Gloucester Docks &
the Sharpness Canal

Launching a Wye Trow

T Nielsen & Co of Gloucester have built a replica of the type of sailing barge once common on the Rivers Wye and Severn to be used to carry the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012.

The design is based on the trow excavated at Lydney in 1991 but is smaller in size. It was built in a shed at Nielsen's shipyard in the early months of 2012, and the photographs below show it being launched into the Main Basin on 28 March and subsequent trials.

First the hull was lifted on to a lorry to move a few hundred yards from the shed to the quayside. (Photo: Mike Wood)

The hull was lowered into the water accompanied by three cheers from workers and spectators. (Photo: Mike Wood)

 
The mast was stepped, the rigging was set up and rowlocks and tiller were fitted.

 
Finally, the trow was rowed around the Basin with about twenty of Nielsen's men on board.

On 11 April, the trow was taken down the canal by a crew of rowers from Herefordshire.

On 27 April, the trow was taken for a sail in the Basin at Gloucester. (Photo: Dominic Mills)