'Edme' winning the 2001 Medway Barge Match

As with square riggers, Thames Sailing Barges are at their best seen racing.

‘Edme’ here with a bone in her teeth (a pronounced bow wave formed when a boat is sailing at speed) went on to win the 2001 Medway Barge match. That is not because there was not enough competition. About ten other barges were out to win the prize for the fastest boat that day each with fine crews and determined skippers.

‘Edme’ was built in 1898 by Cann in Harwich in wood. The boat was lucky to survive being de-rigged and used as a lighter in 1949. The Harman-Harrison Consortium gave her a lengthy restoration in the 1990s. She has no engine and wins races as a bowsprit rigged barge.

A group of barges may also be seen Medway Barge Match 2002 and the two pictures would make a good contrasting pair.