The barge, Badger, was built by the Priestman Brothers and bought by Wick Harbour Authority as a harbour dredger. She was used for a number of years before she became neglected even sinking at her mooring in the 1960s. She was subsequently raised and sold for scrap to local man Mr William (Billy) Manson. Mr Manson sold some of her machinery off for scrap before towing the Badger round to Ottergoe, about half a mile north of Wick, for breaking up. Although the Badger was run up on to the shore at Ottergoe and tied to a large fence strainer, a severe gale arose one night and the next morning the Badger and the fence were gone!
In 1960 an attempt had been made by the Scottish Home Department to withdraw the 70 ton Badger from service at Wick, but Wick Harbour Trustees did not want to part with it. The request from the Home Department was based on the fact that Wick Harbour's Dry Dock was being closed and it was felt that the Badger's services were no longer required. It was unanimously decided by the Trustees to protest to the Home Department as it was felt that Wick Harbour would become silted up, with over 5000 tons of silt already having been removed by the Badger that year.
In 1960 an attempt had been made by the Scottish Home Department to withdraw the 70 ton Badger from service at Wick, but Wick Harbour Trustees did not want to part with it. The request from the Home Department was based on the fact that Wick Harbour's Dry Dock was being closed and it was felt that the Badger's services were no longer required. It was unanimously decided by the Trustees to protest to the Home Department as it was felt that Wick Harbour would become silted up, with over 5000 tons of silt already having been removed by the Badger that year.