Registration number 1967
Status Registered
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Details

Function Cargo Vessel
Subfunction Barge
Location Maylandsea
Vessel type Spritsail Barge
Current use Private use
Available to hire Yes
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Little, James, Rochester
Built in 1913
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Number of masts 2
Propulsion Sail
Primary engine type None
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
22.60 feet (6.89m)
Depth
3.00 feet (0.92m)
Length: Overall
87.00 feet (26.54m)

History

GLENWAY was built in 1913 by James Little of Rochester for the coasting trade, and worked with a 2,000 strong fleet of barges to ferry cargoes from the East Coast into the port of London. Sailing unscathed through the minefields and dangers of World War One, GLENWAY survived the economic depression of the 1930s and a grounding ashore off North Norfolk. She was then requisitioned as a supply ship and left abandoned on the beaches of Dunkirk during the 1940 evacuation. 213 soldiers from the 27th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, managed to get onboard and, after a desperate attempt to re-float her, they sailed home. However, 1951 saw her washed ashore off Great Yarmouth during a storm and, by the late 1950s, she had retired from the trade to become a houseboat. In the 1970s, she was re-rigged, but was later left to rot at the end of Maldon promenade. Sold into safer hands, GLENWAY underwent a restoration during which approximately ninety per cent of her was re-built. She was then transferred to her current owners, who have now opened a new heritage centre onboard her.

This vessel is a survivor from the First World War. You can read more about her wartime history by visiting our First World War: Britain's Surviving Vessels website www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk

Key dates

  • 1913

    Built by James Little of Rochester

  • 1940

    She assisted in the Dunkirk Evacuation and then abandoned, after a desperate attempt to refloat her, she managed to sail home

  • 1970

    She was bought sold to a new owner and extensively rebuilt and re-rigged

  • 1990

    She was bought by Topsail Charters

  • 2007

    New owner

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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