Flotilla Of Vessels

In 1826, the opening of the port and town of Goole was marked by the arrival of 50 vessels, which had navigated the length of the new Knottingley to Goole Canal, arriving to much fanfare at the newly-built Goole Docks.

Two hundred years on, in a nod to what happened in 1826, on Saturday 18 July a fleet of vessels will navigate the canal, making its way from the Dog and Duck area near Goole Marina, through South Dock bridge, around the docks and back again.

An interesting mix of vessels, including cruisers, Dutch barges, narrow boats, historic keels, commercial barges, tugs, launches and fast ribs, will be led by an Associated British Ports (ABP) survey vessel. The flotilla will be decorated and horns will be sounded to commemorate the port’s 200th birthday celebrations.

This event has been organised by Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society as part of a programme of Waterways Heritage events taking place across the weekend. Members of the public are encouraged to view and photograph the flotilla as it makes its way around Goole Docks.

The approximate timetable for the event is as follows:

• 12.30pm: The flotilla will assemble in the Dog and Duck area of the canal, close to Goole Marina, and members of the public who gather there will be able to wave them off.
• 2.00pm: Flotilla sets off.
• 4.00pm: Flotilla returns to Dog and Duck before dispersing.

The best vantage points from which to enjoy the flotilla include the following:

• The area around Goole Marina and Spicers Auctioneers on the banks of the canal, which can be accessed from Dutch Riverside.
• Public walkways around the docks, particularly the section between the Lowther Bridge and Barge Dock.
• The two road bridges on Bridge Street at West Dock and South Dock.
• Goole Model Boat Club site on Dutch Riverside.

Bicentenary Flotilla Photography Competition: Young people under the age of 25 are invited to take part in the Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society’s photographic competition. All you need if your phone, and entries must be either a photograph or video of the flotilla, taken at the event. Further information, click here.