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S.B.Victor
- Blackwater Barge Match, 1992.
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VICTOR of London.Official No. 105762Victor,
82 tons, 82.2 x 20.3 x 6, was built in 1895 by Shrubsalls at Ipswich
for Owen Parry. Until the Second World War she collected linseed from
farms around the East Coast and took it to Owen Parry's Mill in Colchester
returning to London with the oil in barrels. In 1932 Owen Parry's was
bought by London & Rochester Shipping Co when Victor was valued at £450.
It is thought that this cargo may have in large part contributed to
the excellent condition that Victor is now in.
During the War she loaded munitions out of Chatham dock and is lucky to have survived a bomb that directly hit and completely destroyed a lighter lying alongside. She was the last sailing barge to be decommissioned in 1947. She was towed to Brightlingsea along with S B Chieftan and was lucky again. The tow was too fast and Chieftan was towed under and lost. In the 50's she was converted to a motor barge and traded for the London & Rochester Company on the Medway until sold in 1964, again for £450. |
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During
the next 10 years she passed through the care of three owners. She had
a short career as a strip club before being taken to Ramsgate for Henry
Winger. Luck was on her side again when she was abandoned in difficulties
in The Channel. The Ramsgate lifeboat picked up the crew from the barge
boat and towed Victor to Ramsgate where she lay for four years unused.
John Bloom acquired her and took her to the Medway as a houseboat until
1974. She was purchased by Owen Emerson, a navy trained shipwright,
who lovingly rebuilt and re-rigged her so that today she is fine condition.
Owen still looks after Victor for Nick Briggs who bought her in 1995.
She now operates as a 40 passenger charter barge and floating office
for Nick's consultancy business.
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Summer
location
From June to September Victor operates out of Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River near Southampton. From there she carries passengers on day sailing charters in the Solent. This tiny village has been preserved as a living museum of the site where Nelson's ships were built. It is worth a visit to the museum and the "Master Builder's" Hotel for a pint. And of course you can see Victor. |
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Autumn
to Spring location
From September to May Victor can be found at Butler's Pier just south of Tower Bridge on the south side of the river. From here she undertakes some sailing charters on the Thames but most of her use is static as a corporate function room or workshop venue, either for Nick in his work or chartered out for others enjoyment. |
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