Brocklebank and Wincham

Brocklebank and Wincham see here at Albert Dock, Liverpool (North West England) on 26th April 2007.

(source - Philip B Parker @ http://www.btinterne...e_gallery_4.htm)
Brocklebank was built in 1964 by W.J.Yarwood & Sons Ltd., of Northwich, Cheshire. She opearted as a ship handling tug on the River Mersey throughout the 1960's and 1970's and also assisted at Heysham and Barrow for ship launches. She was also engaged in towing hopper barges laden with stone from Dinmor Quarry, Anglesey for the construction of the Seaforth Dock complex. Withdrawn from commercial service in 1988 she was purchased by the Maritime Museum in 1989 and has been a regular visitor at many Maritime festivals around the British Isles, right,                                            Length 32m. Beam 8.9m. Gross tonnage 172 tons, Speed 12 knots, Bollard pull 18 tons.

Wincham - information from the National Historic Ships web site @ http://www.nhsc.org....Vessel/vref/504

Status:Designated Vessel
Function:Cargo Vessel
Type:Weaver Packet
Location:Canning Half Tide Dock, Liverpool, England
Current use:Museum: floating
Length between Perpendiculars:29.90 metres (98.03 feet)
Length Overall:31.38 metres (102.90 feet)
Gross Tonnage:210.00
Net Tonnage:115.00
Draught:2.013 metres (6.60 feet)
Maximum Breadth:6.7405 metres (22.10 feet)

Built 1948 by Yarwoods, Northwich for ICI Liverpool, a small motor cargo vessel built to carry goods in bulk on the west coast of England. She is built of riveted steel, has a diesel engine and is the last of a class of 5 vessels built for ICI. Her working week would encompass 2 or 3 trips with chemical products from the ICI works at Winnington on the River Weaver to Liverpool and Birkenhead for transfer to deep sea vessels.

In 1977 she was sold to Bulk Cargo Handling Services Limited whose colours she still carries.

In 1983 she was withdrawn from commercial service and purchased by the Wincham Preservation Society Ltd who maintain and operate her from her berth at Canning Dock alongside the Merseyside Maritime Museum. The Society received a grant of £47500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2002 and she is maintained in operating condition.