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Barges had a tough life as working boats and were hardly kept in

a pristine state, so the topsides were painted with matt blackboard

paint, which was also used on standing rigging. Running rigging

was builder’s line coloured with teak wood-stain. Decks and other

woodwork were treated with antique pine wood-stain and matt

varnish and the underwater hull coated with red-oxide.

One of the last jobs was to collect a bag of fine shingle from a

local beach, dry it thoroughly and top up the 1/2" space of the

hatch opening. Hatch-covers were piled up ready to be secured

before the barge was moved. Trying to glue the gravel into a

solid lump didn’t work so it does tend to spill onto the decks

but I like to think it just adds to the authenticity. And there’s

plenty more gravel where that came from.

APRIL 2015 http://www.marinemodelmagazine.com

Bulwarks and rigging screws

Samson post and fairleads

Rigging screws made from fishing swivels

Stern detail showing tiller and accommodation ladder

ABOVE: Work in progress on bow

LEFT: Gravel basket made from

paint tin covered in stained twine

hatch opening. Hatch-covers were piled up ready to be secured

before the barge was moved. Trying to glue the gravel into a

solid lump didn’t work so it does tend to spill onto the decks

ABOVE:

LEFT:

paint tin covered in stained twine

The traditional image of a grounded barge – boom triced up,

mainsail scandalised and jib lowered

Hatches, block and ladder

p54_MMAPR15_GravelBarges.indd 58 10/3/15 09:21:47