Bank holiday weekend saw the Edith May head across the Thames Estuary to Southend-on-Sea for the 48th sailing barge match.
John Knight, Richy Barling and Richard Murr endure the weather...
The sail over on Saturday was punctuated with rainy squalls, typical bank holiday weather, but was enjoyable nonetheless. On arrival at the Pier, the barge was able to lay alongside the recently restored Melissa. Her owners, the Webb family, have done a lovely job of bringing the steel barge back to the fleet and she is now fitted out to take passengers on the scenic River Orwell from her base at Pin Mill (http://olivecottage.homeip.net/SBMelissa/).
One of the Edith May’s newest crew had brought along a gallon of homemade cherry wine and some fishing bait, which made for a very jolly Saturday night. Just as well the start was a relatively leisurely 11am the next morning!
Edith May and Melissa
Match day was perfect weather for barge racing (westerly, force 4-5), with the start, outer mark and finish all off the end of the pier. Six barges entered, with Edme, Adieu and Marjorie in the Bowsprit Class, Edith May and Melissa in Fast Staysails and Lady of the Lea in the Slow Staysails.
Greg Diddams, whose barging heritage stretches back generations, was brought in as mainsheetman for the match and soon proved his worth, guiding skipper Geoff Gransden over the line only 14 seconds after the gun.
Melissa's crew watch Edith May pass close astern of ship (S. Cornish)
Edith May maintained her lead over Melissa whilst they turned to windward toward Sea Reach No. 7. Getting around the mark was tricky as it became apparent a large container ship was going to reach the buoy at the same time. Having radioed the ship to let him no our intentions, Edith May bore around the mark between the ship and the buoy. The ships captain radioed back afterwards to compliment the barge on a great manoeuvre.
As the barges ran back toward the pier, which was the half way point, Melissa set the massive running sail that had proven so successful at the Thames and she was able to cruise into the lead, which she then maintained until the finish.
Edith May running downwind (Photo S. Cornish)
In the Bowsprit Class, Edme had once again stormed into the lead and, with the Melissa nearing the finish, Edith May became embroiled in an inter-class battle with the Marjorie. With all her downwind gear set, it looked like she would be through by the pier, but a good gybe by Edith May’s crew at the final mark saw her finish ahead.
Blue running sail set, Melissa storms away...(Photo D. Brooks)
Getting the train back to the end of the pier at the end of the evening was novel and capped the end of a great weekend. One of the crew even managed to catch a fish, despite being ever so slightly sozzled…
Some of the prizes accumulated over the season
The fishing proved popular, if a little unsuccessful...
Edith May and Melissa alongside the Pier
