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Old Dock House, Sharpness
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Old Dock House, Sharpness
Old Dock House at Sharpness Old Dock, Gloucestershire. Boat hulks are on the bank of the dock. These are the Purton Hulks, deliberately sunk in 1950s to protect the bank. Largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain. They include Severn Trows and wooden colliers. First published The Sunday Times Date: circa 1987
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Media ID 19533827
© Philip Dunn / Mary Evans Picture Library
1987 Bleak Breakwater Canal Dock Docks Dunn Eighties Gloucester Gloucestershire Philip Pier Piers Sharpness Tidal Tide Bleakness
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Old Dock House at Sharpness Old Dock, Gloucestershire: A Bleak and Historic Waterfront This evocative photograph captures the Old Dock House at Sharpness Old Dock in Gloucestershire, England, during the 1980s. The Old Dock, a tidal dock, was once a bustling hub of maritime activity, but by the 1950s, its fortunes had waned, leaving behind a hauntingly beautiful scene. The image shows the Old Dock House standing proudly against the backdrop of the Severn Estuary. The dock, with its distinctive piers and entrance, is a testament to the area's rich maritime history. However, the bank of the dock is now home to an unusual sight - the Purton Hulks. These boat hulks, including Severn Trows and wooden colliers, were deliberately sunk in the 1950s to protect the bank from erosion caused by the powerful tidal currents. The Purton Hulks are now the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain, and their bleakness adds to the sense of melancholy that pervades the scene. The hulks, with their weathered decks and rusted masts, stand as silent sentinels, bearing witness to the past glory of Sharpness Old Dock. The photograph was taken by the renowned photographer Philip Dunn, and it perfectly encapsulates the mood of the place. The sky is overcast, adding to the sense of stillness and calm that envelops the scene. The tide is out, revealing the hulks that lie dormant on the muddy banks. The pier, with its worn-out planks and rusted railings, seems to stretch on forever, leading to a seemingly endless expanse of water. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the changing fortunes of Sharpness Old Dock. It is a snapshot of a bygone era, a time when the dock was a thriving hub of maritime activity, and a reminder of the beauty that can be found in the bleakness of the past.
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