Thames Sailing Barge

Flat bottomed commercial barges, able to float in as little as 1 metre of water, perfect for operation in the Thames estuary with its shallow waters and narrow rivers, were common in 19th century London but also further afield, carrying bulk cargoes such as bricks, hay, rubbish, sand, coal and grain. They were operated by a crew of only two, which by today's standards would be seen as hard physical work.

Today they carry tourists on river cruises.

I saw this survivor, SB Thistle (built 1895), in Ipswich this week, preparing for the season's cruises.

In my extra today: Thistle is seen with the Marina and checkerboard-patterned University Campus Suffolk (UCS)  in the background.

What a lovely place to study!