This is only conjecture. suposition, guesswork, coincidence as no hard evidence is in my possession but………
What I know to be true is that during the 1940’s, 1950’s and into the 60’s The prow of a substantial barge stood proudly out of the river bank slightly upstream of Rosemead at Priding the top timbers had gone but the lower timbers remained as did the Bow post well tarred and supported by a heavy iron strap. Tide after high tide would hit the Bow post with a resounding Thwack! slowly wearing everything away. Then suddenly it was all gone!
It is my belief there must today be some items remaining…nails an inch square and probably a foot long, rotted timber well hidden and silted over by tide after tide.
Various reliable sources leads to the possibility this was the ketch “Rose” built in Bristol in 1882 of 64 tons and originally owned by A. Johns of Gloucester. Later she was to be owned by Harry Purcell of Fretherne who traded her with coal from Bullo Pill to Framilode, Finally selling her to Charles Camm at the Homestead Priding in the late 1920’s to early 1930’s. Charlie operated Summer Rowing boats for hire and allegedly bought “Rose” to stabilise the bank….someone put a large barge into the bank at Priding… more research needed!
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