Thames Barges

A Thames sailing barge represented a category of commercial sailing vessel that was prevalent on the River Blackwater, Maldon, the River Crouch, Burnham, and notably the River Thames in London during the 19th century. These flat-bottomed barges were ideally suited for the Blackwater, the Crouch, and the Thames Estuary, characterized by their shallow waters and narrow rivers. Furthermore, these barges engaged in trade much further afield, reaching the northern regions of England, the South Coast, and even ports in continental Europe. The types of cargo transported were highly diverse, including bricks, mud, hay, refuse, sand, coal, and grain. Thanks to the effective design of a Thames barge's rigging, a crew of merely two was sufficient for the majority of journeys, although it would have constituted arduous physical labour by contemporary standards.

The overwhelming majority of these barges were constructed with wooden hulls (though a notable number were also made of steel), measuring between 80 and 90 feet (25 to 30 m) in length and approximately 20 feet (6 m) in beam. The hull design was as distinctive as their rigging, featuring a flat bottom with a slight flair to the sides and plumb ends. The stern was designed as a transom, resembling a cross-section of a champagne glass, to which a large rudder was attached. The hull primarily consisted of a hold with two small living quarters located at the bow and stern, with access provided through two sizable hatchways: a smaller one positioned before the main mast and a significantly larger one located behind it. Typically, these vessels were rigged with sprit sails on two masts. Most featured a topsail above the expansive mainsail and a large foresail. The mizzen mast was considerably smaller and supported a single sail, primarily intended to assist with steering during tacking manoeuvres. This rigging also permitted a relatively extensive sail area on the upper section of the mast, enabling the capture of wind when moored vessels, buildings, or trees obstructed airflow across the water's surface. The sail areas varied from 3000 to 5000 square feet (300 to 500 m²), contingent upon the size of the barge.