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Ketch Barge ''Pearl of Ipswich''

Hello, As I have mentioned before, I like the workboats from the age of sailing. The sailing caught my interest some time ago on one of my stays in the UK and I recently purchased a number of books on them. interesting history, more to it than I realized. Finally decided to build a Ketch Barge that is categorized as a Boomie as well. Several reasons; I wanted to model one of the larger ones, this one is 85', and I like gaff rigged boats with booms. Topsails a must as well and I like ketches. This one fits the bill and who could resist the chance to set 7 to 8 sails! Frank Carr's book tells the story of the barge Pearl and included plan, elevation, lines and sail plans. Nice bit of information, I can build with that. See attached photos. This will probably be a lengthy build, my Falmouth Gaff-rigged Cutter took me two years. I built that one while on assignment in Grand Cayman using only my small kit OD hand tools. More to come, hope to start this week. Cheers, Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Forum

Re: Build manual/ instructions

Hi, try this > https://docplayer.net/44439682-Building-a-model-thames-sailing-barge.html I can reccommend Model thames sailing at facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1036890286476399/ Tom

5 years ago by tomarack

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Rigging a model barge

Many thanks for your advice. I think you have confirmed what I had worked out from looking at pictures of model and other craft, however the very comprehensive dimensions you have given on facebook are very welcome and will help me a lot.

5 years ago by Nerys

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Book on Sailing

I have an aged bedraggled copy of Edgar March's book, I acquired it about sixty years ago and whilst I think the text is one of the best on the subject and what illustrations there are, are very good, I am of the opinion that the illustrations in the Cooper/Chancellor book are more extensive. The barge plans in March are very good and I imagine can be blown up but I am referring to the depth of useful illustrations of construction and gear in Cooper/Chancellor that I consider so useful.

5 years ago by Nerys

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Book on Sailing

I have always like the English sailing workboats and have built some fishing boats. Now my interest turned to Sailing , found this nice book - Sailing by Frank Carr. It's full of etchings, photos and some line drawings. Think this will be helpful in scratch building a barge. Over 450 pages and found a lightly used copy for $18.00 USD, on eBay. Regards, Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

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Book on Sailing

Interesting, Nice to see it gets around to other countries.

5 years ago by Joe727

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Book on Sailing

I have it in German Language ,great Work 😉

5 years ago by Dampfgerd

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Book on Sailing

Don't forget Mersey Nobbys https://www.google.com/search?q=River+Mersey+working+sailboats&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=fEOcJLd1Lxt5CM%253A%252CBPsj5bxGmE8CFM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kTWKzKjXGx4NwUO8KuLfZiPlmqi2g&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjkiuvBjvbfAhV8WhUIHXiCBskQ9QEwDHoECAMQDA#imgrc=fEOcJLd1Lxt5CM:👍

5 years ago by onetenor

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Book on Sailing

Chris, Don't think I ever thanked you for the information on books. I am ordering the Edgar March book today. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Response

VB30

Thanks for posting the photo of the barge build, gives me some ideas.... I have some tugs in progress, but no . I like the way you framed the hull. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

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Book on Sailing

Hello Joe We seem to be of a similar mindset, my interest is mainly in sail although I have several tugs etc. I found a really useful reference book is 'Spritsail Of Thames and Medway' which was published around 1948 and written and researched by Edgar J March. As well as being interesting and a good read has many illustrations and drawings of old gaffer rigs. May not be easy to find but well worth the effort. Another avenue for information is the Society for Sailing Boat Research I have contact details if required, it is possible to join and contribute to this organisation for £15 p.a. Best regards Chris G

5 years ago by ChrisG

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Book on Sailing

Chris, Thank for the information, I will look into that book. I started in RC Boating but building and racing several classes of sailboats, including several US1Meter class. Being a much better builder than skipper, I was drawn to schooners that many club members had. Got interested in working sailcraft due to the history and the slower, power of these craft. The Gaff Rigged Handbook by Jihn Leather is one of my favorite build guides. Yes, I really like Gaff Rigging. This book was great for lots of rigging details and sails... See photo example. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

