Does anyone know how to find out about a bombing accident on one of Bristol Docks Dredger's.
Mu Husband's Father Tony Palmer had to throw a bomb back in the water,whilst dredging and it blew his leg off.This was in 1968.
Also any information on how to find out about the dredgers The Colne and the Wyley(I think i've spelt them correctly) would be great as we cant find anything on the internet.
Thanks

I do remember the incident mentioned, I was working on the tug 'Cabot' at the time, if I recall correctly the bomb was dredged up at West Wharf 5 at Avonmouth Docks by the dredger BD5 (I think), this was a dredger from the "small flotilla" which used a crane equipped with a grab to dredge close to the quay wall.The grab would deposit the mud it picked up onto a grating across the top of the hopper any mud or water would pass through but anything bigger, in this case a bomb would remain on the grating.

I think there were two "small flotillas" one based at Bristol which was used in the City Docks & Feeder Canal the other at Avonmouth Docks. Both flotillas had grab dredgers & attendant hoppers Wyle & Coln were two, they were propelled by large "outboard engines" & were very manouverable

You should be able to find out more about the dredging fleet by contacting the Bristol Port Company your best contact would be John Morgan the habour master. hope this will help you.

Thanks Terry,
I shall contact the Bristol Port Company and see if they know anything.
Thank you for the information,it's most interesting,cant wait to tell my Husband.
Regards
Rae