Monument record 4842 - Boat graveyard at Sutton Locks, Weaver Navigation

<1> Stammers M (ed), 1999, Mud Flats. Archaeology in Intertidal and Inland Waters around the Mersey Estuary., p.1 (Report). SCH5366.

Sutton locks on the Weaver navigation was abandoned in 1955 and became a boat graveyard. At least 25 vessels were sunk there, including canal narrow boats and "Mersey Flats". These include the flat "Daresbury" built in 1772 for the Weaver Navigation company and still in use in 1957.

This collection of hulks is one of a number of sites in the area where large number of boats were disposed; however Sutton lock is only one that has not been deliberately infilled.

<2> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

Aerial photographs show the abandoned hulks clearly.

<3> Airviews Ltd, 1983-5, 1983-1985 Airviews Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5296.

<4> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993), Aerial photographs show the abandoned hulks clearly. (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

<5> The GeoInformation Group, 1999-2001, Millennium Survey, Aerial photographs show the abandoned hulks clearly. (Aerial Photograph). SCH4609.

<6> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Watson M 26/08/2010 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<7> English Heritage/DCMS, Various, Notification of inclusion, amendment or removal from the Schedule of Monuments, Patrickson L 21/03/2014 (Written Communication). SCH6764.

The remains of a Mersey Flat sailing barge known as Daresbury situated within the west end of Sutton stop lock on the Weaver Navigation. The Daresbury, was built in the latter part of 1772 by a Samuel Edwards, boat builder. In 1792 and 1796 she is recorded as being owned by the Weaver Navigation Trust employed in carrying coals. The boat was still afloat in 1956. In 1985 Daresbury joined the graveyard of other waterways craft at Sutton Locks on the River Weaver, it being sunk in the smaller of the two disused locks. Daresbury is grounded and largely submerged within standing water of unknown depth, with the upper parts of her hull surviving above the present water line.