The Severn Trow

The trows plied their trade along the River Severn. It was one of the most important waterways in Europe. Of all the varied craft that have sailed the Severn the trow was the most suited to the task.

A fleet of 39 were based at Madeley Wood during the Industrial Revolution, but they had been used for centuries.

The earliest reference to the trow was in 1411. An appeal was made to King Henry 1V to take action against the piratical activities of trow owners. It had little effect, as further appeals were made in 1427 and 1429.

Protection Racket

The trow owners wanted to monopolise the river trade. They were not adverse to attacking smaller craft and stealing the cargoes. If the owners of these craft hired the trows occasionally, they suffered no further attacks. It was a blatant protection racket!

That the trow men were capable of behaving in such a manner is hardly surprising. History has recorded them as being broad-shouldered, foul-mouthed individuals. Their only pleasures in life were swilling ale, womanising, bare-knuckle fighting, bull baiting and cock fighting.

Free Passage

There had been conflict between landowners and trow men regarding the fishing weirs for a long time. They hindered navigation along the river. The weirs consisted of series of logs that were laid in the centre of the riverbed to form a chevron. Fish would swim in and be trapped. At low water levels, the trows were unable to go around them.

During the reigns of King Henry V11 and V111 some attempts were made to ensure free passage. It was not until Queen Elizabeth 1 came to the throne that legislation was passed to remove the obstructions.

Bowhauliers

If the trow men were men to be avoided, then the Bowhauliers were even more so. At times of calm weather these stockily built men would haul the trows along the river from the bank. A rope was attached to the bows and each man pulled a cargo weighing 3 tons for 24 miles.

Striking a Deal

Deals were struck at the Mug Inn. It was named thus because deals were made with a mug of beer in the hand. They used a red hot poker to scorch the beer tally into the beams of the boats.

Low Water Levels

People did not welcome the Trow men or Bowhauliers when they were laid up ashore. At times of flood or drought the Alehouses would have been their only sanctuary. In 1708 it was recorded that there was insufficient water for navigation on an average of 146 days per year. The worst year being 1796, when even the smaller vessels were laid up for 234 days.

The Waiting World

Despite the uncertainty of navigable conditions, river transport was still more cost effective and reliable than the trackways ashore. Though uncouth, it was the Trow men and Bowhauliers who carried the products downstream to the waiting world.