(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.org
Words and photos: Sandy Miller
There was a tense finish in flukey winds for the Blackwater Smack & Barge Match, held on 6 August, 2022, with the fastest smack over the water, Martha II, disqualified for using sails not allowed by match regulations.
(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.orgThe match was first run in 1962 as part of a revivalist drive to boost the preservation of Thames Sailing Barges.
The link with Maldon is much older, however, with the famous Cooks Yard building and repairing barges since SB Dawn in 1894, and the evening prize-giving is held on the Hythe Quay, overlooking barges that still live and work here year-round.
(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.orgThis year’s event was challenging, tense, exciting and frustrating with glorious sunshine but flukey winds bringing the fleet back together at the Osea Island finish. Edme just prevailed over Blue Mermaid in the bowsprit class.
(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.orgJim Dines, owner of Heritage Marine in Maldon, had launched his 1898 iron barge the Wyvenhoe the day before the match after a 4-year restoration and was both 1st over the start line and 1st home in the senior staysail class.
The George Smeed was 1st in the staysail class.
(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.orgThe smack race was a very tense affair too. The 1890, Aldous-built smack ADC, helmed by Eloisa Rule, led for much of the race but was held up by troughs in the light winds heading back up river. Of particular note was Lizzie Annie, the 1906 Maldon smack at just 34ft and helmed by Bob Fawkes, holding her own against the bigger smacks, finally finishing 3rd.
(c)Sandy Miller Photography www.sandymiller.orgAnother Maldon smack, Martha II, caught a gust just off Osea Island to snatch line honours but the winner’s pennant went to a deserving ADC after one of Martha’s sails was deemed non-compliant.
