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Sailing Barge Cabby |
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Gill brothers were well known barge builders, and constructed several
similar craft, but were left with the Cabby when their client became
bankrupt. They put her into trade and their success led to the formation
of the Rochester Barge Company, later to become the London and Rochester
Trading Company. She carried grain, animal feeds, timber and other bulk cagoes betweeen the London docks, Colchester, Whitstable and various ports on the south end east coasts. In the Second World War, she was sent on War Service to the Clyde, via Ireland, and then to the Hebrides, where she was given a new wheelhouse. She spent additional time during the war in Greenock. After the war she went back to work until trade in the London Docks became no longer viable, carrying her last freight in the late 1960's. She has been converted to passenger use, and is currently based on the River Blackwater in Essex, and avaialable for charter work through Marine Event Management. This model was built by Ray Parrott using a fibre glass hull from Tony Williams, and is a well known competitor in the Model Sailing Barge Races held each year. |
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