Thanks Paul for those photos - talk about hot off of the press!!
Sitting here in Clacton I thought that the wind would be blowing
nicely for them, but looking at those photos it looked stonger there.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Thames_Barges
group.

   File        : /BARGES E.doc
   Uploaded by : thamesbarges <thamesbarges@...>
   Description : A - Z of barges part "E"

You can access this file at the URL

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Regards,

thamesbarges <thamesbarges@...>

Is anyone checking out the Files section here? If so can you give
some feedback on the barge names files please.

--- In Thames_Barges@..., "thamesbarges"
<thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
> Is anyone checking out the Files section here? If so can you give
> some feedback on the barge names files please.

This is good reading - must have taken ages to compile! I can't
account for accuracy as I'm a 'novice', but hopefully you got my
email about Henry to your other address?

Cheers for letting me know that they are downloadable from here.

Where is the best place to follow this match, please? I've never
watched this one and it's about time I did!

I have uploaded a large photo of an unidentified barge. The photo
does not look to be too old........... any ideas?

I won't be able to watch this - but I would also like to know the
answer! (I suppose the best place would be onboard a barge!)

--- In Thames_Barges@..., "thamesbarges"
<thamesbarges@y...> wrote:
> I have uploaded a large photo of an unidentified barge. The photo
> does not look to be too old........... any ideas?

What is that white mark in the topsail?

The white mark in the tops'l is a badly digitally repaired photo.
The photo has crease marks, dust and blotches on it......... I must
get around one day to putting it right. Interesting amount of wash
ports in the rail - she's almost perforated!

Thanks Paul for trying. However, if you download that photo you'll
then have the version I have. I would say by the quality etc. of the
photo that it was taken only around 15 - 25 years ago that the photo
was taken and that there is a good probability that the barge is
still in existence. Thanks for your input. When more people realise
that this group is around maybe more input will be forthcoming.
Did'nt you say that you had a barge photo that needed some input
too??

I found this sepia photo of Ironsides (can read the name)in a
charity shop in Horley (near Gatwick).  I think the background is
Southend but have no idea of the date it was taken. Can anyone
hazard a guess? Or even who took it and from which boat!

Hello Paul, I would agree with you about Southend as the background.
I would say late sixties early seventies around the same era as some
copies of photos I have. Blowed if I can remember the name of the
photographer but they look the same (if you know what I mean). As
for being sepia........ can't work that one out as the block of
flats in the background date it otherwise. Check out the Xylonite
photo posted after your photo. I will find out the name of the
photographer of my photos.

Hopefully you can wait until Monday eveing for parts Y & Z as I am not
around until then.

I will most likely be missing this match as I will be putting together
my one man art exhibition (it's nothing special - just a local
exhibition)at the Clacton Westcliff Theatre. If I can get the chance
to view the match I will. (Good luck Simon and Marjorie!)

After the scorching weather, the early morning drive to Gravesend to
see the barges off was most refreshing. We parked just by the
Gravesend Basin, and walked along to the old Clarendon Hotel.
Xylonite, Marjorie, Edme and Repertor were there putting up sail. I
was lucky enough to Repertor leaving Faversham yesterday (hope you
suffered little damage)and shouted good luick to them from the deck
of Henry.

This is yet another match I'd like to 'hitch a lift' on just for the
sake of tracing the East Coast trade route that was so regularly
undertaken. And what a fast start! Edme appeared to steal an early
lead and then all too quickly the grand old ladies were lost to
sight in the mist/pollution that hang over the river that morning.
On returning to the car did I realise that we had inadvertantly
parked at the start line (by the yacht club!) These events need more
advertising - the time of them and the race course itself appear to
be a 'closed shop'.

I've no idea who won or if all the barges reached Pinmill. Can
anyone tell me? No doubt I will have to find time and get over to
Hoo to get a first hand experience from Rob Deards.

But thanks to all those barges/people racing - what a fine sight you
make. See my photos (not too good with the camera I've got).

