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Episode 23

Ep23.The Severn Bridge Disaster

57 year old Harry Phillips woke up at 4am and got ready to leave his home in Purton to start such a shift. He groaned at another hard day transporting oil and petrol on his barge, the Severn Pioneer.
He said goodbye to his wife, telling her that he would be home by 9pm that evening as it was a shorter trip that day. His mate, George Butler, 35 was already onboard getting everything ready and making the small cabin homely for the day's work.

But of the 8 men who formed the crews of the three oil tankers which were swept away up river from the entrance to Sharpness Harbour by the fierce running tide, only two were saved.


THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England. If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME…

Email: info@backtracker.co.uk

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK


SOURCES
Bristol Evening Post - Monday 06 February 1939

Gloucester Citizen - Monday 06 February 1939

Gloucester Citizen - Wednesday 08 February 1939

https://www.friendsofpurton.org.uk

https://www.severntales.co.uk/1939-disaster.html

Credit

zapsplat.com

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About the Podcast

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The BackTracker History Show

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Alice The Backtracker

Hello there! My name is Alice and this is The Backtracker History Show Podcast where I ask you to join me on a meander down through the archives to find out more about the people, places and events from the past.

From tales of pirates and privateers to murderers, tragic accidents to war time escapades, this podcast has it all.
The show is originally aired on Bradley Stoke Radio, in Bristol, England, before being released into the wild in the form of a podcast.

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