Historic home of Bridgnorth's last boatbuilder gets a new lease of life

Williams Oakes boatyard was at 46 Underhill Street in Bridgnorth.

He had been a master boatbuilder who operated in the town until the turn of the century.

His home is among a number of locations in Bridgnorth to appear in a new book by local historian Clive Gwilt.

Mr Gwilt, whose book entitled “Lost Bridgnorth” will feature 300 pages of all the buildings and changes that have been made to the town, said he visited this property a few days ago and its now been refurbished to a very high standard as an Airbnb.

He said records show the original property was built in 1741.

"It was the home and business of William Oakes, Bridgnorth’s most famous boat builder," said Mr Gwilt.

He said the boatbuilder was famous in his time for creating a number of craft including the hull of 'The Brig Severn' designed to carry nearly 300 tonnes of timber between Gloucester and the Baltic.

On March 14, 1855, a ship was also launched at Mr William Oakes’s Boatyard at 10.30 am. It was 300 tons and was watched by many of the townsfolk.

However, Mr Gwilt added: "The last trow was built at Bridgnorth at William Oakes’s boatyard in Underhill Street named ‘Fame’. It was 26.7 ton and measured 70 feet x 15 feet and had a 3 foot depth in her hold. 

"She had decks above the cabin space fore and aft, and a single mast with square rigging. It was of carvel construction (i.e. with all the planks flush) although most Severn vessels were clinker-built (i.e. with overlapping planks). The Lower Dockyard was situated on the west bank of the Severn opposite the lower end of the Bylet.  In the construction of barges and trows, oak was mainly used with elm for the keel. The name trow appears to have derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘trog’ meaning drinking vessel or hollow vessel."

But my 1908, the boatyard had ceased trading, said Mr Gwilt. 

He added that this year, the building has been brought back to life as an Airbnb, which sleeps six.

"It has really been done to a good standard," said the historian.

If you want to contact the owner for more information on staying at 46 Underhill Street contact the owner at: [email protected]