Ferncliffe | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2333

Status Registered

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Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Barge

Location Gillingham

Vessel type Keel - Humber

Current use Ongoing conservation

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Dunston, Richard, Thorne

Built in 1925

Hull material Iron

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Number of engines 1

Primary engine type Inboard diesel

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

15.50 feet (4.73m)

Length: Overall

61.50 feet (18.76m)

History

FERNCLIFFE is a Humber Keel barge built by Richard Dunston of Thorne in 1925. She is of iron clinker construction and has a Rootes Lister Blackstone TS3 engine She was originally owned by Bleasdale's Shipping Company and used for transporting grain with her many sister ships whose names all had the suffix -cliffe. In 1957 all Bleasdale boats were taken over by the British Transport Commission for non payment of tolls and FERNCLIFFE was later sold to Waddingtons of Swinton who sold her on in 2007. She was bought by her current owner in 2010 and now lies in the River Medway. FERNCLIFFE has historical significance as an unaltered example of a Dunstons of Thorne Sheffield size Humber Keel.

Key dates

1925
Built by Richard Dunston of Thorne as a Cargo Vessel for Bleasdales Shipping Company to transport grain
1957
When Bleasdales defaulted on their mortgage, the vessel was taken over by the British Transport Commission
1960s
Sold to Waddington’s of Swinton
2007
Sold to another owner
2010
Sold to present owner
2016
Vessel is thought to be in poor condition on the Medway being restored

Grants

January 2011
A Sustainability Award of £1000 towards new hatchboards and the cabin roof was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships. Grant withdrawn February 2012. Source: National Historic Ships