Owned and restored by the Raybel Charters Community Interest Company of Milton Creek in Kent
During the three decades that followed her launch in 1920, Sailing Barge Raybel delivered many thousands of tons of cargo under sail. Then the world changed, and diesel power became most favoured. Sailing Barge Raybel was originally launched into the waters of Milton Creek, Kent – the name derived from twins, Raymond and Isabel, born earlier the same year to sailing barge owner G.F. Sully.
The shipping company – known as ‘Sullys’ – had ordered a powerful coasting barge of some 90 feet from stem to stern post, with a cargo capacity of over 150 tons. Barge builders Wills and Packham delivered – and the Raybel quickly became the pride of Sullys’ fleet. For over 50 years she carried cargoes between London and east coast ports, as well as the near continent – Holland, Belgium and France. During WWII Raybel was commandeered by the Admiralty and for several years worked from the Clyde, Scotland as supply ship to naval craft.
By the early 1970s Raymond Sully was selling the last wooden barges the family still owned. Raybel Charters was founded in 1974 and Raybel passed into new ownership, though continuing to carry general freight such as wheat, starch, pitch and flour for a few more years.
Her sails and rigging were fully restored by 1976. But the changing world meant that work for the Raybel would have to adapt. There was increasing interest in the gentle beauty and awe-inspiring splendour of these sailing craft, which were already rapidly disappearing. This made possible several decades of varied work taking adults and children on a day’s sail or a week of exploration. More recently the main hold has been host to educational activities, theatre, dining, hospitality, and promotional events.
Now the challenge is to complete the circle of history by returning the Raybel to the work she was built for – the delivery of cargo under sail – whilst also creating a modern purpose for her, through new work that connects Thames side communities with their shared Estuary heritage.
Inevitably maintaining and improving such a vessel is a constant and demanding endeavour undertaken by some very determined volunteers with a range of skills and experience. The result is breathtaking. The work is taking place at Milton Creek, Sittingbourne – the very waters into which she was launched just short of 100 years ago. Funding has been secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Swale Borough Council, Kent Community Fund and Groundwork. The team expect to complete the necessary work and re-launch Raybel in time for her centenary in 2020.
The restoration project will also be a key feature of the wider regeneration of Milton Creek in Sittingbourne. And a three-year plan of community, cultural and heritage events, activities and volunteering will begin in autumn 2019. Nor are the team forgetting the skills needed to keep the heritage of Thames sailing barges alive – with training in traditional boat building and maintenance part of the plans.
This will be just the start of the community-based work – once restored Raybel will become a valued asset for education, training and events – bonding communities the length of the Thames Estuary, with each other and with their shared river heritage. As a result, the Transport Trust are delight to recognise this effort with a Restoration Award