Firm sunk
Drop in water hits tour business... and reveals rubbish
A boat has been retrieved from the depths of Bath canal after sinking when a sluice gate failed.
Water levels started dropping rapidly without warning after the sluice gate failed near Lower Bristol Road, in Twerton, at around 6pm on Tuesday, September 15.
Around 50 boats were affected by the incident, but a handful sank completely as owners had no time to rescue them.
James Stuart-wigley’s houseboat, The Indian Scout, sank as water levels dropped by 1.8m in less than an hour.
It was pumped empty of water and refloated this week - giving him the first chance to assess the full extent of the damage.
Mr Stuart-wigley said: “I went inside it and it was so confusing, all my stuff was all over the place.
“I’ve now got to try to piece my life together somehow. It really looked like something out of a disaster movie.
“I’d think everything will have to be completely gutted after being underwater so long.”
Mr Stuart-wigley filmed himself entering the re-floated boat surveying his possessions which were scattered all over the home.
He accepts he will not be living on the boat any time soon.
Mr Wigley only had time to fling his laptop and two dogs to safety before his boat sunk.
He has been sleeping in his friend’s campervan next to his sunken boat since being left homeless.
His friend has set up a Go Fund Me appeal which smashed the £1,000 target in 24 hours raising over £2,500 at the time of writing.
The page reads: “James is always the first to help everyone else out, it’s our turn to help our lovely friend in his time of need.”
Mr Stuart-wigley said: “I’ve not really slept since that Tuesday, I am running on empty.
“The problem is that whilst I may get the compensation that won’t be for a while I’d imagine. And in the meantime, I’ve got nothing.
“That’s why when I heard there was a Go Fund Me for me I was really touched.
“My wonderful friend Hannah did that without telling me, bless her, she did it as a surprise. I was shy at first and didn’t want to tell anyone about it but it made me feel really happy.
“Today the sun is shining, my boat is out of the water and people are helping me. It’s really magical.”
Mr Stuart-wigley also praised the work done by the River Canal Rescue group who helped him re-float his boat.
He said: “These lovely men came to help and they were so professional - they managed to get her floating again in about two hours. Absolutely brilliant.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Working in close partnership with the Canal and River Trust, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police, we continue to respond to the incident in Bath which saw a number of boats impacted when the river levels suddenly dropped on Tuesday 15 September 2020.
“We have started the process of re-floating the boats and plan to begin to restore the river levels. This will be done by slowly increasing water flows. We have managed to re-float 2 of the 3 boats that were assessed as being severely damaged. The third boat continues to be assessed.
“This is a very delicate operation and we will be closely monitoring how the boats respond to increasing river levels.
“Work will be halted if any issues are identified and to assess any damage.”
John Rowlands, of the Environment Agency, said: “Our focus and thoughts remain with those who have lost their home and property in this incident.
“Restoring the water levels is a slow process and we are taking every step to do this as safely as possible. Each boat is being closely monitored and work will be halted if any issues are identified to allow us to assess for any damage.
“Members of the Environment Agency, Canal and River Trust, Bath and North East Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police will continue to support those affected and give help and advice on issues like how to access medicine and accommodation.
“However, boat owners are advised to follow advice given by the River Canal Rescue and not to attempt to access or interfere with the stability of their vessels until they have been told it is safe to do so.”