History
Current from Year 2020
Bought by Nick Briggs in 2020 continuing as a private yacht barge. Nick came to the barge world when he owned Victor from the early 90's to mid 00's and is now looking forward to being part of the history of Whippet. The crew are all volunteers who enjoy sailing the seasons planned voyages. This latest history will be a new chapter to be told in the coming years.
Years 2002 to 2020
Sold to Owen and Rita Emerson in 2002, Owen converted her to a traditional Thames Sailing Barge. Owen fitted straight stern and traditional bow. he has doubled the bottom with vegitable oil in between.The hull has been epoxy painted. Whippet gained wheel steering gear from the Water Lily and was fitted with an auxiliary engine. Initially it was a 58hp Ford four cylinder but in 2006 this was changed for a six cylinder Ford Dover with 128hp and a PRM box.The decks and coamings are still the originals today.
The spritsail rig used the mast from Reg extended and restepped along with a new mizzen which is bigger. Owen refitted the whole barge below retaininig much of the stern cabin as it was. The lining was already fitted but its origins are unknown. New galvanised fuel ( 120gals)and water tanks (4tons) plus a holding tank from a fire engine have been installed.
Owen and Rita have had many happy years sailing her as their private yacht barge.
The Mid Years
Reg Coombes bought her in the early 70's and this was the second time she was saved.He won the Greenwich rowing match in 1973. He converted her to a swim head sailing barge with budget stern, a gaff rig including shrouds (still on her today) were fitted still with tiller steering. The mizzen was relatively small and tiller mounted. Reg put new rails on her, a mast case from Swift Shore and windlass from a barge kept up the river Lee. Reg used the stern cabin as his accommodation below. The cabin top and fittings came from Plover.
The First Years
Built in 1905 by Humphrey and Grey in iron. She was a bonded spirit barge, mainly carrying tea. (unrigged). She had sweeps to navigate on the tides fitted also with a rudder and tiller steering. From 1958 she became one of four training barges for lightermen on the River Thames. This was the first time that she was saved as a barge since she was granted a GLC grant and had a new bottom and rubbing band.
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