Over A Hundred & Twenty Years And Still Going Strong

One of 37 barges built by J & H Cann at Gas House Creek, Harwich, Kitty was built in 1895. Cann’s were renowned for both high quality workmanship and a reputation for building fast vessels. This reputation for speed is evidenced by the number of East Coast Barge races she has won over many years.

Construction

Kitty is 27 metres in length, with a 6.5 metre beam; she is massively built on oak frames and floors and double clad in 3 and 4 inch pitch pine. She still has her original pine keelson measuring 0.4 metres square and 23 metres long. Her spritsail rig has a sail area of almost 3000 square feet and her gross tonnage is 79 tons and when in trade was capable of carrying a cargo of 150 tons.

Restoration

Kitty was sailed and operated in the Solent from the late Seventies and was not fitted with an engine until the early Eighties. She remains fully capable of sailing with her unique and authentic spars and sails. An extensive and continuing restoration programme has been undertaken since 1990 in order to restore and upgrade her to her current glory. Restoration work has included re-planking her sides and deck plus designing a luxurious bar area and main saloon. Kitty is one of the oldest barges currently sailing and is on the official list of historic ships.

Sailing Barge Kitty Today

Kitty is owned by S.B.Kitty Ltd and engages in the passenger/event charter market where she is used for private and corporate events.

Visit www.sailingbargekitty.com for further information.