DIVERS searching for a mystery sunken barge in the Lancaster Canal have located its silt-covered remains.

The wooden vessel was discovered in shallow waters around four feet deep.

Experienced diver Matt Cropley waded into the canal at Field End, Stainton, while roped to two colleagues on shore for safety.

Through the neoprene boots of his drysuit, Matt was able to trace the concealed outline of the barge's gunwale, or deck beams, through layers of mud and silt.

He also brought ashore loose timbers from the historic vessel, which has been identified as a typical horse-drawn Lancaster Canal wooden barge, measuring 72 feet long and 14 feet wide.

Praising the divers' efforts and expertise, Frank Sanderson of the Lancaster Canal Trust, said that the discovery was the culmination of months of research, but that mystery still surrounded the sinking of the craft. There has been speculation that it was abandoned due to contamination after carrying the bodies of diphtheria victims, around 1920.

"We've probably got as far as we are ever likely to do, unless it awakens some memory in one of the Gazette readers, but at least we've found out where the barge is and we know what type of a barge it was," said Mr Sanderson, public relations officer.

"Whether it was anything to do with diphtheria or just abandoned because more modern-style barges were coming along, we don't know, but it was very enjoyable working with all these local people."

Diving officer Brian Loader, of Kendal and Lakes Sub Aqua Club, told the Gazette: "We had reconnoitred the spot before and came to the conclusion that the most likely spot was in a reed bed where reeds weren't quite as prolific, and that fitted in with local knowledge."

Brian and fellow diver Phil Coates sent Matt into the chilly, 4°C waters on a rope for safety, as they were unsure how deep the silt would be. Matt was clad in a dry suit with thermal under-layers, and he did not require oxygen tanks as the water was only chest-deep.

Mr Sanderson said that, during the canal's industrial heyday, the horse-drawn barge would have transported cargoes of limestone and up to 70 tons of coal. The craft were usually run by a man and wife who lived on board in living quarters decorated with roses-and-castles artwork.

The Lancaster Canal Trust had contacted the canal's custodians, the Canal and River Trust, for permission to dive the site prior to dredging, due to a massive build-up of horsetail weed. The work is needed before the National Trailboat Festival, which is to take place on the canal from May 30 to June 1.