Six hours later they arrived at Sharpness and moored close to the Shipyard.
A day later on the Sunday it was the turn of the CHACELEY to leave Tewkesbury for the last time. This trip had a problem whilst navigating the difficult stretch of the Severn near Gloucester when it was discovered that the aft ballast tank was leaking water. With great skill Chris Witts managed to stop the barge at Black Bridge so that water could be pumped back into the ballast tank. Unless there was a full tank of ballast water at the aft end the barge would not have got safely into Gloucester Lock.
Grain barge TIRLEY leaving Tewkesbury
Grain barge CHACELEY leaving Tewkesbury
Grain barges CHACELEY approaches Haw Bridge
Grain barges TIRLEY and CHACELEY at Sharpness
Because of their age and the fact that they have lain at Tewkesbury for the past nine years it was important to have them surveyed. Arrangements were made with Sharpness Shipyard to have them surveyed in the large dry dock together.
Due to the pleasure steamer BALMORAL going into dry dock today it will be at least two weeks before the grain barges will be surveyed.
To view a slideshow of the weekend visit: barge pics
