News / Cafes
Floating cafe reopens two years after sinking
Moored against one wall of the docks, Greenshank is an integral part of Bristol Packet‘s fleet of six boats.
But two years ago, she wasn’t moored against the wall; she was at the bottom of the harbour after a burst valve caused her to fill with water and then sink into the murky depths, with only her sign remaining above the surface.
After a rescue operation, she remained in Albion Dockyard for a refit that took 18 months and is now shipshape and Bristol fashion, ready to welcome customers onboard for the summer season.
“We missed out on two summers so it seems almost a relief to have it back after the frustration of not being able to operate for two years,” said Bristol Packet director Luke Dunstan on a recent morning.
“We have been trying to get it back up and running but with the running of all of the other boats, it has been hard work.
“Seeing people on board is making us all very happy and proud.”
Bristol Packet director Luke Dunstan on board Greenshank, which was built by Harland & Wolff at their Woolwich shipyard in 1936 – photo: Martin Booth
When the Greenshank and the Dutch barge it is attached to sunk in the early hours of June 15 2021, it was remarkably the second time some of its fixtures and fittings had disappeared beneath the waves.
Much of its teak had been salvaged from a merchant ship sunk in the Irish Sea during the First World War.
Being a hard wood, the teak survived its second sinking while all of the softwood, for example in the heads (toilets in landlubbers’ terms) has been replaced.
The canal boat and barge – which are bolted together like a catamaran to improve their stability – have had a new paint job and have also got new hidden safety features.
The Greenbank is moored between the SS Great Britain and Brunel’s Buttery – photo: Martin Booth
“After all the drama seeing it on the bottom, to see it on the top again with people on it is a great feeling, especially after all the hard work in getting it back up,” added Luke.
“People enjoy being close to the water in this beautiful part of Bristol, soaking up the ambience of the docks.”
From Thursday to Sunday, Greenshank will be open from 1pm to 10pm. For more information, visit www.greenshankcafe.co.uk.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Historic boat sinks in early hours of morning
- Greenshank refloated and towed into dry dock for repairs
- Boaters to seek judicial review for harbour fees hike
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