List of active Thames sailing barges explained

A Thames sailing barge is a type of commercial sailing boat once common on the River Thames in London. The flat-bottomed barges with a shallow draught and leeboards, were perfectly adapted to the Thames Estuary, with its shallow waters and narrow tributary rivers. The larger barges were seaworthy vessels, and were the largest sailing vessel to be handled by just two men.

The average size was about 120 tons and they carried 4200square feet of canvas sail in six working sails. The mainsail was loose-footed and set up with a sprit, and was brailed to the mast when not needed. It is sheeted to a horse, as are the foresails so need no attention when going about. The topsail was the main working sail in heavy weather, the upper reaches of the rivers and constricted harbours. It is controlled from the deck by halliards, in-hauls and sheets. The mizzen boom is sheeted down to the rudder- assisting the helm. The masts are mounted in tabernacles so they can be lowered to shoot bridges with little loss of headway. The bowsprit where fitted could be 'topped' where space was limited.

List of Thames barges sailing in the 110th Medway match 2018

List of Thames barges on the National Historic Ships list

(1899)

List of Thames barges illustrated by images on Commons

A

B

C

D

E

G

H

I

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

V

W

X

List of Thames barges sailing built in 2019

Snark (2016-9)

See also

References

Notes
  • References

    • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Active. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    2. Web site: Archived. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    3. Web site: Hydrogen . National Historic Ships UK . 22 September 2024.
    4. Web site: National Historic Fleet. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    5. Web site: Ardwina. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    6. Web site: Lady Daphne. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    7. Web site: Raybel. National Historic Ships UK. 22 February 2018. en.
    8. Web site: Wyvenhoe. National Historic Ships UK. 3 March 2018. en.
    9. Web site: Thames Sailing Barge Parade. thamessailingbargeparade.com. 9 August 2017. en.

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