Part of Rail from Barge ERNEST PIPER

Museums' Exhibitions

Click on the titles and pictures below to enter the online exhibitions
or click on the museum names for musuem information.

The Spritsail Sailing Barge

Index

Introduction

The spritsail barge was a very common sight in the Orwell and other rivers of the Thames estuary in the 19^th and the first half of the 20^th centuries. Many capable of carrying over 100 tonnes, they brought grain from London docks to the mills and maltings of Ipswich; carried straw, bricks, fertilisers, paper, coal, timber and many other cargoes between the quays, docks and river banks of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and London.

The design of the barges, with their relatively simple rig and leeboards (a type of lifting keel on each side of the hull), means they can sail in the narrow, shallow and often twisty waterways in this area but can cross the North Sea and go further afield in favourable conditions. The usual crew was 2 men - the skipper and a mate who was often a teenager.

In the mid-20^th century, most barges were stripped of their masts and sails and operated as small motor ships. Road transport eventually made the commercial cargo-carrying barge redundant and today no barges carry freight. Most barges were broken up or abandoned but Ipswich Maritime Trust has in its collection parts that fortunately have been salvaged from such vessels before their final demise.

However, around 30 - 40 barges have been saved, re-rigged and are sailing again as private pleasure boats or for holiday chartering. Barges can often be seen near the Old Custom House here at Ipswich Dock and at Pin Mill on the River Orwell.

Add a Comment

The Spritsail Sailing Barge

Page 2 of 4

Part of Rail from Barge ERNEST PIPER

Part of rail from barge “ERNEST PIPER”Part of rail from barge “ERNEST PIPER”

Built in Greenwich in 1898 and at one time owned by Metcalf Motor Coasters Ltd of London. Regular trader to Suffolk ports. Sold for conversion to a yacht in 1950.