Cambria

[coasterspotter]

Cambria seen berthed at Haven Quay , Colchester on 12/6/66. Was she still trading?

[Rick R.I.P.]

Cambria seen berthed at Haven Quay , Colchester on 12/6/66. Was she still trading?

Yes Paul she was still trading.
In the late fifties and early sixties, Everard’s laid off their sailing barges and most were broken up or converted to houseboats. Bob Roberts was given the opportunity to take over Cambria as owner, which he ran successfully from 1966 to 1970. However, not even the Cambria could continue for very much longer in the face of a revolution affecting the freight and haulage industry on land and at sea.

The Maritime Trust offered to buy the Cambria from Captain Bob Roberts, who retired to the Isle of Wight. Cambria became an exhibit at St Katherine’s dock in London and owned by the Maritime Trust. However, due to neglect, the condition of the barge deteriorated in the fresh water of the docks and the barge was sold to the Cambria Trust.

Moved from Dolphin Yard Museum , Sittingbourne to Sheerness Docks in lighter 2006. Moved to Faversham for restoration 2007.Completed 2011.

source:website of the Cambria Trust:http://www.cambriatrust.org.uk/

[coasterspotter]

Thanks for the information Rick, very interesting. I have a couple of shots of Will Everard to post at some stage from around the same time, and in those I thought she looked loaded.

Cheers

Paul

[Rick R.I.P.]

Thanks for the information Rick, very interesting. I have a coupleof shots of Will Everard to post at some stage from around the same time, and in those I thought she looked loaded.

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul, She traded under sail until 1950, when an engine was fitted. She was sold in 1966 for ?750 on the condition that she did not retain the same name, so the new owner called her ?Will?. She was then sold again for use as a private yacht before passing into the ownership of the P&O Group who used her for corporate hospitality. In 2004, ?Will? was purchased by Topsail Events and can still be chartered for special events.

source:http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collect...cts/67432.html

[ray bloomfield]

After Bob got rid of the Cambria he bought the Vectis Isle before retiring to the Isle of Wight but the barge trust didn't like to tell anyone that as the romanticism of the last commercial 'sailorman' who had never sailed with an engine under him would be lost (I was told the story by the man who looked after the Cambria when I went on board in St. Katies dock, Oh he never owned a motor ship he said. Sorry Pal but he did)

[coasterspotter]

Seen at Gravesend on 6/9/2014