Thames sailing barge

The Thames Barge or Thames Sailing Barge ( German about: Thames barges or Thames sailing barge) is a small cargo sailing ship type.

History

The widespread type of vessel was used at least since the 17th century on the River Thames. Its use extended period to modern times. The ships were changed in their design again and again and adapted to new circumstances. Today, about a handful of historic vehicles are only obtained, which are operated as traditional boats or recreational vehicles.

Method of construction

The design was described in 1768 Fredrik Henrik af Chapman's Architectura Navalis Mercatoria for the first time in more detail, the roots go back further. The hull of the wide wooden cargo sailing ship with sprit sail and jib has all the stages of development a flat bottom to dry out on the falling tide can. Early designs have fore and aft blunt tapered ends with raised ship's bottom, delayed and especially the last buildings fit more of the type from other Flatboats, for example, the Dutch shipyards. The building material was wood initially, but later the ships were increasingly Kompositbauten and eventually built of steel. The vessels described by Chapman were open with the sides diverging outer planking, late ships resemble conventional flat-bottomed boats with vertical Steven, where the largest part of the deck is claimed by the single large hatch. The only foldable for passage of bridges mast is located about a third forward. The ships have two centrally located large side swords. The sail consists of a large sprit sail and a foresail.