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The
Thames Sailing Barges with their distinctive red ochre sails and tall,
stately masts are a renowned part of London's Maritime Heritage. Ironsides
is one of the remaining few, an outstanding example of these traditional
coastal sailing ships.
Built in 1900 by Clarke and Stanfield of Grays, Essex, she initially
carried cargoes of Portland Stone and cement for the APCM company. In
1928 she was sold to the London and Rochester Trading Company but continued
to trade up and down the Channel as well as in the Thames Estuary.
After a distinguished war
service, sustaining damage during London's Blitz, she recommenced trading
as a motor barge carrying general cargoes. Since 1968 Ironsides has
undergone a careful process of restoration in a Kentish shipyard.
She is now one of the most
authentic and comfortable spritsail barges afloat today. In 1984 the
interior of Ironsides was refurbished to create an ideal venue for company
entertaining, which she has since done to great effect in St. Katharine's
Yacht Haven.
Since she was bought by Mark
and Caroline Tower in 1986 Ironsides has returned to sailing and undertakes
an iterinary each season around the coast, both to Special Events and
the summer series of barge matches of which she is a frequent winner.
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