Victorian barge emerges from Edinburgh canal

SECRETS of Edinburgh’s industrial past were revealed yesterday as archaeologists uncovered a Victorian barge found buried in the Union Canal.

The 70ft-long vessel, found between Leamington Lift Bridge and Viewforth Bridge, dates back to 1840. It was a working horse-drawn scow used to ferry coal and farm produce between Edinburgh and Lothians.

Experts have now deduced that it was abandoned at the turn of the 20th century when trains took over as the main mode of transporting goods.

The barge was found this year during surveys for the ongoing Edinburgh Quay development. But it was not until a fortnight ago that a section of canal around the boat was pumped out and archaeologists started a 20,000 excavation project.

Russell Coleman, of Headland Archaeology which is leading the dig, said: "This is a unique and exciting find."