Vessels
The ship Importer aground outside the Harbour, 1886
Picture 4 of 64
Ships that mistimed their passage up the river from Avonmouth would sometimes have to 'take the ground' when the tide ebbed. This could be a risky business but in the hands of an experienced pilot, a suitable spot could be chosen to allow the ship to settle safely until the following tide. For several hundred years, every ship visiting Bristol had to do this twice each day, until the Floating Harbour was built.