Thanks Paul for the photos and report on the match......... We'll have
to wait and see for the results. Just looked at the barge diary and
have realised I have also missed the 5th Horlock Rally (Sunday 26th)
at Mistley as well. Weather looked to make the Passage Match a good
race, better than where I was for the weekend anyway!

My art exhibition is now on at the Westcliff Theatre for the month of
July. If you are nearby please pop in, admission is free! Michael Land
(poster uploaded to the "files section")

My art exhibition is now on at the Westcliff Theatre for the month of
July. If you are nearby please pop in, admission is free! Michael Land
(poster uploaded to the "files section")

Hello Paul, Westcliff Theatre is by Clacton Hospital just off the
seafront. Which is handy 'cos after you've seen my
prices...........!!! Seriously though, I have drastically dropped the
prices to suit the venue. Don't worry though they will be going back
up in August! One painting I am hoping to keep for entering into the
Royal Society of Marine Artists exhibition (well can't let Simon
Devonshire have all the glory!!). And as I seem to have drifted onto
Simon's artwork, his paintings are absolutely superb. I cannot praise
them enough. Stunning detail and he captures the atmosphere that only
somebody who sails barges can achieve. Simon put his work into the
RSMA 2 years ago and each year he has had it accepted...... a hard act
to follow.

I have posted a write up from a local newspaper in the album of that
name.

Wow! What a day. 16 barges altogether in one place at one time! What
made it even more impressive was the location. I've never been to
Pin Mill before and I thoroughly enjoyed my whirlwind visit. It's
the first time I've seen both Hydrogen and Betula sailing. Hydrogen
really is a big barge and a wonderful sight. Why do they send the
bowsprit class out first on this match - is the channel too narrow
and it would cause congestion if the slower barges went first?
Wyvenhoe looked imposing with her new colours and Gladys looked
good, although I did prefer the smiling sun in her sail...

As a say a whirlwind visit -a 200 mile round trip to see them all
off and then dash home. I have no idea of the final results but the
conditions seemed perfect for all concerned. So nice to see such a
gathering of people on the shore of Buttermans Bay to watch the
barges away - unlike the start of the Passage Match!

I have (disappointing)photos to post but camera is close to being
binned in favour of a new and more powerful machine.

Finally, I have seen Melissa and took one photo before camera died
on me! How do they know that where the blackline is painted on, is
the approximate waterline?

Finally, what is (if it is, of course), the derleict barge in front
and slightly to the right of the pub? Is she the Leslie West?

Glad you had a good time. Sounds as if Phoenician came off badly in a
collision with Reminder at the end of the match. Probably the barge
you are curious about is Mousme. Leslie West and Maid of Connaught
were broken up at great speed by contractors to the council in a clean
up of Pin Mill. I'll put some photos of those two barges and others in
a Pin Mill album. I don't know how Venture and Waterlily are fairing
but last time I was at Pin Mill Waterlily's transom was on the steps
of Webb's old shop.

Have added a few photos to the Melissa album. I do have some more but
Yahoo seems to pull the plug on groups if too many photos are uploaded
in a 24 hour period.

Good morning from Canada:
Could someone tell me how the tabernacle is fastened to the deck of a
wooden barge. Not having access to anything but pictures and plans I
am unable to see how the mast is supported underneath the deck?
There must be a tremendous strain on the deck. Is there some kind of
post that goes right through the deck and onto the keelson? Nothing
shows on the plans.
Any help would be appreciated.
You can reply to my home address if you wish.
Thanks in advance.
Gerry Elvy
gelvy@...

Hello Gerry

I have not got around to answering your post as events here in the UK
have taken my time.
From my limited knowledge and this is based around modern or charter
barges which have had alterations made to them....... there is no
timber from beneath the mastcase tabernacle to the keelson. If memory
serves. Inside the cavernous hold (and remember I am now looking at a
barge that has been converted so I am seeing both the main and
foreholds in one) there are sufficient beams that run across the
underside. Above on the deck there is a plank called the king plank
that would be around 1" thick by around 9" to 1ft wider than the
mastcase sitting above the hefty deck timbers. This plank runs hatch
to hatch, fore and aft.
Could anyone else confirm this please. Michael