Sailing Barge IRONSIDES.

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.

The Venue.

The interior of Ironsides is both spacious and comfortable whilst retaining the essential character of the vessel. Her expansive aft saloon will seat up to twenty-two guests for lunch and dinner parties or accomodate up to fifty for the more informal buffet. The more intimate forward saloon offers a welcoming reception for drinks before a meal or provides a separate bar for large functions. The comprehensive facilities provided aboard - superb cuisine, live music and audio-visual eqipment - allow for a wide variety of functions at a venue of considerable individuality.