0   S.S.B.R.

   The Society for Sailing Barge Research

PUBLICATIONS

 "Topsail" is issued free to members at the time of publication. Depending on the circumstances, other publications are issued free or a nominal charge is made. Copies are available to the general public through retail outlets or direct from the addresses indicated below. 

(Also see "Bibliography" for a list of books published on the subject of Sailing Barges and those that are offered for sale both new & secondhand by the Society).

PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE

NEW BOOK   “A Shipwright’s Boy”   “A Shipwright’s Boy” by Donald Sattin, edited by Richard Hugh Perks, published by the Faversham Society, 13 Preston Street, Faversham ME13 8NS, at £9.95 + £1.70 p&p   In this, his third book, Donald describes his upbringing on a farm on the edge of north the Kent marshes and how, at the age of 14, he became an apprentice shipwright at White’s Conyer bargeyard repairing and maintaining sailing barges in trade. It was not a task for the faint-hearted to lie in the mud to re-spike the bottom of a boat knowing there was 60 tons of barge inches above one’s head. When skippers were short-handed Donald was required to ship as mate aboard some of the last sailing barges to carry bricks from Conyer to London . During the war Donald built gunpowder punts for the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham Abbey. These were transported to Waltham Abbey on a cut-down charabanc where, on arrival, they were clad with elephant hide.   Donald’s interest in boat models stems from the Conyer yard’s collection of half models from which lines were taken off to build the barges. Donald made his first model sailing barge at an early age. Later, when he qualified as an engineer he became interested in canal boats and started making models of them for major museums – some of them up to 4½ feet in length. His models have included Weaver Flats, horse-boats, an ice-breaker, tank boat - and a three-island coaster for a ship owner whose errant son was to destroy it. As a master shipwright Donald used his skill and knowledge to build his models to exacting standards, making each part himself and building the models in the same way as the original vessels were built.   When sailing barges ceased to carry cargo and their hulls were being restored back under sail for private ownership Donald’s skills again came to the fore in advising on repair and restoration, often finding himself back in the mud working on a barge’s hull. On a visit to Vancouver he worked on the building of a sail training schooner.   Now a few yards short of his 89th birthday Donald has set down aspects of his remarkable life about his time as a farmer’s boy, shipwright, engineer, model maker, canal boat enthusiast and bargeman – rich and rewarding experiences.   A4 size with laminated cover, 48pp, 58 photographs (17 in colour) + line drawings

 

NEW BOOK   Just published, the long awaited ‘CRESCENT SHIPPING’ by Ken GARRETT. Whilst it covers all the Company fleet over 150 years, in his research he found ‘The sheer number of Spritsail Sailing Barges involved was truly staggering’. This is probably his best book so far, in respect of detail and the quality of the publication. It contains a large amount of barge information. It is priced at £35 plus £5 p&p. If you wish to purchase a copy, please send a cheque for £40, payable to:- R NEWLYN, to 7 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend, Kent DA12 4PX.   A great Christmas present and every copy sold benefits the SSBR.

 

NEW BOOK Seaways The Lore of the Kentish Shore The much enlarged second (2010) edition printed on A4 glossy paper, 124pp. Approx.140 photographs of sailing barges,square-riggers, schooners, smacks and bawleys. The remembered life of fisherman, bargemen and watermen, describing superstitions, weatherlore, customs, food, smokes and much else. Price £13.50, includes postage and packing Please make cheques payable to :- Pennant Books at 16 Fairfield Road, Bosham, Chichester PO18 8JH. Derek Coombe – Pennant Books 2010

 

From CHAFFCUTTER BOOKS (in conjuntion with The Society for Sailing Barge Research) This is a remarkable story for a number of reasons. It is taken from a 146 page manuscript hand written on foolscap paper by a sailing bargeman who went to sea aged eight after two years of formal education, a significant proportion of which was missed through truancy. The book covers in depth, and at first hand, a period in the river and coastal sailing barge trades which has never previously been recorded  in such a detailed way.  It is a good quality perfect bound book with laminated card covers, size 250 x 180, 168 pages, 100 illustrations  many of which have not previously been published. (ISBN 978-0-9560596-0-4) 'Sailing Barge Master' is now available  @ £12.95 plus p&p Postage & Packaging U.K. - £2.00 p+p  Europe - £3.00 p+p | Rest of the World - £5.00 p+p Copies sold will help support the Society for Sailing Barge Research.      To order a copy by post, please send a cheque, payable to ‘Chaffcutter Books’ to: Chaffcutter Books, 39 Friars Road, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire SG11 2NN England. Tel: +44 (0) 1920 823200 Email: sales@chaffcutter.com     From the SSBR Archive Amateur Cine Footage of the 1977 Jubilee Sailing Barge Matches This silent film, covering the Medway, Thames, Swale, Blackwater, Pin Mill, Southend & Colne Matches of 1977 represents a unique record of barge racing over 30 years ago. sadly quite a number of the barges involved are no longer in existence, reflecting the transient nature of the fleet, giving feel to the view that before too long there may be insufficient survivors to compete. This is therefore a very important historical record of the past and the Society for Sailing Barge Research Archive is indebted to Mr. R. L. Gibbs for providing his late father's work, the proceeds of which will benefit Society funds. Conditions during filming have led to considerable variance of the quality of the images therein. Copies of the DVD may be obtained from the SSBR Archive or from SSBR Sales. Please contact Roger Newlyn, 7 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend, Kent.  DA12 4PX.   Email: rogernewlyn@aol.com  Tel: 01474 324096 Price £7.00 each inc post & packing. Cheques made payable to the Society for Sailing Barge Research

 

BLACKWATER BARGE MATCH DVD'S THE FOLLOWING ARE NOW AVAILABLE 1967, 1987, 2009 & 2010   Copies of the DVD'S may be obtained from  SSBR Sales. Please contact Roger Newlyn, 7 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend, Kent.  DA12 4PX.   Email: rogernewlyn@aol.com  Tel: 01474 324096 All Priced at £8.00 each + £1.00 post & packing(UK Only). Cheques made payable to Roger Newlyn Copies sold will help support the Society for Sailing Barge Research.

 

The book 'The Racing Horlocks 1868 -1971' is the first new quality Barge book to be published for several years. It has been written by member Ron Weyda with Bob Horlock, as a sequel to 'Mistleyman's Log.' That book covered the trading days of the Horlock family and this new one covers the racing endeavours of the Horlocks. It is a good quality hardback book with over 150 illustrations and photographs, many of which have not previously been published, together with a wealth of information on tactics and design. 'The Racing Horlocks' is now available  @ £21.95 plus p&p Copies sold via the SSBR will help support the Society.      To order a copy by post, please send a cheque, payable to ‘R Newlyn’ for £24.50 (£21.95 plus £ 2.55 p&p) to: Roger Newlyn, 7 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend, Kent  DA12 4PX. If you require more than one copy please contact me @ rogernewlyn@aol.com for postage costs.

 

"Sailing Barges Listed in the Mercantile Navy List 1899" This A4 booklet of 22 pages was compiled by John White from the Mercantile Navy list of 1899 which was presented to the SSBR Archive by Dave Davidson in memory of his late father. The booklet lists the names of some 2000 barges, with their Port of Registry, Official Number, Their Rig, Where & When Built, Registered Tonnage, Call Sign  and the Owner/Managing Owner. Published Privately by the Society of Sailing Barge Research  2007 These are for sale in aid of Society funds at £10.00 each including post & packaging (U.K Only). Please Email  john.white6@talk21.com  or telephone John White on 01206 825317 to reserve a copy.

 

"Topsail" THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR SAILING BARGE RESEARCH We have a limited number of the following out of print editions of the above journal for sale: ISSUE Nos:  17, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41 & 42 PRICE: Individual copies £4.50 each add £4.00 for each additional copy Price includes post & packing (U.K. only).   Please sent your cheques/postal orders  made payable to "The Society For Sailing Barge Research" to Richard Walsh, SSBR Publications, 39 Friars Road, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 2NN.  Remember to state clearly which issues you require and to include your full name, address and postcode.  Despatch is via 1st Class Post.

 

"A History of FAVERSHAM & OARE CREEKS and the FAVERSHAM NAVIGATION"  By Frank Taylor. Profusely Illustrated with over 100 excellent historic photos and maps. Fully Indexed. Compiled by Richard Walsh and Published by Chaffcutter Books in association with the S.S.B.R. (ISBN 0-9532422-3-4) PRICE:  £9.95 plus post & packing Please contact Roger Newlyn, 7 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend, Kent.  DA12 4PX.   Email: rogernewlyn@aol.com for details.

NON SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS

‘Spritsail’ is the magazine published by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust.  

It is aimed at sailing barge and tradsail enthusiasts not just members of the Trust (although members do receive a free copy). 

The current issue contains articles on many interesting barge related topics and is lavishly illustrated with over 100 photographs and diagrams (including colour photographs of all the active sailing barges listed inside). 

In A4 format with 40 pages it is on sale for £3.50 plus £1.00 p+p 

Available from: Martin Phillips 30 Oakwood Drive, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0SA.

Cheques to ‘Thames Sailing Barge Trust’

Updated 06/06/2011