Sailing Barge Greta

S.B. GRETA
of Colchester.

some facts and history.

Built in 1892 at Brightlingsea Essex by Stones. Length 80ft, Beam 20ft, Draft 3ft, Displacement 49 tons. Greta was built for a barge sailmaker called Hibbs. He sold her to Owen Perry who owned a fine fleet of working boats noted for their smart turnout and racing success.

GRETA's usual cargo consisted of grain, malt and building product, she did however carry some more unusual things for example the spars for the German Kaiser's racing schooner. In 1918

GRETA was sold by Perry to the London and Rochester Barge Company, now Crescent Shipping.

Zoom image

S.B.Greta -Thames Barge Match 2004
(Photo - D.Renouf)

More about Greta

Early in World War II GRETA was chartered by the Ministry of Supply. Her cargo was ammunition from the army depot at Upnor near Rochester to Naval vessels anchored in the Thames Estuary.

GRETA took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. Her War service ended in 1946. After a thorough overhaul and having an engine fitted she returned to normal trading, carrying grain, timber and animal feed.
Zoom image

S.B.Greta - Thames Barge Match 2004
(Photo - D.Renouf)
see www.thamesbarges.co.uk