Red Sails - The History of the Thames Sailing Barges

The film Red Sails explores through interviews and archive footage the influence of the Thames barge in the development of trade, and its contribution to the building of Victorian London. It also looks in detail at the craftsmen and their trades, which made the Thames barges so unique. A few have become barge yachts for chartering, but the Thames barge lives on through the recent restoration of one of the most famous: the Cambria.

[@evewilkinson9653]

Lovely video. I meet Jimmy Lawrence at the Wooden boat show many years ago, such a lovely man. So sad that he is no longer with us. Great boats I have been lucky to sail on Reminder and Thistle.

[@nickviner1225]

As a young lad living in Rowhedge I can remember seeing nearly all these barges passing up and down to the Hythe and often saw barges at Marriges Mill up past the bridges loading flour.
Thankyou for sharing this wonderful video that brings so many memorys back to life for an older man who now lives on the other side of the world.

[@robaire.b]

Great documentary. Wonderful to hear accents such as that of Jim Lawrence, that I’ve not heard since my childhood in London. It’s extraordinary how differently people now speak in this part of England

[@belperflyer7419]

I'm currently building a 1/24 scale model of Veronica (drawings and part kits are available but the 'part' is very small!). Several have already been built and are sailing, so it's sad to learn from this video that the original is in poor repair. My wife and I and another couple used to charter from Blackwater Yacht Charters, Malden in around 1980 and admired the barges then. I'm too old to sail in person now but, hopefully, my radio control model will.
It's easy to romanticise the days of sail because the vessels looked so beautiful but it was a hard, low paid life. This is a great view. Thanks

[@Prevailingbucket]

Enjoyed the production. Thank you

[@hardystein114]

Really enjoyed that .
Fantastic.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Saw many in Maldon Hythe and they are still there but the same type enthusiasts have saved Sailing Smack and even the once derelict and sunk Skillinger Pioneer..

[@obiwanfisher537]

I spent a lot of time in the medway. I also been to faversham a few times and the maritime history of these barges is still in everybody's mouths.