This plaque is erected to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the
Severn & Wye Railway Bridge disaster which was struck
and partially destroyed during the night of the
25th October 1960 by two John Harker tankers
ARKENDALE H
Built: Lowestoft,
Richards Ironworks Ltd. 1937
Length: 132.7ff Width: 22ft
Depth: 8.7ít Gross tonnage 229
WASTDALE H
Built: Sharpness,
Sharpness Shipyard Ltd. 1951
Length: 131.7ft Width: 21.3ft.
Depth: 9.1ft Gross tonnage 233
Dedicated to the memory of the five crew who were lóst,
the three survivors, and the many gallant rescuers who together played
a part in the tragic events of that fateful fogbound night
George Thompson,
Percy Simmonds,
Robert Nibblett,
George Cooper.
James Dew,
Jack Dudfield,
Alex Bullock,
Malcolm Hart.
Eternal father,
strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
(william Whiting 1825 - 1878)
Sponsored.by the People of Gloucestershire
Formed by www.medamsell.co.uk Stonemasons
by S. Aldridge
Original bridge stone- Donated
Erected by the Friends of Purton
25th October 2010
Open
12th Jun 2021