The ‘Dawn’ Sailing Barge Trust was extremely pleased to receive a cheque for £250 from Beeleigh Abbey Lodge No 7017 on Wednesday 20th April 2016.
Worshipful Master Al Jones and visiting APGM W.Bro Alan Clark PSGD were delighted to present a cheque for the sum of money raised by the brethren of the Lodge to Bro. Keith Yuill, one of the trustees. In his 20’s, Keith was the mate aboard the Dawn which at the time was being used for educational trips for the London Borough of Newham. (l to r) W/B John Turner ProvGDC, W/B Alan Clarke APGM, Bro. Keith Yuill ProvAGPurs, W/B Al Jones, Bro.Pete Richardson Commissioned in 1895, the Dawn is one of the oldest working barges that can still be seen sailing the River Blackwater and surrounding waters and is the only barge in the world still helmed by a tiller.
She is berthed alongside the other barges at the quay in Maldon. Known as a Stackie, a 12ft haystack was built onto her decks and typically, mangolds (beets) were loaded in the hold. It is vessels like Dawn that helped build the Capital. Her first return load of rubble was unloaded at Heybridge Basin and used by the Corporation for road building in the surrounding areas. Dawn was in trade up to 1961 and worked from Maldon and Colchester to and from the Thames. She was known as the only stackie not to lose a load as she was so stable. Dawn is the only Thames barge that is able to lay at the actual yard (Cooks) where she was built and worked from.
For more information about Dawn visit www.dawn1897.com Dawn in full sail Dawn moored at Maldon Source: Bro. Peter Richardson Secretary Beeleigh Abbey Lodge No.7017 T: 01621 740169 M: 07794 466174 E: [email protected]