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Book on Sailing

Hello Joe Like you my interest turned a few years to sailing and East Coast sailing vessels in general, I was then given a first edition of 'Sailing ' signed by the author Frank G.G. Carr and was then even more 'hooked'. For beautiful drawings and a marvellous book try to get hold of a copy of 'Vanishing Craft' by the same author but illustrated by Frank Mason who in my opinion captures the essence of all things maritime in the 18 and 19 hundreds. They sometimes come up on Amazon but aren't cheap. As Nerys states there is lots of stuff out there, best of luck researching this most interesting subject. Regards Chris G

5 years ago by ChrisG

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Book on Sailing

Nerys, Thank you for the information, I will take a look at that book. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

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Book on Sailing

There are many excellent books on Thames Sailing , but for the modeller, I think 'Handbook of Sailing ' by F.S.Cooper and John Chancellor is one of the best. Fred Cooper was a well known Barge Skipper, John Chancellor, a former Merchant Navy Officer, lived with his family on the sailing barge Viper for many years. An accomplished artist, he illustrated this book with excellent line drawings of every aspect of the rig, deck fittings and construction details. There are usually copies for sale on Amazon and Abe Books. Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

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Sailing Barge plans help

Hello Joe, Try AMBO (google) They are the association of model barge owners and I believe they are based around Maldon, Essex. A great site that is currently under rebuild (like many 12'' to the foot !) Good luck with your research. Cheers Lemmerhengst

5 years ago by Lemmerhengst

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Mcgregor 1990s transmitter/receiver

Thanks Mike, just got one for my grandson to use with his tug, he's only 4 but really enjoys trying to manoeuver his , and getting quite good at it. Cheers Colin.

6 years ago by Colin H

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Venetian Evening

You just lost your bet Martin😁 There sure are, seen 'em first hand. Tugs to assist the cruise ships, tanker , plus a tanker terminal near the entrance to the lagoon, and Patrol Boats from the italian Navy and Guardia Finanzia. There has always been a Marine Arsenal and Academy there. Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

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Norfolk Wherry Fans

I have often admired Thames in Maldon and on the East coast rivers, but find their complexity off-putting, fine , majestic things though they are. But for me the simplicity of a Norfolk/Suffolk wherry is very attractive and there are few books so much worth curling up with on a rainy November day as Black Sailed Traders by Roy Clark. OK, I can think of several, but you know what I mean. I am a very fussy sod and if I don't like how it looks, I can't get near it. To my eye, most foreign stuff is so much uglier than British, be they trains, cars, bikes, aircraft or boats. But then where would we be without Canadian woodies? Or the very occasional italian car Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

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Norfolk Wherry Fans

There seems to be some misconceptions about Dutch . Most of what we now refer to as Dutch were originally developed as fishing boats suited to the area in which they were working. There were many different types and far from just being used on the canals fished all waters of the Netherlands and were quite capable of taking on the sharp nasty seas of places like Hollandsche Diep and the Ooste Schelde. I can assure you, even the Ijselmeer can get choppy under the right conditions. in fact Dutch Schuyts brought cargoes of eels to London from about the 1600s and a berth was still kept for them until the early 20th century, They were typical of what we would now call a Dutch barge. There were quite small ones like the Schouw and the Grundel that were inshore and lake fishers, then they varied in size through the Botters, Hoogars and Lemeraaks to the Tjalk and the Klipper which were cargo carriers. The Klippers were roughly the same size as Thames and sometimes bigger and were rigged as Gaff Ketches, similar to our West Country Ketches. They were mainly fairly heavily built well in keeping with traditional wooden working boats. in latter days, steel replaced wood but they still followed the traditional designs. Luckily, so many Dutch are still being built as yachts, decorated and fitted out very traditionally and there is considerable interest in the many events held for them every year.

