The famous Sailing Barge CAMBRIA
Cambria winning the coasting class in the Thames Barge Match 2011
CAMBRIA is a wooden Thames sailing barge, built at Greenhithe, Kent in 1906. She is famed as the last British registered vessel to carry a commercial cargo under sail alone (until 1970) and as such forms a unique part of our industrial and maritime heritage.
Following a four year restoration project, CAMBRIA is again sailing in Thames barge matches, and is now preparing for her new career in sail training and educational activities. This will introduce her to new audiences, who will be able to experience a unique environment to engage in classroom activities and learn to sail in a large traditional wooden vessels, propelled entirely by evironmentally friendly wave and wind power.
CAMBRIA will also available for sail charters, for groups - including educational visits, and individuals, and will be using three locations in Kent; Faversham, Gravesend and Ramsgate.
Please Contact Us for details about hiring and chartering CAMBRIA.
Future CAMBRIA Activities
Operating as a floating classroom, CAMBRIA will moor at a variety of locations throughout the tidal Thames estuary, offering environmental training and education in social and economic history for schools, working closely with educational charities, port authorities and local authorities.
CAMBRIA will also operate as a floating interpretative centre explaining the past, present and future of London River and encouraging interest and support from the general public.
Young people and apprentices will undergo sail training aboard the barge, and the general public will also be able to charter CAMBRIA so that they can experience the joy of sailing aboard this magnificent vessel.
The Cambria Restoration - A £1.4 million project
Building traditional boats in the 21st century
The Cambria has been restored in Faversham at a cost of over £1.4 million. In March 2007, the Cambria Trust was awarded major funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The work, completed over four years, has employed a skilled group of shipwrights in Faversham, and work on refurbishment of the sailing gear has also been sourced from local schools and specialist engineering companies. The Cambria Trust has been fortunate to have been given support from many sponsors, benefactors and local government, and has involved the local community and volunteers. In addition a scheme for training apprentices in wooden shipbuilding construction and repair has successfully been introduced.
