Barge Sailing
The red-coloured canvas of sailing barges and fishing smacks has long been a familiar sight on the Thames Estuary and its tributaries. Unpretentious and excellently adapted to their purpose, these unwieldy-looking workhorses once carried heavy cargoes with a skilled crew – often of just two people – navigating their trusty vessels using only wind and tide.
Today only a few surviving craft ply a commercial trade, but thanks to an enthusiastic group of owners a number continue to voyage up and down the East Coast, competing in an annual series of races – called Matches – and allowing passengers to get a taste for travel under sail.
In Kent, Tiller & Wheel is custodian of two historic vessels – the Sailing Barge Edith May and the Whitstable Oyster Smack Thistle F86. Sailing experiences vary from short-trip to full-day excursions, and private charters are available for up to 12 people; those who’ve signed up to the Patron crowdfunding initiative get access to further exclusive experiences such as Barge Match events.
•www.tillerandwheel.com
Sailing from locations in Essex, Suffolk and London, Topsail Charters was established in 1987 with its HQ in Maldon, Topsail Charters has three beautiful barges: Thistle, Reminder and Hydrogen. Launched in 1895, Thistle was first owned by a coal merchant from Battersea. Built in 1906, Hydrogen is a Coaster whose fine lines and sturdy construction are a great example of the shipwright’s craft. During WWII Hydrogen was sent to the Clyde to work as a supply ship and around that time her engine was fitted. In the early 1980s she was bought by Bells Whisky and converted back to sail; annual UK circumnavigations to promote Bells’ brands meant she becamse known as the ‘Whisky Barge’. She joined the Topsail Charters fleet in 1992 and in 2012 took part in the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, representing Essex for the day. One of the last barges built, Reminder was launched at Mistley in 1929; a Champion in Thames and Medway Barge Matches
All three vessels are available for private hire and public cruises, with the most popular trips including a two-island trip from Maldon, an Orwell River cruise from Ipswich – with an extended version venturing towards Mistley on the Stour – and a Thames cruise which transports passengers beneath Tower Bridge downriver towards the Thames Barrier.www.top-sail.co.uk
Registered Charity the Thames Sailing Barge Trust vessels are 1922-built Pudge (right) and Centaur, first launched in 1895, each of which offers public and private charter cruises. The barges are based in Maldon, Essex; both are on the National Historic Ships Register and are recognised as Dunkirk Little Ships – Pudge helped save the lives of 160 French and British soldiers and has recently been the subject of a five-year Heritage Lottery Fund restoration and refitting project. www.bargetrust.org.
Barges and smacks compete in a series of races – known as Matches – each summer on the Orwell, Colne, Blackwater, Thames, Medway and Swale rivers. Ultra-photogenic, the Matches offer a great opportunity to see vessels competing at close quarters under full sail. If you’re keen to get on board some – The Sailing Barge Association has a comprehensive list of the boats available for charter.