IRONSIDES was built by Stanfield and Clarke, Grays, Essex in 1900 and sold to Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers. She carried stone from Portland to London under sail alone. She was nearly lost after a collision at Limehouse around 1909 and nearly lost again in a gale at Dungeness in 1928.

What a great experience for me and my friends to be able to go sailing on an original Thames sailing barge. The captain was brilliant and explained about Ironsides barge and it is now 117 years old and built in Essex.

A great view sailing past the Maunsell Forts on the Thames estuary. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames estuary during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom. They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell.

The dates for this years Barge Matches have been announced.

Medway 25 May 2019 Saturday
Blackwater 8 June 2019 Saturday
Thames 22 June 2019 Saturday
See full list…