6 years ago by Nerys

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Norfolk Wherry Fans

Onetenor, wherries never had open holds. They were always covered with interlocking hard hatch covers which were piled up at one end when the cargo was loaded. The sails were huge, heavy, highly dressed things, so you really don't want anything too light. They were a heavy canvas dressed in fish oil and soot or were tarred, like the hulls. And really the boats were nothing like Dutch . They were much prettier! Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

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Norfolk Wherry Fans

They put me in mind of Dutch Sailing . One of which I have an 8 inch working model of👍. At least supposedly but I can't find a suitable sail cloth that's not too heavy. Any ideas fellas?👍

6 years ago by onetenor

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Build manual/ instructions

Does it need so much that we couldn't talk our way through it for you? I don't know a huge amount about sailing , but I know the basics and I have books about them as I am supposed to be making a 1/43rd scale model as a pattern for a kit for a model railway company's scenic accessories line. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

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LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Wow! Hobby Engine’s tugs are nearly identical to the WYEFORCE. in fact, as you mentioned in one of your prior posts, the Southampton’s color scheme is very similar to the WYEFORCE as well. I measured the OAL of my Richardson & it comes up a little bit short of the “advertised” length of 22”. it actually measures 21-3/8” or 1.781’ [0.543m]. Using the inverse of 1:36 yields the OAL of the full-size boat: 1.781’ x 36 = 64.12’ [19.54m], which is 1.12’ [0.34m] longer than the 19.2m OAL stated for the WYEFORCE on marinetraffic.com. The length difference isn’t surprising because the “as-built” dimensions of fabricated steel ships, boats, , etc. can vary quite a bit from the original engineering design. The length stated for the WYEFORCE could be an estimate or events like ECOs (engineering change orders), field alterations & damage repairs could have affected the full-size tug’s OAL. in my 35 years as a mechanical/industrial designer I frequently dealt with machinery that varied from planned dimensions. I’m not a rivet counter & I doubt that most R/C boaters are either. it’s all about having fun, right? if the model looks right, it is right. Enough said.

6 years ago by PittsfieldPete

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Wherry hull in GRP

I'm with you there Martin I've never been a fan of the Thames but I was researching something else and stumbled across the wherry and i thought that's a craft I need to build besides the beauty of it the layout of the mast being so far forward it just defines all logic of what we understand when it comes to sail powered craft , it should have it's nose permanently submerged with a tail wind. If you like I could scan and email the articles from the magazine's just send me a pm if you want them Ron

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

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Streamline Models

Thanks for that Doug, There are several hulls for Thames available, but to me, a novice, the complexity of fittings required is rather daunting and the Speedline kit does contain everything. The disadvantage is the smaller size whereas the Fleetscale hull is more in keeping with the size most common amongst model barge builders. Cheers, Nerys.

6 years ago by Nerys

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Fishers Green Open Day with Assoc of Model Barge Owners coming,

the model will not be there till the 13th May

6 years ago by mastman

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Speedline Thames Barge kit.

Having had an interest and connections with Thames Sailing going back to the days when they still carried cargo under sail, I am contemplating building a model. I am a relative newcomer to modelling, so am considering the Speedline kit. What I really want to know is how this model sails. I'm not expecting speed, I just want to know if the performance is acceptable and she handles reasonably well. Hope someone can advise me. Nerys

6 years ago by Nerys

Response

Thames sailing barge Capricorn

Hi , thames sailing barge model pages> http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php/home some discussion about Thames sailing you can find here >http://www.modelboats.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=95328 http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php/barge-building/15-build-reports/34-building-a-model-1970-onwards-a-relatively-new-members-reminiscences-and-ideas < by R.Chesney Magazines. Model boats 2007 nr 7 tsb Celia Jane model tuning Model Boats 2013-11 tsb finless little models Marine Modelling international 2014 nr 7-9 tsb Veronica Marine Modelling international 2016 nr07 tsb Westmoreland

6 years ago by tomarack

Response

Thames sailing barge Capricorn

I decided to publish here my simplified plan of Thames sailing barge Capricorn, original plan (Champion class barge)from H.I.Chapelle was adapted for my needs, considering my options. Rigging reconstructed on the basis of plans and photos on the internet. The model was built according to this plan. Greetings Tom

