SB Decima facts for kids
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|} The Decima is a special kind of boat called a Thames sailing barge. She was built in Southampton in 1899 from steel. Her first owner was E. J. Goldsmith from Grays, Essex. Today, she sails again and lives on the River Darent in Dartford, Kent. She's known as an important "Historic Ship"!
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | Decima |
| Owner |
|
| Ordered | 1897 |
| Builder | F. G. Fay & Co, Southampton, UK |
| Launched | 1899 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Sailing |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Thames sailing barge |
| Tons burthen | 67 |
| Length | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Beam | 19.6 ft (6.0 m) |
| Draught | 3 ft (0.91 m)approx |
| Propulsion | Sail (1899-1949) |
| Sail plan | sprit mainsail, topsail, mizzen |
| Complement | 2 |
What is the Decima's History?
Thames sailing barges have a long history. They started as small wooden boats that carried goods on the London River. Over time, they became very efficient. These barges could carry up to 200 tons of cargo. They even raced to test new designs!
At first, farmers used smaller barges for short trips. Later, larger companies owned many barges. These companies used iron and steel to build their boats. Goldsmiths of Grays was one of the biggest companies. In 1905, they owned 147 barges!
In 1898, Goldsmiths ordered 22 new barges. These were called 'iron-pots'. Some were built by Braby in Deptford, and others by Fay and Co in Southampton. The Braby barges had square sides, which helped them sail better against the wind. The Fay barges, like the SB Decima, had rounded sides. This made them less good at sailing directly into the wind. They relied more on special boards called leeboards to help them.
As a steel ship, the Decima could be pushed hard without damage. But these 'iron-pots' were made for steady journeys, not fast ones. Their skippers (captains) worked for Goldsmiths. This meant the office decided what cargo to carry and where to go.
The Decima was involved in a huge storm on November 23, 1938. The wind blew at 70 miles per hour! Lifeboats helped other barges, but the Decima's crew was taken off. Amazingly, she drifted safely to a beach in Holland by herself!
In 1940, she sank near Southend pier. This happened when her timber cargo broke free. But she was recovered and went back to work.
When Did Decima Become a Motor Barge?
In 1949, the Decima was sold. She was changed into a motor barge. Her sails and rigging were removed. She continued to carry goods using her engine. Her last cargo was scrap metal, delivered to Queenborough in 1977.
How Was the Decima Restored?
After she stopped carrying cargo, the Decima was sold to her last skipper, Beefy Wildish. He put sails and a motor back on her. She became a charter barge, meaning people could hire her for trips.
In 1999, Jeremy Taunton bought her to use as a houseboat. Then, in 2003, Tim Goldsack bought the Decima. He is famous for restoring old sailing barges. He started a big restoration project.
He took out everything inside the boat. Many of her steel plates on the hull (body) and deck were replaced. She got new rigging and good used sails. A new Gardner 6LXB engine was also put in. By 2004, she was sailing again!
In 2010, a jam company called Wilkin and Son Ltd sponsored the Decima. Their logo was put on her topsail (a sail at the very top).
Tim Goldsack sold the Decima to David Leal in 2016. In 2018, she sailed along the Dartford Creek to a spot above Dartford lock.
What is the Decima's Design?
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The shape of a Thames barge's hull (body) was always a balance. It needed to carry a lot of cargo but also sail well. The Decima was built to work in the estuary (where the river meets the sea) and even cross the Channel or the North Sea.
Her hull is made of steel. She is about 85 feet (26 m) long and 20 feet 6 inches (6.25 m) wide. Because she has rounded sides, she uses her leeboards more to help her sail.
Thames barges could have different sail setups. The Decima has been rigged with sails twice in her life. In between, she was a motor barge. We can guess what her original sails and masts looked like by looking at other similar barges from that time.
What are the Decima's Spars?
Spars are the poles or beams that support the sails. On a similar barge called the Kathleen, the mainmast was about 40 feet (12 m) tall. The topmast was about 44 feet (13 m) tall. The sprit (a long pole that holds up the main sail) was 17 feet (5.2 m). The mizzen (a smaller sail at the back) had a mast of 24 feet (7.3 m). Her bowsprit (a pole sticking out from the front) was 22 feet 6 inches (6.86 m) long.
What are the Decima's Sails?
The sails on a Thames barge are a reddish-brown color. This color comes from a special dressing. The sails are made of flax (a plant fiber). To keep them strong and waterproof, they need to be treated. This treatment stops the flax from drying out and getting damaged.
The exact recipe for the sail dressing is a secret! But it includes red-ochre (which protects against UV light), fish oils, linseed oils, seawater, and even horse urine. This dressing helps the sails last a long time.
