IN PICTURES: Blackwater Smack & Barge Match marks 60th year, plus race results
By Ben Shahrabi
10th Aug 2022 | Local News
On Saturday 6 August, several century-old Thames Sailing Barges battled it out in the annual Blackwater Sailing Barge Match and Smack Race, in Maldon.
This year, the barges completed a course set by the Officer of the Day, Kevin Finch, who is a local shipwright.
Most of the barges were built well over 100 years ago, and regularly undergo thorough repairs to ensure they are match-ready. A couple of the barges also serve as homes for their owners, while others are operated by companies or charities and welcome the public aboard for cruises.
Cally Stubbs, a member of the Blackwater Sailing Barge Match Association committee, told Nub News: "We were really pleased with the turnout - we weren't expecting as many barges and smacks as we saw.
"We had a lot of help from people, and the committee really pulled together. And we had people out on committee boats running it all.
"It's all done on a voluntary basis, so everyone needs thanks really."
This year's course proved challenging for many of the crews aboard the vintage vessels. In the slow Staysail class, only the George Smeed, owned by Carol Greenhalgh, managed to complete the course.
Once all the barges and smacks reached Hythe Quay, Maldon, Roger Becket, former owner of the Sailing Barge Reminder, handed out the prizes. Roger is credited with kicking-off the barge chartering process in Maldon, which continues to this day.
When introduced by Kevin Finch as his 'old skipper' to a round of applause, Roger told the crowd: "You know your moment has arrived when you should be presenting the prizes rather than winning them.
He joked: "When you stand up, people say, 'he's looking a bit old, isn't he?' and others say 'who the hell is he anyway?'
"I think I can count about 25 Blackwater matches in my time, and I think probably today was one of the more difficult ones, in terms of complexity."
Roger thanked Kevin for the course he set, and congratulated those who took part.
See below for all the results of this year's Blackwater Smack and Barge Match, along with photos:
Barges - Staysail (start time 8.15am)
- 1st – George Smeed (also first round the outer mark and won the pennant for first home)
- Also competed – Centaur
Left to right: Cambria, Niagara and Blue Mermaid. (Photo: Annie Meadows)
Barges – Bowsprit (start time 8.45am)
- 1st – Edme (also first round the outer mark and won the pennant for first home)
- 2nd – Blue Mermaid
- 3rd – Niagara
- Also completed – Mirosa, Marjorie, Cambria
Blue Mermaid is a training barge, operated by Sea-Change Sailing Trust and features the logo of the Maldon Little Ship Club on her mainsail. (Photo: Annie Meadows)
Barges – Senior Staysail (start time 8.30am):
- 1st – Wyvenhoe (also won the prize for fastest start and pennant for first home)
- 2nd – Reminder (also first round the outer mark)
- 3rd – Repertor
Wyvenhoe (centre) took the lead with Reminder (right) not far behind, while Repertor (far left) came in third despite the crew's best efforts. (Photos: Annie Meadows)
Smacks and Bawleys (start time 9am):
- 1st – ADC
- 2nd – Peace
- 3rd – Lizzie Annie
- Last smack home – Gladys
- Fastest start – Martha II
- Also completed: Polly, Puritan, Alberta, Hyacinth, Gracie, Sunbeam, Gladys, Daisybell
'Smacks' are former working sailing fishing vessels, which were used to collect oysters. (Photo: Annie Meadows)
Overall best rounding of the outer mark: Edme
Overall seamanship: Centaur
The Blackwater Sailing Barge Match has been running for 60 years and is organised on a voluntary basis by the committee. It is purely funded through membership, which costs £10 per year.
For more information on how to join the Blackwater Sailing Barge Match Association, email Cally Stubbs.
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