Louis Paul Barnett 2019

Celtic timbers, now sadly litter the foreshore after being dashed to pieces by the unrelenting waves of the Severn Sea.  Various line of enquiry are currently being investigated both regarding her past life in the employ of ICI and the actual date her eventual abandonment on the foreshore. This of course has been greatly narrowed by the recent discovery of Mr M Watson’s hand written entries inhis Harbour Masters work books of 1952 -1955 in which he details the following: 

1954 3 – 4 – 5 May Barges put into position on river front to prevent further erosion
1954 June Barges placed on river bank, work party Gardner, Watkins, Smith Vine & Prosser.
1954 Aug Barges placed on river bank work party Gardner, Watkins, Smith & Vine.
1954 Sept Two old mud barges placed on river bank work party Gardner, Watkins, Smith & Vine.

Work goes on to unravel the mysteries of this very busy time in bank protection.

Not recorded in 1930 Mercantile List
Not recorded in 1951 Mercantile List
Not located in aerial looking North 1957 
Not located in aerial looking Pine End 1957 
Not included in Graham Farr 1959
Located and fairly intact  13th May 1967 Norman Andrews photo
Located and broken up in 1971 John Daniel photo
Recorded in Colin Green 1996 Chart

Graham Farr Photo Archive

Aurora, Ajax and Celtic seen at Bristol Bridge 7th November 1934
Aurora and Ajax seen at Bristol Bridge 11th November 1934

Eureka!! 8th April 2019 – A Great Day

A recent visit to the Bristol Archive and a deep delve into its wonderful collection has unearthed the following:
Port of Bristol Authority
Register of Vessel laying up books
Ref PBA/MGT/AD/14/1-6

Celtic 1.05.1957 – F.A. Ashmead & Son Ltd – 75 Burthen – 27.08.1957 for BU
Where birthed – Totterdown
Total Birth fees paid £6-15s-6p

Emerald 1.05.1957 – F.A. Ashmead & Son Ltd – 75 Burthen – 27.08.1957 for BU
Where birthed – Totterdown Junction – Pooles Wharf – Totterdown Junction – Totterdown Basin Total Birth fees paid £4-14s-9p

This is therefore conclusive evidence that both the Celtic and the Emerald as formerly owned by Fred Ashmead, a company renowned by its history for beaching its old timber fleet in various places on both the River Avon at Sea Mills – (Ruby and Gem), Purton (Harriett and Dursley) and now Lydney (Celtic and her alleged sister ship Emerald).  We thank the company for them all and eagerly await to see where others will turn up!!