Building A new Thames Barge

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by ThamesSail, Apr 28, 2010.

  1. ThamesSail
    Joined: Apr 2010
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    Location: Mistley, Essex

    ThamesSail New Member

    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
     
  2. Crag Cay
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    Crag Cay Senior Member

    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
     
  3. ThamesSail
    Joined: Apr 2010
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    ThamesSail New Member

    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
     
  4. apex1

    apex1 Guest

  5. Crag Cay
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    Crag Cay Senior Member

    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.
     
  6. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    Right Crag,

    a Teign barge and a narrowboat is what they offer.
     
  7. keith66
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    keith66 Senior Member

    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!
     
  8. peter radclyffe
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    peter radclyffe Senior Member

    it would, also paul winch designs
     
  9. peter radclyffe
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    peter radclyffe Senior Member

    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
     
  10. capt littlelegs
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    capt littlelegs New Member

    I have some names of steel barge owners that my be able to help.
     
  11. capt littlelegs
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    capt littlelegs New Member

    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.
     
  12. capt littlelegs
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    capt littlelegs New Member

    Yes the hard chined barges sail best, Tim Goldsack put chines on Decima.
     
  13. keith66
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    keith66 Senior Member

    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.
     
  14. capt littlelegs
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    capt littlelegs New Member

    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.
     

  15. peter radclyffe
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    peter radclyffe Senior Member

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