6 years ago by tomarack

Directory

(Working Vessel) Lady Dapne

Scratch built model of one of the famous Thames here sailing quitely at Eaton park Norwich looking fairly realistic. Hull plank on frame. (5/10)

6 years ago by Gascoigne

Directory

(US WESTERN RIVER TOWBOAT) ILLINI LOYAL

ANOTHER ON THE WAYS: SALVAGED DUMAS ABS HYDRODYNE HULL, 35 X 10 X 2" ORIGINALLY IN THE AMERICAN BEAUTY KIT. MY INTENT IS TO SCRATCH BUILD FROM THIS HULL, A SINGLE-DECK TWIN SCREW LINEHAUL TOWBOAT WITH A FUNCTIONING TELESCOPING PILOTHOUSE. THEY ARE COMMON ON THE UPPER ILLINOIS RIVER WHERE THERE ARE FIXED OVERPASSES OR LOW OBSTRUCTIONS SPANNING THE WATERWAY. THE DES PLAINES AND CALUMET RIVERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA ALSO HARBOR THESE PUSHBOATS. THE PLAN IS TO KEEP HER LIGHT WITH A LOW CG, BUT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO PUSH SOME SCALE WEIGHT; I RECKON 775 MOTORS WITH 50MM 5-BLADE WHEELS WILL SUFFICE. THIS BOAT WILL BE STEERED WITH STANDARD RUDDERS, NO FLANKING RUDDERS, BECAUSE I WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE. (K.I.S.S.) I AM STILL BRAINSTORMING THE SYSTEM FOR RAISING/LOWERING THE PILOTHOUSE; POSSIBLY A SERVO WINCH & CABLE OR LINEAR SERVO. A PNEUMATIC RIG IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY I RECKON. SHE WILL BE WEARING THE ORANGE TRIM AND MIDNIGHT BLUE PAINT SCHEME OF MY SHOP-ILLINIWEK MARINE SCALE SHIPYARD. I USE LIGHTHOUSE LED's & MINI SWITCHES FROM THE SEATTLE AREA EXCLUSIVELY, 9V, 3MM. HARBOR MODELS 1.5V WORKING RADAR & MAYBE A 6V WORKING DECK CAPSTAN WILL BE ADDED. SHE IS MY 5TH ADDITION TO THE ILLINIWEK MARINE FLEET, AND WILL OF COURSE PUSH AHEAD THE MATCHING . GO FIGHTING ILLINI! (Motor: 775 JOHNSON TYPE) (ESC: DIMART 320A FAN-COOLED) (8/10)

6 years ago by circle43nautical

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Albion

Albion on a windy day at Eaton Boating Lake, Norwich. Also some larger Thames and a yacht from visitors from Brightlingsea.

7 years ago by Baggie

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pictures

Hi,I decided to use an auxiliary engine on my barge models too, (bargemen on the real called it "iron topsail"). it's an advantage when the wind stops blowing - and I do not have to swim for the model in cold water ... Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

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rig & sails

I used to live on the Wirral and had friends worked in Cammell Lairds. I do believe they also built in a similar fashion and it's not uncommon to see modifications made as the build progresses and local knowledge and skillsets make minor adjustments. They were all skilled tradesmen and fitters who took pride in the ships they built. Many Thames are now in private ownership and will have been modified to suit the current owner. Museums usually have beautiful scale replicas but for a sailing model more practical solutions are required and on the water with sails attached the rigging will hardly be noticeable. I am looking forward to seeing your model on the water.

7 years ago by Dave M

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Sea Queen refurbishment

Well Chris I have used this method on various models over the last 50+years and not had one delaminate. I prefer this method for repairs to old boats that do a lot of miles travelling to and from shows in my trailer, as a lot of my vintage boats don't get to sail very often and live in my trailer all year round so need protection from damp air, especially ones made of paper mache or card. The exteriors are coated with eezikote and .8 gsm glass cloth. This is very good protection for balsa and other soft hulls, including polystyrene packing boxes that I used for and narrow boats.

