Scale 1:64. A full hull model of the ‘Kathleen’ (1901) a spritsail barge. Model is built plank on frame and is decked, rigged including sails, and fully equipped. The starboard planking has been partially omitted to show how the cargo of bricks was carried and stowed on the main hold. The model is mounted on a mirrored based and is wired for illumination operated by a small push button on the baseboard.

The ‘Kathleen’ was built by Glover of Rochester and measured 82 feet in length by 19 feet in the beam and a registered tonnage of 59. The characteristic sprit rig, a long diagonal spar that supports the peak of the mainsail, has the advantage of setting a topsail over the brailed up mainsail, thus catching any wind that may come over the trees or warehouse roof. This provides steerageway with which to manoeuvre the barge when on the river. The rig also allows a clear working space over the deck and hatches when loading and unloading cargo, with the sprit used as a cargo derrick. The whole rig including the mainmast is designed such that it can be lowered by means of the forestay and winch, enabling it to navigate above the bridges of the Thames. This extremely handy and efficient rig only requires a crew of perhaps two men and a boy to handle 5,000 square feet of canvas, whilst in a favourable wind, speeds of up to 12 knots were not uncommon.

The ‘Kathleen’ is a fine example of a barge that was seen in hundreds on the river and estuary up until the First World War. However, the development of road transport between the wars caused their demise, with some converted to motor or sold to private owners and converted to barge yachts.