Castlerock Yard

Perhaps most famous of Runcorn's yards was the long-lived Castlerock Yard.

Over her history she was owned by various generations of the Anderton family (including a partnership as Anderton & LeCouteur), Philip Speakman & Sons, and finally Richard Abel & Sons.

The photograph above is of RUTH BATE under construction in 1953 and comes from an unknown source (investigated by the Runcorn & District Historical Society). That on the left is a close up, taken by the author, of the Blue Plaque marking the history of the yard. It is on display on the nearby Railway Bridge and is one of three nautical plaques created in collaboration between the author and Stuart Allen. Stu Allen is the man behind the Blue Plaque scheme for Runcorn and his excellent work has passed on so much of Runcorn's heritage to her people.

The local style of vessel, the Mersey Flat, is preserved in only two examples still surviving. Both of them were connected to this yard. MOSSDALE was built in Chester but bought and rebuilt by Abel's. She can be seen at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. OAKDALE, launched from Castlerock in 1951, is owned by Dave Keenan and can be seen at Askam-in-Furness.

To read more on Mersey Flats and OAKDALE in particular, please visit the Mersey flat OAKDALE Refit Society (MORS) website. Volunteers are always very welcome to spread the word and to come along to help with preservation work on this important historic vessel.