Thames sailing barge Raybel was built in 1920 by Wills and Packham at Milton Creek, Sittingbourne for the cargo company Sully’s. 

A strong coasting barge, she’s just as suited to coastal seas, as calmer estuaries; and is also special in being a ‘composite’ barge – that is, mainly made of wood but with iron beams and a long, steel ‘keelson’ running all the way down the length of the barge, along the base. Only a few barges were built in this way. 

She’s a beautiful barge too. When rigged with bowsprit, and the original lofty gear, Raybel has an appearance of both power and elegance, with an enhanced ‘sheer’ – the curve of a barge, from high bow, to lower mid-section, to high again at the aft.

When not in trade, in the early years, Raybel also served as the owner’s family holiday barge. This led to details like a very splendid hatch at the aft, with teak seating, and a comfortable skipper’s cabin with table and side bunks. Indeed the name ‘Raybel’ was derived from the twins Raymond and Isabel who were born to the Sully family earlier in the year that Raybel was built.