The Thames Sailing Barge Match is the second oldest sailing race in the world, beaten only by the America's Cup. It starts off Stanford-le-Hope and finishes off the Three Daws public house in Gravesend on the London River (River Thames) and is open to spritsail rigged Thames sailing barges, it uses the same course and rules as were used in the first match in 1863.[1]
The swim-headed barge (the swimmie) was convenient for river work, slow to windward, fast off the wind but performing abysmally in heavy weather in the seaway. In the 1840s the swim head gave way to the rounded bow that was soon replaced by a straight stem (the stemmie). Competition from the railways was causing barge builders to experiment.
"The Golden Dustman", William Henry Dodd, organised the first race in 1863, giving cash prizes for the first barges in the stumpie and topsail classes. The second race in 1864 attracted 40 barges. Of the 16 stumpies and the 22 topsail barges entering in 1865, six were still in service in 1931. They sailed from Erith to The Nore and back in 5hr 47min and 5hr 14min.The Stumpies commonly raced at this time with a bowsprit. The owner of the leading 1867 stumpies, Lee, painted Invicta, the white horse of Kent on his black mainsails
The races were to induce the barge owners to improve the standard of equipment, and raise the status of the crews.
The public chartered special steamers to watch matches, and soon after, barge owners were commissioning barges with racing lines.
Started from Mucking No. 3 buoy, Lower Hope Reach, River Thames heading to South West Barrow buoy, returning to the finish off Gravesend. The course sailed was shortened to Sea Reach No.3 North Buoy as the outer mark
1st: Adieu
2nd: Marjorie
There are nine barge matches a year, and for example in 2018 :