IT’S one of the most unusual – and perhaps eerie – spots in Gloucestershire, writes Paul Wiltshire.
The Distinctive Purton Hulks between the River Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal is made up of wrecked ships strategically placed to protect the river bank from erosion.
Some of the latest pictures on our Gloucestershire Camera Club Facebook group page show some of the abandoned boats – and some newer ones tied up.
They were taken by photographer Joe Weaving – some using an infra red camera.
He says on the page that they were taken with an infra red converted camera, a 17-year-old Pentax.
Biggest ships’ graveyard
The site is said to be Britain’s biggest ships’ graveyard, with most of the vessels beached there in the 1950s.
Concern over the risk of the river flooding the canal dates back to 1909, when the river bank collapsed.
Where to find it
To find the site, travel along the A38 and take the turning signposted Breadstone Halmore– Purton.
Travel for two miles and take a right turning on the sharp left-hand bend signposted Purton.
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