A war-time ferro-concrete barge serves as a mooring for "Excelsior" and other vessels visiting the Excelsior Yard. Around 1944, 273 of these barges were built of concrete to a standard hull design, in order to save steel. They were completed either as dry cargo barges, or as tank barges for drinking water. | | 1944 | | | | Helped supply the Allied armies with fresh water following D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. Redundant after the PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) pipelines became operational a few weeks later. | | | | c1949 | | | | Found adrift off Lowestoft and salvaged. | | | | 1950 | | | | Purchased by Fletcher's Boatyard and sunk with her deck was just above high water to form a 'T' head to their jetty on the north shore of Lake Lothing. Thereafter served as a handy berth for small vessels and the many RNLI lifeboats they maintained. | | | | 2005 | | | | Raised, and donated by Ron Wheeler to the Excelsior Trust to serve as a mooring barge. Slipped for the first time since she was built and found to be in excellent condition after 55 years under the water, demonstrating the longevity of concrete construction, and the briliance of the design. Now serves as a berthing barge for "Excelsior", and any other vessels visiting the yard. | |
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