7 years ago by Colin H

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Triton

With my boats getting routinely stranded in the middle of nowhere, I felt compelled to commission a rescue vessel and "Triton" was born. "Triton" is a Springer-type tug push boat. With a hull and superstructure consisting of an “Indiana” style command cabin, it was built using a pretty basic birch plywood American kit designed for swimming pool water polo. Kit altered to resemble a fictitious Salvamento Marítimo (Spanish Coast Guard) unit following Salvamento Marítimo’s actual boat markings. Equipment and deck layout inspired on actual Springer tug push boats supporting larger vessels and found in US and European ports and rivers. Model built during September – October 2015. Approx. 1/18 scale. Real life boat could be a 30-footer (9.14m) vessel. Equipped with 9v LED navigation lights and sound system. Powered by an HPI Racing 1145 Gt 550 Motor, NiMH 7.4v battery, a 3-bladed 44mm propeller, and a 6-12V 320A RC Ship & Boat R/C Hobby Brushed Motor Speed Controller.

7 years ago by Krampus

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Fairplay X - Plastic Magic! :-)

OK, here is Serenity on my workbench! I told you the workbench is a mess. My other boats are on a table I found while taking my daily walk! the last picture is of my . I've got one last Barge to spray.... My problem is if I tidy up, I'll misplace my things! Oh, and my area of toys! Believe it or not. I have found each and every toy I have on the dresser... Except for the Controllers.... And my Volere.

7 years ago by figtree7nts

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Design bits

Hi, I can reccommend articles by Ivor Bittle too ... late - but still... 2.12 How to locate the fin and the mast of a model yacht on Ivor B.pages ( http://www.ivorbittle.com ) On his pages you can find very helpfull articles about Thames sailing .. Wishing success Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

Response

Miss Geico 29''

Hi Martin (Westquay),I have seen the yacht's on Clapham Common Long Pond But sadly I don't seem to find them at all interesting. The same with thing's like Tugs and . I started when my dad and mum bought me an Areokits RAF Crash Tender for my ninth birthday. Rather than ruin the kit, my dad got me to draw round all the parts on old tea chests that he had got hold of and broke up. in all we built seven of them. For my Christmas present that year they got me a ED Hunter 3.46 cc diesel engine. They couldn't afford r/c so when my real one was finished it was fun as a kid to watch it go round and round until it arrived on the other side of Blackheath Pond. Or send it in a straight line and catch it on the other side. I have just seemed to progress from there and it just seem's to be addictive to try to get more speed. I do have some that are not as fast but still quite quick. I don't go for scale speed just speed. I have put 10cc engines in things that were meant for 7.5cc. With great success. The way I look at things is if we were all to think the same it would be a boring old world. I'm not into sports other than fishing and shooting,where as I have one 43 year old son that is football mad, and one 45 year old son that is into fishing and R/C quadcopters. I don't knock anyone's likes and dislikes as that's the way of he world. I know you are NOT putting my boat down, you probably don't see power boats in the same way. I have tried to get more speed from a brand new Webra 61 by adding too much extra nitro into the fuel and bending the conrod and having it break into pieces. Stupid I suppose but that's just me. I now love these brushless motors as they are so fast. I am just a speed junkie. Who know's when I get a bit older I might just try out a yacht, but I'm only 66 and still wan't more speed. I have Just got myself a Graupner Rhode island F1 tunnel hull with a brushless outboard and I'm hoping it goes even faster than this Miss Geico. that's just me for you. To each his own. Sorry to have gone on too long. any way have you posted any video of your yachts on here.

7 years ago by BOATSHED

Forum

Where do yachties go?

