Tamar barge


A Tamar barge is a masted sailing vessel, designed for carrying cargo along the River Tamar and the south coast of Cornwall.
The Tamar barge can be either a single or double masted vessel. It can carry up to 32 tonnes. Tamar barges were manufactured in the 19th century in the Tamar Valley by boatbuilders such as James Goss of Calstock, Frederick Hawke of Stonehouse, Plymouth and David Banks of Queen Anne’s Battery in Sutton Harbour, Plymouth.
There are only two surviving Tamar barges, both have been almost completely restored. Normally one, Shamrock, is open to visitors at Cotehele Quay and the other, Lynher, is privately owned and moored at Cremyll.
Shamrock is currently undergoing extensive repairs due to lack of maintenance which had led to mould and rot spreading throughout the timbers. The National Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to pay for the repairs to the historic vessel.

List of known Tamar Barges

VesselImageLengthSail PlanBuilderDatePlaceFateRef
Annie55.7 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1899Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Abandoned at Hooe Lake
Bertie46.2 ftSloopDavid Banks and Co.1883Queen Annes Battery,
Plymouth
Abandoned in 1928 at Hooe Lake
CommerceUnknownCutterUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
Edith54.9 ftCutterUnknownc1890UnknownUnknown
Edward & SarahUnknownCutterEdward BroomingUnknownCalstock,
Devon
Unknown
Edwin55.1 ftUnknownRichard Hill & Sons1880Cattedown,
Plymouth
Abandoned in 1924, partly broken up, at Pomphlett Creek
Elizabeth JaneUnknownCutterUnknownUnknownUnknownAbandoned at Antony Passage
Flora May50.5 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1897Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Operated between Danescombe Quay and Plymouth
Later abandoned at Saltash
GwendolineUnknownUnknownDavid Banks and Co.1894Queen Annes Battery,
Plymouth
Unknown
Kate54 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1885Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Unknown
Lillie55 ftSloopJames Goss1899Calstock,
Devon
Unknown
Industry40 ftSloopEdward Brooming1880Calstock,
Devon
Unknown
Lynher51.2 ftCutterJames Goss1896Calstock,
Devon
Abandoned in the 1950s at Poldrissick Quay
Restored in 1999 by Charlie Force
Currently Operational
MartinUnknownCutterUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
MayblossomUnknownUnknownUnknown1894PlymouthUnknown
Myrtle50 ftSloopRobert May1896Danescombe Quay,
Calstock,
Cornwall
Bomded by the Luftwaffe during the Plymouth Blitz, sank in the Hamoaze, next to Devonport Naval Base.
Pearl52 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1896Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Abandoned at Hooe Lake
Phoenix51.9 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1900Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Unknown
ReaperUnknownUnknownFrederick Hawkec1900Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Unknown
Shamrock57.5 ftKetchFrederick Hawke1899Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Abandoned in the 1960’s at Hooe Lake
Restored in 1975 by the National Trust
Currently a Floating Museum
SecretUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
SirdarUnknownCutterUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
Triumph56.5 ftCutterFrederick Hawke1898Stonehouse,
Plymouth
Used in WWII, later abandoned at Poldrissick Quay
YealmUnknownUnknownMoore1878Sutton Pool,
Plymouth
Unknown

Surviving Tamar barges

  • Shamrock, built in 1899 by Frederick Hawke.
  • Lynher, built in 1896 by James Goss. Ship of the National Historic Fleet