Trustees and volunteers awoke on Monday the 27th October to the shocking news that the museum sail loft and entire collection of artefacts had been totally destroyed by fire on Sunday evening.

Chairman Clive Reader and his fellow Trustees and volunteers visited the site on Monday but were unable to establish anything other than that the museum was totally burnt to the ground and that the police were treating the fire as suspicious. Later investigations revealed that gas bottles were found in the remains which are thought to be the means by which the building was deliberately set ablaze.

Shocked members of the Barging family and local town’s people and museum friends have been coming forward in numbers to express their dismay at the news.

“One of Britain’s most charming, informative and friendly maritime museums” “A place to come and relax whilst soaking up the atmosphere of a boatyard where generations of skilled craftsmen have been building some of our most graceful and efficient working boats for nearly two centuries”. These are just two of the many comments made by visitors to the Dolphin Sailing Barge Museum this season. A truly unique hands on folklore museum true to its traditional past.

Insurers have been contacted and a recovery plan has been discussed and formulated at a meeting of the Trustees and management committee. The museum Trustees are determined that a rebuilding programme is started immediately and are contacting everyone for any help that can make a full recovery possible.

In conclusion the Trustees would like to apologise to anyone that has lost any artefacts in the fire. Should you be able to offer any help in any way to help us turn this disaster into an opportunity please contact the chairman Clive Reader on 01795 520491 e-mail clivereader@btinternet.com

Or:-

Bill Beresford

Education & Marketing Co-ordinator

Dolphin Sailing Barge Museum

Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SN

01795 420821

07948 724841

bberesford-dolphinbargemuseum@talktalk.net