Hi Martin We sail a variety of yachts at my club. As well as the class yachts we have Pond Yachts, Thames , Norfolk Wherry, Pilot cutters, Fishing boats, RN Gunboats, Tall ships and have our own mould for a plank on frame 5' schooner. Most are scratch built and have been built from scaled up plans. We use Posterazor - http://posterazor.sourceforge.net/ to magnify to scale. You then print to several pages at your chosen size. I have attached a few pics of some of the models. if you send me a pm I will add you to my U-tube page where there is video of models sailing on the club waters. We also make our own fibreglass moulds and hulls as do many other club's members. Must admit we have not seen any footies but all models apart from IC and fast electric racing boats are welcome. You have no location shown on your profile so it's difficult to suggest where you might find like minded Yachties. Most clubs will have yacht members if the water is suitable so if you look in our Model Boat Club section you may find one near to your location. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

How many is to Many

OK, I have three Tugboats one cabin cruiser and one speed boat! And if you saw the amount of room I have, you would wonda how. Of course let's not forget the two 43" I have! And two foam There is no set number to how many you have it's a hobby! Did I neglect to mention it's addicting.......... Where's my next Build? LOL😁 Oop's I forgot to mention one foam pier!

7 years ago by figtree7nts

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Ellesmere Port Model Boat Show

hi, i have been today met a few members of colwyn bay club where I sail, had a great time spending money😁 and looking round the museum. there are some real old there👍. the model boats were also very nice to see. saw a fantastic aircraft carrier. there wasn't much sailing on the water as it was windy. david

7 years ago by jtdavid

Blog

Tug & Display

With the Box Barge completed, I can now put my together with my San Pedro Push Boat. The Tug & will be about 120" inches long! Which make for a good tow. The aren't the same scale as the Tug, They are 7/32" scale while the Tug is 1/32". But that's OK. Oh, I know the Box Barge needs painting. it's raining today so, scratch that idea. maybe tomorrow will be a good day to paint. Anyway took some Pictures of my Tug & together, Their going to be a sight at the pond come this summer, I'm sure of it.

7 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

Thames Sailing Barge

Good Morning Gents, .......and now for something completely different........ I enclose a picture of my model Thames Sailing Barge. Model are very popular at clubs in the Essex and Kent area, because of the many historic in Maldon and the surrounding rivers. The members of Maldon Blackwater Model Boat Club have built several , but there are many other barge owning clubs in the Essex and Kent area who meet to run interclub Barge Matches. Most Model are built 40"-45" in length either 'stem head' or 'bowsprit' and usually they are fitted with a fin keel and a deep rudder, to give improved sailing abilities. Many are highly detailed models of specific ; however the yellow barge is a 'generic' model with a 'Sirdar' hull built from balsa reinforced with grp. The model in build is based on a 'Veronica' grp hull and will be a bowsprit barge. These are the names of 'racing' , sadly broken up many years ago. I hope you find our particular passion interesting. Best Regards Frank Burgess

7 years ago by frankburgess

Blog

Marking of the Rib Supports

So, there are 46 Rib Supports that go around the Bulwark. Marking of the Rib spaces in crucial as the Ribs will look uneven other wise. The Ribs do add a bit of detail to the , as their really isn't much to see in the way of details

7 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

Thames Sailing Barge

Hi, very nice model, indeed!! I would greatly appreciate if you put photos your models, also on our website, designed for modellers and enthusiasts of Thames sailing .. => modelbarge.info < or > http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php/home I wish you much success in modeling !!! Tom

7 years ago by tomarack

Blog

Glueing on the sides

After having glued the sides in place. The sides are fairly easy to glue on, as it's a straight piece of Ply wood. The major components of the build are made up of 1/8" ply, spruce being used for the Ribs. The are very light and sturdy, and actually measure in at 42.75". the Barge weigh about 1 lbs.

7 years ago by figtree7nts

Response

San Pedro Push Boat

Thanks for the info Mark , I'm going to have to try and get one. I really want to run my boats this coming summer! I'm currently working on my barge so now I'm going to have to transport a Tug and two . Guess the wife can carry the , they don't weigh anything, their just long about 43" a piece!

7 years ago by figtree7nts

Blog

Building of the Ribs

Since the instructions are very vague, it's up to the builder to know how to figure it out. I started by measuring out all the pieces that are needed to be cut, once cut I glued them together. I some how feel that when I built the lead Barge, it was easer some how! I think that when building these , One should build them one after the other. OK, back to looking at the plans for now!

7 years ago by figtree7nts