Concrete barge near Winthorpe near Newark, Nottinghamshire
When I was younger my parents used to take me on walks in Winthorpe just outside of Newark. One rather unusual feature of these walks was a large, disused (not 100% sure what you could use it for) concrete barge on the bank of a lake next to the river Trent. No one that I have asked knows why this barge is there or what is was used for. The vessel is huge (probably 20m+) and I would love to know a bit more about it anyone got any ideas?! Here is a picture courtesy of those dastardly people at Google…
And here are some more pictures, taken on location no less:
And what always goes hand in hand with a concrete barge? A concrete toilet cubicle of course…
kate said
am June 6 2009 @ 8:31 pm
Hey,
I tried to contact the Winthorpe Historic Society, but after waiting one month i believe they’ve all turned into fossils. On the website they talk about a wall of ships that were used during the Cromwell days, but i’m sure they didn’t have concrete then.
Goodluck with your quest
kate said
am June 6 2009 @ 8:47 pm
OMG- the fossils have awoken!!!
I happened to get this after i made the comment, how spookey. It explains a lot, enjoy Mr Langley
Good Evening Kate.
I enclose some information about the concrete barge on Winthorpe Lake.
The lake was opened in February 1937 by the Hull Water Transport Co. for the extraction of sand and gravel.
The two small rusting steel boats, which are on the opposite side of the lake to the concrete barge, were left there as in a graveyard.
The concrete barge was used as a lighter in the docks of Hull during WW2. Bombing had destroyed the docks and cargo ships so lighter barges were used temporary storage of the remaining cargo. Concrete was used in the manufacture of the barges as all steel was used in the war effort.
The barge was moored in Winthorpe Lake as it was unable to get any further in the River Trent. During a bad storm the barge broke its moorings and ran aground. It was then purposely holed to prevent any further movement.
Mr. Pat Finn.