Built in 1906 by J & H Cann of Harwich, a spritsail barge of timber construction and a Ford diesel engine of 120 hp. EDITH MAY's working life was spent on the East Coast carrying grain.
She was derigged after the Second Wolrd War and traded as a motor barge until 1961. She was G F Sully's smallest coasting barge, her area being restricted so that she could take cargoes anywhere between Harwich and Dover, but was not able to go to Great Yarmouth. She would take 125 tonnes to sea.
In 1953, she won the Thames Sailing Barge Match in her class, believed to be the Coronation Match of that year.
After 1961 she was rerigged by Vernon Harvey and became one of the most successful racing barges of the post-trade era. She was sold and moved to Liverpool during the 1980s before returning to the East Coast in 1990. She sat in St Katherines Dock, London for several years and deteriorated before moving to the Medway where she was bought by her present owner in 1999. There followed a major restoration project which is now nearing completion. EDITH MAY was regarded as the finest and fastest barge in the fleet. She is a link to the past for the community of Lower Halstow where she is being rebuilt: the village was built around Eastwoods brickworks and a fleet of barges operated out of the dock there.
Subsequent developments
September 2009: Restoration work is almost complete and the gear has been raised on EDITH MAY for the first time in nine years. The sail maker will be measuring for new sails shortly and the barge should be back in the water in early Spring to enjoy the 2010 season. Source; current owner, Sept 2009.
October 2009: The owner of EDITH MAY plans to charter her once she is operational again in 2010. In the meantime, she is open to the public on 21 November 2009 for an exhibition of local artists work. She will also be open every weekend from then onwards, with an evening of carol singing on board on 10 December. Visit www.edithmay.com for more information. Source; National Historic Ships vessel visit, Oct 2009
January 2010 A sustainability grant of £1500 for sails was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships. Source: National Historic Ships
November 2010 Relaunched in June and has since been sailing extensively on the Medway. On the barge blocks at Halstow since the middle of October and has now re-opened the on board tea shop. Source: current owner, November 2010
April 2012 Winner of Flagship of the Year 2012 and awarded £1,000 from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships UK. Source: National Historic Ships UK
April 2012 Vessel selected for Avenue of Sail, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012. Source: National Historic Ships UK.
Bibliography
2011 Yachting Monthly An Essex girl back in the groove
2012 Classic Boat 1,000 Boat Pageant - The Flotilla Boats
If you are the owner of the vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
