Restored ‘mud-hopper’ gets ready to make a splash

AN historic barge that once plied its trade on the region’s waterways will soon be taking passengers on pleasure cruises after years of restoration work by enthusiasts.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th Apr 2012, 07:00 BST

Volunteers from Beverley Barge Preservation Society hope to launch the Sun this weekend after four years of work on the 62-year-old former maintenance vessel.

Society chairman Iain Campbell said another year of refitting work would be needed before the “mud-hopper”, built in Goole in 1960, would be ready to carry passengers. She will then be used on the upper reaches of the River Hull.

“She’s an historic vessel and traditional for these waterways,” Mr Campbell said. “She just gives you the right feeling; it’s hard to explain. We’ll launch her on Sunday and then it will probably be another year before she’s ready.”