Blackwater Match

The Blackwater Smack and Barge Match was first run in 1962 as part of a revivalist drive to boost the preservation of Thames Sailing Barges, writes Sandy Miller. The link with Maldon is much older, however, with the famous Cooks Yard building and repairing barges since SB Dawn in 1894, and the evening prizegiving is held on the Hythe Quay, overlooking barges that still live and work here year-round. This year’s event was challenging, with glorious sunshine but fluky winds bringing the fleet back together at the Osea Island finish. Edme just prevailed over Blue Mermaid in the bowsprit class. Jim Dines, owner of Heritage Marine in Maldon, had launched his 1898 iron barge the Wyvenhoe the day before the match after a four-year restoration and was both first over the start line and first home in the senior staysail class. The George Smeed was first in the staysail class. The smack race was a very tense a§air too. The 1890, Aldous-built smack ADC, helmed by Eloisa Rule, led for much of the race but was held up by troughs in the light winds heading back up river. Of particular note was Lizzie Annie, the 1906 Maldon smack at just 34ft and helmed by Bob Fawkes, holding her own against the bigger smacks, finally finishing third. Another Maldon smack, Martha II, caught a gust just o§ Osea Island to snatch line honours but the winner’s pennant went to a deserving ADC after one of Martha’s sails was deemed non-compliant.