Thames sailing barge RMG PW1959, William Lionel Wyllie

Thames sailing barge
Watercolour of the Thames barge ‘Providence’ of Rochester, used as an illustration in Wyllie's book 'Marine Painting in Watercolour'. The mainmast has been lowered on this barge, a feature of these craft that enabled them to go under bridges. A number of these vessels still survive in various roles, some fully active, some used as house barges, while others are available for chartering. Wyllie himself owned and sailed a Thames barge for a number of years, which he converted into a floating studio.

Thames sailing barge