Of Shipwrights and Bargemen

You may have seen a recent programme in the ‘Chronicle’  series on BBC2 entitled ‘Where There’s Muck ....’ The  theme was the increasing interest in industrial archaeology throughout the country, and during the programme  prizes were presented for the three most outstanding  projects of the year. 

The first prize went to a London group, but the  second prize was awarded to a group at Sittingbourne,  The Dolphin Sailing Barge Museum Trust, whose project  is the restoration of a small shipyard, the opening of a  maritime folk museum with particular reference to the  Thames Sailing Barge, and the conservation of a waterside  amenity area. However, the real purpose behind the group  is to ensure that the old skills and crafts associated with  the building of these 100-ton sailing barges — and sailing  them double-handed — is not lost when the few old salts  who have such skills and crafts unfortunately pass away. 

The Dolphin Yard is situated on a small inlet off  Milton Creek and was formerly Charles Burley’s old  barge yard. It consists of a set of barge repair blocks,  sail loft, carpenter’s shop, forge and a small area of saltings. The site was in a derelict condition, the buildings  in urgent need of repair and the inlet required dredging.  Much work has been done to date but volunteers for  working parties are still very welcome.  Mr. O’Shea, the curator, is living aboard his own barge  the ‘Nellie Parker’, and it is hoped to obtain another  barge for instructional purposes. Moorings will be  provided for fully rigged spritsail barges and there will be  full facilities for their maintenance at the Yard.

Photo: On The evening tide by J.R. Price

Visitors,  as well as members, are welcome, and eventually it will be  possible to watch or participate in such crafts as  sailmaking, spar-making and ship repair work.  Details can be obtained from The Curator, S/B  ‘Nellie Parker’, Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne.  Personally I find the ideas behind the Dolphin scheme  very interesting, and, if like me you find the sight of those  dark red sails beating up the Estuary a stirring one, or if  you just like ‘the fun of seeing something handsome  emerging from the rust of time’ to quote Magnus  Magnusson, a visit to Milton Creek could be a rewarding  experience.  

By Ted Timberlake 

From Action Forum, May 1971

(posted May 2021 so I have no idea if the barge is still present and if the address is still valid)