Scale: 1:48. The Thames barge ‘Kathleen’ has been one of the more popular subjects for modelmakers over the years, due largely to the plans and details of the vessel that were published by Edgar J. March in his book ‘Spritsail Barges of the Thames and Medway’. The book has been republished at least twice and so has provided inspiration and guidance to a new generation of modelmakers. This model was made shortly after the original publication of the book in 1948 and it was exhibited at the Model Engineer Exhibition in 1951, where it was awarded a Diploma. One of several models in the Museum’s collection of the ‘Kathleen’ it is perhaps the best of the lot, showing the barge beached on shingle, and with set sails.

The ‘Kathleen’ herself was built at Gravesend and owned by Messrs Daniels Brothers, of Whitstable, Kent. Constructed of wood she was 82.8 feet in length, 19.7 feet beam and around fifty-three tons. She was damaged in 1923 by the Cunard liner ‘Virgilia’ which collided with several barges off Whitstable. In 1945 ‘Kathleen’ was given an auxiliary motor and her mizzenmast was removed. Twenty years later she was restored by Richard Walsh who later used much of her sailing gear to restore another Thames barge, ‘Wyvenhoe’ to sailing condition.