Thames Sailing Barges

The Thames sailing barge developed from the Dutch barge and has been sailing in English coastal waters since the middle ages

Thames Sailing Barge 'Cygnet', built 1881, sailing in the Medway

Barges becalmed in the Medway Estuary, Kent, UK

Thames Sailing Barge Decima, built 1899, with Clyde Puffer Vic 56 steaming in the background.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Greta', built in 1892, was one of the little ships that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940

Thames sailing barges 'Greta' and 'Edme' in the centenary Medway Barge Match, 2008.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Edme', built in 1898

Thames Sailing Barge 'Repertor' built in 1924

Thames Sailing Barge 'Reminder', built in 1929, leads the fleet into the Medway estuary.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Adieu' far out in the Thames estuary

Thames Sailing Barge 'Centaur' built in 1895 rounding Garrison Point, River Medway estuary

Thames Sailing Barge 'Decima' in heavy weather, rounding Garrison Point, River Medway.

Thames Sailing Barge fleet in Saltpan reach, River Medway.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Marjorie', built in 1902, off Sheerness port, River Medway, UK

Thames Sailing Barge 'Repertor' leads 'Decima' on the run back into the River Medway estuary

Thames Sailing Barge 'Reminder' goes about.

Thames Sailing Barges inbound from the outer mark, centenary Medway Match, 2008.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Whippet', is slowly overhauled by 'Greta', Medway Centenary Match, 2008

Thames Sailing Barge 'Marjorie', built in 1902, rounds Garrison point in heavy weather, Medway Match 2005.

Thames Sailing Barge 'Decima', built 1899, under full sail in the River Medway

Thames Sailing Barge Adieu, built 1929, sailing in the Medway estuary

Thames Sailing Barge 'Cygnet', built 1881, sailing in the Medway

Thames sailing barge 'Edme' with the paddle steamer Kingswear Castle in close attendance.

Thames sailing barge Edme rounds Garrison Point at Sheerness on her way down the Medway

Crew members working on the bowsprit of Thames sailing Barge Adieu

Thames sailing barge Adieu in the Medway estuary

Thames sailing barge Edme in heavy weather off Garrison Point, Sheerness

Thames sailing barge 'Reminder' on a lazy day.

Thames sailing barge Centaur, with reduced sail, battles a gale in the Medway estuary

Thames Sailing Barge 'Edme', built 1898, runs before the wind, Medway Match 2007