Building A new Thames Barge

[ThamesSail]

Dear All
I'm a welder with a passion for sailing barges, I've owned a Dutch sailing barge built in 1902 and a Humber Keel from 1910 but my desire has always been to build my own Thames sailing barge and have recently moved to the historic Barge port of Mistley in Essex on the Stour estuary which has re-ignited my plans but I really don’t know where to start.
I know that historically allot of steel Thames barges were built in Holland and would like to know of anyone with any information regarding designs and plans that I could use.

I am currently off-line due to a home move and I have infrequent access to the net but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and Kindest Regards
Chris

[Crag Cay]

If you're serious, I would have a word with Andrew Wolstenholme. He designed Charlie Ward's barge yacht and would be able to let you have details of what that took to build that at 45ft and what would be involved with building a full size version at about ten times the scale.


Wolstenholme Yacht Design Ltd
The Flint Barn
Westbourne Road
Coltishall
Norfolk NR12 7HT
England
Tel: 01603 737 024

[ThamesSail]

Thank you Crag Cay
I am serious although am currently between jobs and have no location for the construction of this barge, I will contact Andrew and ask if he has any pointers on which direction I would start.
Cheers
Chris

Selway Fisher has some barges too!

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mcover30.htm

Ahh, ja, and welcome here!

Regards
Richard

[Crag Cay]

Selway Fisher has some barges too!

Chris is living at Mistley. He has the urge for a Thames Barge. I don't think Selway Fisher have plans for anything like that.

Right Crag,

a Teign barge and a narrowboat is what they offer.

[keith66]

As the old ones numbers shrink it is only a matter of time before someone builds a new one! A nearly new one was built a few years ago by using the centre section of a thames lighter, cutting the swim ends out & fabricating new bow & stern.
There were quite a few Iron & steel barges built some with rounded chines but beware copying this idea as they were very poor sailers.
If starting from scratch there are plenty of good designs of proven fast barges around as many of the best had the lines taken off, be nice to see a replica of Giralda built!

[peter radclyffe]

it would, also paul winch designs

[peter radclyffe]

Sailing Barge Association Home Page - [ Traduci questa pagina ]Thames barge photo. Discover the greatest living example of. Britain's rich and varied Maritime ... Thames Barge

[capt littlelegs]

Originally Posted by ThamesSail

Dear All
I'm a welder with a passion for sailing barges, I've owned a Dutch sailing barge built in 1902 and a Humber Keel from 1910 but my desire has always been to build my own Thames sailing barge and have recently moved to the historic Barge port of Mistley in Essex on the Stour estuary which has re-ignited my plans but I really don’t know where to start.
I know that historically allot of steel Thames barges were built in Holland and would like to know of anyone with any information regarding designs and plans that I could use.

I am currently off-line due to a home move and I have infrequent access to the net but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and Kindest Regards
Chris

I have some names of steel barge owners that my be able to help.

[capt littlelegs]

A few steel Thames barge owners that might be able to help with plans or advice.

SB Xylonite moored Maylandsea owned by SB Cabby skipper Rebecca Polden. Tel: 07739 540051

SB Decima moored Heybridge Basin or Faversham owned by shipwright Tim Goldsack. I don't have his current number.

SB Reminder moored Maldon owned by Topsail Charters. http://www.top-sail.co.uk/reminderandrepertor.htm

SB Mellisa a very nice recently restored barge moored Pinmill owned by Jonathon and Richard Webb, Webb's Boat Yard. Tel: 01473 78058.

You could also try Gerard Swift another barge skipper who should have Tim's number. Gerard Swift 01206 735090 email swift.gerard@googlemail.com

Hope that helps.

[capt littlelegs]

Originally Posted by keith66

As the old ones numbers shrink it is only a matter of time before someone builds a new one! A nearly new one was built a few years ago by using the centre section of a thames lighter, cutting the swim ends out & fabricating new bow & stern.
There were quite a few Iron & steel barges built some with rounded chines but beware copying this idea as they were very poor sailers.
If starting from scratch there are plenty of good designs of proven fast barges around as many of the best had the lines taken off, be nice to see a replica of Giralda built!

Yes the hard chined barges sail best, Tim Goldsack put chines on Decima.

[keith66]

Re plans, it is worth trying the Science museum as they have a lot of historic plans also the National Maritime museum, bear in mind most of these will be lines plans only & construction plans for welded steel construction would need to be drawn up.

[capt littlelegs]

Originally Posted by keith66

Re plans, it is worth trying the Science museum as they have a lot of historic plans also the National Maritime museum, bear in mind most of these will be lines plans only & construction plans for welded steel construction would need to be drawn up.

I suppose for a much bigger selection the lines could be taken from any Thames barge for building in steel, they're all a bit different so taking the lines from one with the best all round attributes might be an idea. Many apparently were built by eye so original plans may not exist anyway.

[peter radclyffe]

have you found horlocks data in a local museum, colchester maybe, pauls ipswich, edme co, manningtree