Three types of vessels of roughly the same size can be confused: ‘barges’, metal ‘lighters’ and ferroconcrete ‘lighters. This is compounded by the term ‘barge’ sometimes being used to describe a lighter.
Thames Sailing Barges
These have a sailing rig, or at least did when active. In the distant past, they partly evolved from wooden Thames lighters. ‘TSBs’ from the early twentieth century onward often have iron or steel hulls (iron pots), before this they were, of course, wooden. They are sailed by ‘sailormen’ but never by ‘bargees’ who are found on canals. TSBs are typically in the range of 80′ (24m) in length and 18′ (5.5m) beam’ although there are half-size barges such as Cygnet. See The Barge Collection.
Thames metal lighters
These are ‘dumb’ vessels for carrying bulk cargo, generally on the Thames or London River. Originally they were made of wood. Usually, they have a ‘swim head’ bow which is flat and slanting upwards, some have a stem head. There are many along the East Coast. These include retired lighters used as breakwaters, as in the Backwaters, abandoned hulks and conversions such as LBK6 (which did have an engine). During World War Two many were converted to Landing Craft. Steel Thames Lighters vary in dimension, although many are between 22m and 27m. Those in the Backwaters and at Bradwell are 26.2m/6.5m length/beam. The Open Barges forming the Horsey Breakwater are metal Thames lighters. Also, see Metal Lighter Hulk on the Stour.
Ferro Concrete Barges (FCBs)
According to www.thecretefleet.com, which is the definitive source on the topic, there were two hundred and ninety-four open ferro-concrete barges (FCBs), and two hundred, closed, petrol barges (PCBs) built during World War Two. These were originally intended mainly for use in the invasion of France.
It seems that none of the petrol barges were used for the Normandy landings as they did not perform well in a test and, in any case, better solutions were found. The open barges were utilised around the British coast. Both types had a range of uses after the War.
Most FCBs were’ Stem Head’, the Ritchie design is 81’9″/21’8″ or 25.9m/6.5m length/beam and the Mouchel design is 84’/22’6″ or 25.6m/6.7m length/beam. Both types were built initially but the Mouchel design was adopted. There were 50 built with a Swim Head. In total 294 FCBs were built, an initial batch of 40, then 255 more.
PCBs were adapted from the Mouchel design and had the same dimensions. There were 201 PCBs including the prototype.
These FCBs, despite their size, have a tendency to hide in plain sight and may not all bet yet located. The one at Titchmarsh is an example.
There are other ferro concrete structures in the Estuary such as Roughs Tower and the Pheonix unit on Maplin Sand.
Sources for FCBs
www.thecretefleet.com has a lot of explanations and debunks the D-day connection.
An excellent account of the Canvey example and history of the type by Richard Lewis who has the site below:
Some photos of the ones at Rainham
Ferro Concrete Cargo Barge | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)
www.concretebarge.co.uk/frames/index.htm – More photos. Includes a plan but it may not be the same type. Some issues with the D-Day history.
Name FCB 52 | National Historic Ships
Surviving Ferro-Concrete Barges? – Naval section – HMVF – Historic Military Vehicles Forum
FCB 52 – Friends of Purton – lists quite a few numbers.
Boats Made of Concrete? – Glen-L Marine – some of the information regarding use is questioned by thecretefleet site.
Canvey Concrete Barge – Beyond the Point – This one is now blown up! The story needs correction.
CANALSIDE CAMERA – plans and some locations.
World War II Ferro-Concrete Barges – ClydeMaritime Forum (clydemaritimeforums.co.uk) some locations. Mentions elm fenders.