Ferry part may go on display

A wheel from a Shropshire ferry, which is believed to have transported residents to sporting events more than 100 years ago, could be restored and placed back near the River Severn.

The wheel, which would have originally stood within the river loop in Shrewsbury, was  raised from the depths on October 8.

The work was carried out by divers from Shrewsbury Sub-Aqua Club with the help of a crane provided by contractors working on the Quantum Leap sculpture.

A spokeswoman from Shrewsbury Marine, which helped organise the salvage operation, said it was now hoping the wheel would be restored and placed on display in Frankwell to remind people of a time when few bridges crossed the river and people had to rely on ferries or boats.

Troy Milward, from Shrewsbury Sub-Aqua Club, said: "It took a while to plan and it took three hours to get it out of the water.

"We think it used to stand at the site of an old mortuary but it fell in the river some years ago.

"The other side of the ferry's working are still there by the marina."

Mr Milward said the ferry wheel would have been mounted on the river bank and attached to a gear on the other side which could be turned to pull the ferry across.

He added that the wheel had been found in seven and a half metres .

Janet Hordley, from Shrewsbury Marine, said it had known the wheel was believed to have been last used sometime between 1910 and 1920.

She said: "I'm really keen, after everyone's gone to all this trouble, that we get it put on show as it would make a lovely feature in Frankwell.

"The ferry would have run across to the showground 100 years ago."