Whitstable ended it's working association with the Thames Barge over three decades ago but the legacy remains and the vessels can still be seen at the time of the  annual barge races.

In this section we team up with our readers to document a few memories, discuss some of the history and share a range of photographs of the Thames Barges of Whitstable. 

There are of course a number of excellent sites that discuss the history, function, design and construction of barges. However, we hope to add to that picture by doing what Simply Whitstable is so well positioned to do.... linking design and construction to real people and examining how such vessels became an integral part of a close knit community. 

We still have a long way to go to achieve the full picture but we have made a good start here and we would like to extend our thanks to all those who have contributed to the feature so far.

 Barge Pictorials...

Photo collections of  barges in Whitstable in recent years.... kindly supplied by visitors to Simply Whitstable.....

At Harbour

Including a lovely selection of photos by Ann Nash 

At Sea

Including shots from Dave Jordan and Peter Dalrymple

At Sunset

A selection of sunsets taken at the time of the barge matches

From Shore

Photos taken from shore during the barge match in the year 2000  

Acknowledgements...

List of contributors

The Thames Barge Art Site of Michael Land

http://www.thames-barge-art.co.uk

A Brief
Background

Background to the Thames Barge.... Where and why it plied its trade in Whitstable... Impacts on the local community 

Simple Guide to the Barge

Barge elements and terms

Harbour Operations

Barge operations and methods at the harbour

Barge Operators

Barge Operators of the past including Daniels Bros. The complex question of barge ownership

Rescue - 1923

Bravery of local skipper George James Packman when 3 local barges were struck by a Cunarder

Bargemen

Stories of bargemen... and their families

Barges of the Past?

Names  and brief histories of some barges that  visited the harbour

The Vigilant

The barge that may never have visited the harbour.... may never put to sea from Whitstable...  but served the town for 40 years.

Restorations

Where to obtain details of barge restorations.

The Greta

Thinking of a barge trip or hire from Whitstable harbour?Here we devote a section to Steve Norris's beautifully restored Thames barge Greta and include contact details

Barges in the Flood

Barges during the Flood of '53

Visit the Society for Sailing Barge Research

SSBR