Big thanks to Tom Brown who got in touch to share these 2 fabulous ‘old’ newspaper cuttings of his grand discovery!
What he uncovered turned out to be an old river workboat, around 200 years old, which is now accreted into the merse just above the boat house (see photos below).
Tom said, “It was a bit of an adventure recovering it! My good friends John Thom, Gordon and young Jamie Cowan lent a hand. Caused a stir the Saturday we floated it up river. Had been buried in the merse opposite Kenneth Bank. River erosion caused it to break free and be washed out into the main river channel.
Grand wee project!”
Tom has done some research himself, and after recently visiting Jan Thom, forwarded this letter from John Thom (pictured in cutting), dated 30 July 1993 to Mr Lockwood, now Museums manager of Dumfries Museum and Observatory. It gives us more details and makes for very interesting reading!
Dear Mr Lockwood,
Following the recovery of the wooden vessel from the channel of the River Nith at Kennethbank, Glencaple on Saturday 26 June 1993, you may have been in touch with Mr Truckell of Carsethorn and Mr Robinson of Portling who have recently had an opportunity to inspect the vessel.
It would appear that the vessel is a “punt” or “lighter” dating back to approximately 1840. It was probably used for taking goods to and from larger ships at anchor further out in the Solway Firth. This being the case the vessel will have played a significant role in the commerce of Dumfries in the last century.
I would therefore suggest that the vessel may well be worth preserving and retaining as an artifact in Dumfries under the auspices of Dumfries Museum. Obviously the matter will require careful consideration particularly in view of the vessel’s size as it may prove difficult to find a suitable site.
Some temporary arrangement may be required to remove the vessel from its present location at Glencaple in order to protect the vessel from further deterioration and possible break up over the course of the winter months.
It may be beneficial to take advantage of the high tides expected during August and September to refloat the barge to a better position at Glencaple where it could be reached by crane if necessary. This could probably be arranged by the local residents who participated in the original recovery.
If you feed that the vessel is of not historical value to Dumfries Burgh we would appreciate any suggestions as to other agencies which may be interested in its preservation.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. L. J. Thom
We had a wee wander down to the Boathouse this evening at low tide, and saw the preserved remains of the barge (photos below)! Definitely worth having a look!
Tom commented that it’s ‘amazing how nature hid it away for years and years then released it, and then took it back as if to say “you’ve seen enough”‘!
Newspaper cutting Dumfries Courier 22 July 1993:
Newspaper cutting from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard and Advertiser, June 30th 1993:
