Disasters on the Severn

The River Severn is one of the most dangerous rivers in the United Kingdom, especially the Severn Estuary. Many lives have been lost as man endeavours to work and live alongside the longest river in Britain. With the second highest rise and fall of tide in the world life can be difficult when manoeuvring a ship of any size in the estuary.

4th February 1939 The First Severn Bridge Disaster Three tanker barges overturned in the estuary off Sharpness. They were taken with the tide into the piers of the Severn Railway Bridge. Of the eight man crew, six men were killed

25th October 1960 The Severn Bridge Disaster Two loaded tanker barges, the Arkendale H and the Wastdale H were off Sharpness when they came together in thick fog. The tide took them into a pier of the Severn Railway Bridge and two spans came crashing down onto the barges. There was an explosion and of the eight man crew, five were killed.

16th February 1961 The Loss of the BP Explorer The BP Explorer was loaded and bound for Sharpness from Swansea. As the loaded tanker barge made her way up the Severn Estuary she suddenly turned over. It was not until the following day that the tanker barge was seen bouncing her way, upside down, through the wrecked Severn Railway Bridge. Her crew of five men were killed. The BP Explorer was salvaged and rebuilt as the BP Driver, but on the 31st January 1962 she was driven aground at The Nash, but fortunately her crewed were saved.