Lost worlds

[shewhomust]

The Thames barges were unique vessels: between 80ft and 95ft long, 20ft wide, capable of setting a spectacular 3,000sqft of sail (bigger than a tennis court) and carrying up to 170 tons of cargo (the equivalent of four articulated lorries). Flat out on a beam reach, they could fly along at 12 knots (about the same speed as an America's Cup yacht of the era). Not only that, but they could be sailed, famously, by "one man, a boy and a dog" - though, as Jim said, it would have to be "a bloody good dog".

From the Guardian's obituary for Jim Lawrence, one of the last people to skipper a Thames saoling barge. In later life Jim became a sailmaker, and "[h]is sails featured in TV programmes such as The Onedin Line... and a long-running Beck's lager ad campaign." Which means that I have seen his work, because that last refers to the green sails of the Alexander von Humboldt. This connection makes me happy, though I have no photographic evidence for it.

Comments

[larryhammer]

I once read a series of stories set, hmm, I think the mid-90s?, about a young woman apprenticed as a sailor on a Thames barge, one hired out for pleasure cruises, carrying through to a couple sailing adventures as skipper in her own right. Was a while ago that I read them, and I can't recall the author.

[shewhomust]

Interesting - Lawrence apparently went into charter work, but moved on to sail-makung by the 1970s...

[lamentables]

Thanks for sharing that obit - so interesting.

[shewhomust]

Happy to share!

[sovay]

"His first 'boat' was the garden gate, which he unscrewed and carried a mile to float on a nearby stream. It sank as soon as he stepped on it, which taught him an important lesson in form stability."

[shewhomust]

I liked that too! Also the blackberries.

[boybear]

I remember at school reports in assembly of children having trips on a Thames barge (the Thalatta) - but never hearing how one could get onto one of these trips. It seems that the deal was for children at schools in Redbridge - did that happen at Woodford, too?

[shewhomust]

It's possible that WCHS was in Woodford Green (Essex) rather than the London Borough of Redbridge. I think the borough boundary went across our front lawn at one poit; and we were reorganised, of course -

In other words, I am confused about this. But certainly have no recollection of such jollies...