Details
Construction
Dimensions
History
Built 1898 by Forrest & Sons Limited, Wivenhoe, ATRATO is a Thames Sailing Barge with a steel hull. She was first owned by Hughes at Greenwich and then by the London & Rochester Barge Company from 1923, when she was converted to a motor barge. In 1943 she was rebuilt with single hatch and wheelhouse by Pollocks of Faversham and fitted with a Kelvin K3 66hp engine which she still retains today. For most of her working life she carried general cargo from the Thames and Medway around the coast.
Her present owner bought her out of trade in 1980 and has used her as a liveaboard on the Thames at Battersea, while carrying out long-term conservation.
Update, March 2025: Vessel for sale.
Key dates
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1898
Built by Forrest of Wivenhoe
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1944
Conversion to motor barge, Kelvin K3 engine installed
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1980
Sold out of trade, conversion back to sailing barge commenced
Sources
Carr, Frank, Sailing Barges, 1971
Perks, Richard, Sprts'l: A Portrait of Sailing Barges and Sailormen, Conway Maritime Press, 1975
The Last Berth of the Sailorman, Society for Spritsail Barge Research, 1987
Wood, D G, Barges Sailing Today: Sailing Barge Information Pamplet No: 1, Society for Spritsail Barge Research, 1995
Simper, Robert, Classic Boat: Revival of the Fittest, pp46-53, October 1999
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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