Bijou

Until recently, R&W Paul millers occupied a prominent position dockside in Ipswich, with its towering mill building and monochrome signage. Thanks to a programme of renovation, the docks area has morphed into The Waterfront, with smart apartment buildings and restaurants to match.

At the turn of the 20th century, R&W Paul were a medium sized business, milling grain for the brewing and other industries and ran a small fleet of Thames Barges to transport their goods at their convenience. In 1906, the Thames Barge 'Ena' was built in their name and she entered service, sailing between ports on the east coast, delivering a range of cargoes for the milling company.

On the 8th June 1940, the barge, now renamed 'Bijou', arrived at the port of Mistley, loaded with a cargo of maize. There she remained for quite some time, until the fateful night of the 3rd July that same year. She fell victim to a Luftwaffe bomber dropping its hold onto the docks. The vessel caught fire and in an attempt to save the other vessels tied up alongside, she was cast off. The crew were rescued and stayed on dry land, but they could have only watched as the wooden craft burned out in the river.

Almost 74 years later, the wreck remains visible at low tide from the quayside.