I.A.Recordings
Industrial Archaeology

Recent Projects:

The Severn Trow "Spry"

The sailing barges of the River Severn were known as "Trows". The Spry is the only remaining example, and has been lovingly restored by Alan Williams of the Upper Severn Navigation Trust.

I.A.Recordings has followed the progress of the Spry since 1983, when the rotting hulk was craned out of the docks in Worcester. Rebuilding was completed in May 1996 and the Spry was transported to Bristol to participate in the International Festival of the Sea.

In June, the oldest working steam tug, "Mayflower" towed the Spry up the River Severn and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to Gloucester Docks, where she can be visited today.

Broad Street Warehouse

Another recent project was also waterway-related. In Wolverhampton in the English Midlands, an old canal warehouse was about to be converted into a night club.

British Waterways, who owned the building commissioned I.A.Recordings to record the building and its historic cargo handling equipment in action.

British Waterways employees and local volunteers dressed in 1930's clothing re-enacted traditional canal cargo handling - a sort of Industrial Archaeology costume drama!

A narrowboat laden with barrels and sacks was unloaded with the belt-driven hoists and cranes and loaded onto a vintage lorry.

The project was sponsored by BW, The National Waterways Museum, The Black Country Museum and Ellesmere Port Boat Museum.

There are many productions and compilations on the theme of waterways and new compilations based on these projects will eventually be released.

Back to I.A.Recordings Home Page

Last modified 31/1/99