The Leicester Trader heritage barge lifted out of the water at Newark Marina for inspection
Newark’s 51-tonne floating museum was lifted from the water for inspection on Monday using a giant crane.
The Leicester Trade, which is often open to visit, on the river just opposite Newark Castle, was moved to Newark Marina on Sunday.
The barge, at 82ft long and 14ft wide, was one of the biggest boats to ever be lifted at the marina.
The boat’s last inspection was at the marina in 2014 and 2015 where the whole bottom was replaced.
Monday’s inspection revealed the barge to still be in good order and just needed repainting, cleaning and applying anti-foul paint to protect the hull from marine growth.
Les Reid, the barge’s keeper said: “It is a relief for me to see the condition of the barge and now I know it will be good for another ten years.
“Leicester Trader is the last of its type to be built in 1953 and the first ones of the same pattern were built here in Newark as wooden sailing barges.”
The boat will re-open for visits on Sunday at Riverside Park.
“The Leicester Trader is in very good condition, it is remarkable to see.
“I am always supporting heritage and history and Newark is a town full of history and I am very pleased to have it here at the marina for inspection.”
The floating museum needs new volunteers to maintain its current open days — every Sunday and Bank Holiday until September.
The barge’s last open day this year coincides with the Heritage Open Day and Newark’s Dragon Boat Race on Sunday, September 15.
People who are interested in learning about the river’s history can visit the boat and speak to Les about the opportunity to volunteer.
Bruce Kirkland has been volunteering at the Leicester Trader for the past three years.
He said: “I like the water life and it runs through Newark so it is full of history so it is a pleasure to volunteer here.
“The Leicester Trader is one of the last boats to be built of its type, it is obviously much wider than a normal canal boat and it used to work between Nottingham and Hull.”
