Sailing Barge Greta- more information

S.B. GRETA
of Colchester.

some more facts and history.

S.B.Greta - Southend Barge Match, from Southend Pier, 1989.
(Photo - D.Renouf)
Greta is also remembered for her Beer Run. This started in 1947. It is said that due to her Master and Mate at this time being teetotal the brewery, Meux, requested that GRETA be kept on this run permanently, there was never any pilfering or accident damage. H.M. Customs could always be confident that what was loaded at Nine Elms, Battersea was discharged at Chatham. A member of GRETA's crew today sailed as Mate during her Beer Run days.

In the 1960's work dropped off and GRETA was sold off and laid up in Whitewall Creek. Sometime later, GRETA was acquired to be broken up to rebuild another barge. However GRETA was found to be in much better condition therefore it was GRETA that was restored. She was re-rigged in the early 1980's.

S.B.Greta - Southend Barge Match, from Southend Pier, 1988.
(Photo - D.Renouf)

GRETA is now owned by and is home to Steven Norris. She is moored at Standard Quay Faversham.

GRETA is maintained by Steven and his enthusiastic voluntary Crew. She is sailed each season and regularly takes part in barge matches.

GRETA has had some notable successes in these barge matches being Champion Barge overall at Southend 1987 and is still competing successfully against some of the bigger company owned barges.

Greta page

See www.thamesbarges.co.uk