Home

Bertha Oldest Steam Vessel 1844 - 2000

 
 

Bertha the steam dredger was believed to have been designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1844 being 50ft long and weighing 70 tons.

For 127 years she worked in the docks until in November 1971 she was taken away to and moved to the Exeter Maritime Museum where she will be restored and put to work in the canal basin.

It was a unique piece of mechanical engineering and locals felt it was terrible that she was not kept in the town.

Mr David Goddard director of the museum said many of the iron plates had no rust on at all. Mr Goddard said even if it wasn’t built by Brunel it is an exact copy of his work and just like the one which used to be at Bristol.

 

She has since been placed elsewhere.

In May 2000 Bertha was returned to the docks for part of the Bridgwater Docks 800 celebrations where Jim Day who reportedly saved the dredger from being scrapped in the 1960’s after he saw workmen about to smash her up. Mr Day age 90 at the time said “I feel proud to see Bertha back, especially when I think that she could have been lost forever.”

The Bridgwater Maritime Day was planned for 10 June 2000. 

 
 
 
Flag Counter