AMersey flat is a type of doubled-endedbarge, that were commonly used on theRiver Mersey.
Traditionally, the hull was built ofoak and the deck waspitch pine. Some had a single mast, with afore-and-aft rig, while some had an additionalmizzen mast. Despite having a flat bottom and curved sides, they were quite stable.[1] They were common from the 1730s to 1890s.[2]
The length of a flat was from 62 to 70 feet (19 to 21 m) long, with a 6-foot (1.8 m)draught and a beam of 14 feet 9 inches to 17 feet (4.5 to 5.2 m). They could carry up to 80tons of cargo,[3] and this size allowed them to work along theBridgewater Canal, theSankey Canal and the northern parts of theShropshire Union Canal. The Weaver flat was a larger version of the Mersey flat, measuring 90 by 21 feet (27.4 by 6.4 m). Its draught was 10.5 feet (3.2 m) and when fully loaded, could carry 250 tons.[1]
As the name suggests, these flats originated on theRiver Mersey, but they were also used on the riversIrwell andWeaver.[4]
Most Mersey flats had been converted todumb barges by the end of the 19th century, towed by horses or by steam tugs. The larger Weaver flats were fitted with steam engines, and later with diesel engines, although there were still around 20 working by sail in 1935.[1] Both the Liverpool Maritime Museum and theEllesmere Port Museum have a Mersey flat in their collections, neither of which actually worked under sail.[4]
 | This article about a type of ship or boat is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |