1954 Thames Barge

CONSTRUCTION: Steel

YEAR: 1954, converted 1994/5

DIMENSIONS: LOD 77′ 10″, BEAM 18′ 1″, DEPTH 6′ 6″, DRAFT 3′ 7″ (leeboards raised) 12′ (leeboards down)

KEEL TYPE: Barge

COLOUR: Black hull with green, red and white trim

INTERIOR: Accommodation for 18 in 6 cabins (plus saloon) plus galley and 3 heads, one with bath

ENGINE: Perkins 540 V8 185 hp diesel with indirect cooling

RIG TYPE: Spritsail barge

MAST/SPARS: Steel, with a wooden topmast and mizzen

SAILS: Main, mizzen, topsail and foresail in tan Duradon plus staysail in red and white striped Terylene

EQUIPMENT: Internal: This is a very large, spacious vessel. The main companionway leads down into the saloon where there is seating for the entire ship’s complement. This takes the form of long settee berths to each side (all with lockers under) and there are tables and chairs to enable 18 to dine together if wished. To port there is a fully equipped bar, forward of which is the vessel’s galley. This is unusually spacious and very well equipped including: 2 full-size cookers, a full-size fridge/freezer, Valiant water heater, sink unit, worktops and vast amounts of storage. Going forward from the main saloon, the heads is to starboard and provides a hand basin, toilet (the vessel has a 200 gallon holding tank with diverter for pump-out or discharge to sea) and a bath. Forward of this there are four 2-berth cabins. Going aft from the saloon, there is a second heads to starboard (with toilet and hand basin) and the master’s cabin which, amongst other things, also contains the Navigation desk. A secondary companionway leads up onto the aft-deck. There is further accommodation in the forepeak, where there is a 3-berth cabin with en-suite toilet and hand basin. Next to this there is a workshop with workbench and ship’s stores plus 4 kva Ruggerni generator (recently had a new alternator), power unit for the Petter anchor winch, pump for deck wash, etc. Headroom throughout the boat is excellent – over 6′ 6″. Her upholstery is in warm, traditional tones and all of her woodwork is immaculately finished (see photographs). She has electric lighting throughout and is fitted with shore-power. Navigation equipment includes: Garmin Satnav, Brass binnacle compass, Sailor VHF and navigation lights. She carries 500 gallons of water and diesel. She is equipped with fire extinguishers (including an automatic unit in the engine room) and a gas detector unit. Other safety equipment includes life rings and 16 lifejackets. External: the boat has wide decks with substantial gunwales – plenty of space for sitting out. She has wheel steering, employing the traditional screw mechanism. Standing rigging is galvanised and her deck equipment is either galvanised or stainless. Ground tackle consists of a 4 cwt (201kg) Fisherman’s anchor plus 60 fathoms of chain and a 1cwt (50kg) Fisherman’s kedge anchor. A 12 GRP tender with 9.9 hp Johnson outboard is included.

REMARKS: The vessel has watertight compartments fore and aft and has an MCA license for 12 passengers and a crew of 7. She is very light and airy, with numerous deck lights and could equally well be used as a floating home, highly unusual meeting place/boardroom/etc.

OUR OPINION: A superbly presented and very substantial vessel, which could be used privately for cruising or racing, or as a charter vessel or alternatively as an extremely spacious liveaboard.