Built in Paglesham in Essex by the Shuttlewood brothers in 1903, this is one of the few remaining Thames Sailing Barges. Pagelsham Creek was the final resting place of HMS Beagle and local legend has it that this vessel is partly constructed from the timbers of Darwin’s famous ship.

Originally built to carry coal, she was subsequently used to transport agricultural and building materials, and latterly explosives in and around the Thames estuary. She ceased trading in the 1960s and was converted for private use. Her engine was installed during an extensive renovation during the 1980s.

Thames sailing barges remain one of the most efficient cargo carriers ever devised. This example was capable of carrying more than one hundred tonnes of produce into the heart of the city of London crewed by only a man and a boy. Her shallow draft meant she could navigate far inland to rural ports. Once her sails were stowed her sprit became a useful crane for handling cargo.

That’s enough of the history lesson . . .

This is a truly fabulous example – inside and out. The open plan interior offers superb living space and the cabin layout could easily be converted to provide a number of private cabins. The galley is fitted out to the highest specification using high quality materials and the whole interior is a well thought out balance of old & new.

All in all, a wonderful combination of originality and contemporary living space.

She comes with an optional residential mooring in a not-for-profit, community owned residential mooring for historic ex-working vessels in central London. These moorings are extremely hard to come by and this is for sale at £200,000. This facility is dedicated to historic barges that pre-date 1963, and outwardly largely reflect the original trim of their working life. There is a full time moorings manager and a members’ pier house with Wi-Fi and meeting facilities; there's also a kitchen, toilets and a shower for visiting craft. This boat’s mooring is on the down-river inner arm of the pontoons and gives unencumbered access to the river. Please not that whilst the boat is for sale without the mooring, the mooring is not for sale on its own.


These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

This Thames Sailing Barge 90 - optional residential mooring has been personally photographed and viewed by Brian of Boatshed London. Click here for contact details.