WELCOME

Welcome to the website of the Thames Sailing Barge Trust.

A century ago over two thousand Thames sailing barges were used to transport goods around Britain and to Europe. Usually sailed by two men they were as at home in the shallow Essex creeks as sailing in the North Sea and English Channel.

Now only thirty one remain in sailing condition (click here for list). We are the owners of two of these magnificent barges, Centaur and Pudge.

Our objectives are to preserve our barges in sailing condition for the public benefit. We promote and teach the practice of the traditions and skills of seamanship involved in the sailing, handling and maintenance of our craft. Run entirely by volunteers they are the subject of restoration projects and maintenance work in the Winter and sail the Thames Estuary and the Essex, Suffolk and Kent rivers in the Summer months.

Please use the links at the top of this page to find out more about us and what we do.

• Site maintained by Vince Webb
• Last updated 15 Mar 2008