Some weeks ago, I received an email from a lady, Glenna White, asking me if I would like a little pamphlet, Whitewall Barge Yachts, which she had come across in a second hand book shop.

Glenna wasn’t asking for any payment, she just wanted it to go to good home and having found ‘me’ on the world wide web, contacted.

Now, many ‘barge’ people know of the company based at Upnor/Hoo and Whitewall Creek from the years immediately after World War II, as I of course had, but sight of a brochure, no, I hadn’t.

Today after returning from a day out, I found a large package on the door mat. Within, I found the pamphlet along with an original copy of Edgar J. March’s book, Spritsail Barges of the Thames and Medway.

Having written to say a heartfelt thank you, I felt it only right to share my joy. It certainly boosts one’s belief in fellow human beings.

The pamphlet runs you through the basics of what you get for your money in a floating home which you can sail away on. A great many of the barge-yacht conversions on offer after World War II came from this company.

A surprise to me was that the company offered a 45′ (half barge) built and fitted out as a cruising home.

The plan looks remarkably like a design produced by Maurice Griffiths and featured in my book, Swinging the Lamp.

Also within, were details of a 27′ barge-yacht…

Whether or not any of these new build proposals reached fruition, I do not know. If anyone does have knowledge, then i would be delighted to hear from you.

So, thank you again Glenna. Bless you.