips and duck shooting, 1967.
Shrimping vessels moored at Widnes Warf, 1990's.
The remains of the Ship Building yard's slipway as it approaches the River Mersey, 1876-2026.
A view of Widnes Dock showing the Boat yard, centre right, 1890.
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