Owned and restored by Ash Faire-Ring of Burnham Overy, Norfolk.
Up on the North Norfolk coast are a collection of small villages. In one of them is a field, a short distance from the high-water mark. In that field is a large plastic tent arrangement, and under that large plastic tent arrangement a very talented and determined 17 year old is undertaking a rebuild of epic proportions in the shape of a 1920s Thames Barge, called “Growler”. Although not as large as some barges (hence the name “growler” which is a small iceberg) it is still a big thing, and its proud owner is no stranger to the painstakingly slow exertions required to re-plank and re-keel such a vessel. Work is well underway, and the proud owner is confident that it will soon be back afloat.
Growler was built in 1922 by the famous Barge builders "White and Co" at Conyer Creek on the river Swale. They were famed for building the "Sara" which was the fastest barge ever built. It is said that Growler is a third sized version of her. Her designer was called Ted Hughes and he owned her up until 1944. By this time her rig had been significantly cut down. She spent the war years moored at Benfleet yacht club and was then bought by Eddie Snugg and rerigged as a Bermudian ketch. Growler was then used from 1945-67 as a club boat and many young people learnt to sail on her. In 1967 she was bought by Mike De la Boltz and he restored her to a much more traditional standing gaff rig. He enjoyed many years with his family onboard before selling her in 1972.Little is known of what happened next until she was rescued by Gus Curtis and moved to a barn in Dedham in 1996, where she sat quietly before passing to Ash.
Ash has always loved classic boats, and he built his first boat with his father when he was 10. In July 2018 he received a phone call from a friend saying that they had come across the most beautiful sailing barge sitting in a barn in Suffolk. A month later he went to visit and after a meeting the owner he very kindly gave her to him.
The rebuild started in June 2020 and by his own admission it has been a huge learning curve albeit incredibly rewarding. Under the instruction of shipwright John Owles, Ash has made significant inroads into the rebuild, replacing 23 planks, doubling the frames and fitting a new keel. Next steps are to procure a suitable engine and Ash intends to use the barge for the carriage of commercial cargo. A very worthy winner of a Transport Trust Restoration Award.