SB Elsie Bertha

Naming

Frank Mason ordered Elsie Bertha in 1878 from Miltons, a Kent builder. This was Masons’ third vessel and was named for his daughter who had died aged five months.

Skatty

Her final skipper, Arthur Catchpole, was a smartly dressed man and was known as Skatty., he would have nothing to do with the orthodox seaman’s blue jersey & cheese cutter cap. Instead always wore a hard felt hat and white collar and cuffs. He looked more like a doctor than a barge skipper. He had Masons’ Elsie Bertha when she was run down and sunk in the Swin1Skatty – Down Tops’l by Hervey Behham.

Topmark

Although the image is not a good one it does show the topmark, which, could be a Moon or half Moon so is inconclusive.

Elsie Bertha or Jumbo, note top mark or emblem Courtesy Ron Green Collection
Elsie Bertha or Jumbo, note top mark or emblem Courtesy Ron Green Collection

Barge Details

Name: Elsie Bertha, Main trade: Cement, Port of Registry: Rochester, Off. No.: 78542, Tonnage: 47, Where built: Milton, Builder, When built: 1878, Owners: Mason 1893. Run down and sunk in the Swin; date unknown.

Footnotes

Image Sources and Credits

  • 1
    Skatty – Down Tops’l by Hervey Behham

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *