Archaeologists will search for a Viking boat underneath a Wirral pub.
In 1938, the remains of a clinker-built boat were found when workers were digging the foundations of The Railway pub in Meols. It is said that they were told to cover it and carry on building the pub, in order to meet a tight-schedule and finish the building.
However, one of the diggers, named John McRae, made the drawing of the 'boat' and its rough position. Local interest in finding the boat, described as being around 20–30 feet in length and possibly an old transport vessel or fishing boat, grew over the years.
READ MORE: Historic city pub to close for major revamp
A radar search was commissioned around eight years ago, which confirmed a boat was indeed underneath the pub's patio. Now, a team of archaeologists will begin a project to determine its origins.
Starting today (February 18), Viking expert Professor Stephen Harding from Nottingham University and Wirral Archaeology CIC will begin work - 85 years after it was spotted by builders. It has been thought that the boat is of Viking origin but this investigation will be the first attempt to find the truth.
A team will work with the pub owners, Greene King, to drill 100 narrow bore holes beneath the front of the pub. They will then take samples of the wood and its surrounding for analysis. This will then reveal if it is indeed of Viking origin.
The pub's general manager Lisa Jones told the ECHO there is a "buzz of excitement" for the project around The Railway.
She said: "The story goes that when somebody went for planning permission for the patio at the front of the pub, some local farmers said it was fine but we’re a bit worried about the boat. Then everyone said: ‘What boat?’ - nobody knew.
"For years they’ve been trying to work out who’s going to work on it, who’s going to pay for it. It’s finally happening.
"We've worked with the archaeologists for quite some time now, so for it to actually be happening is amazing. Everybody - the customers and the staff - are so excited and we can’t wait to find out what is actually down there.
"We’re going to set up an information centre inside the pub, so hopefully people will want to come and see what’s going on. We’ll still be open as usual."
Chair of Wirral Archaeology CIC, Dominga Devitt added: "There has been intense local interest in this buried object for many years. It has been thought that the boat dates from the Viking era but no professional investigation has ever been carried out to establish the truth, so everyone is really delighted at the prospect of what we might discover."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT
Police officer faces dangerous driving probe over young woman's death
'I'm more broken than before' admits mum after losing nine stone
Thomas Cashman in court ahead of Olivia Pratt-Korbel trial
Gino D'Acampo's Liverpool restaurant slapped with one star hygiene rating
Iceland fans praise 'tastiest ever' Slimming World meal
Share a Random Act of Kindness and celebrate Merseyside's warm heart
