BargeA barge is typically a flat-bottomed boat which does not have its own means of mechanical propulsion. Their original use was on inland waterways, while modern use is on both inland and marine water environments. The first modern barges were pulled by tugs, but on inland waterways, most are pushed by pusher boats, or other vessels. The term barge has a rich history, and therefore there are many types of barges.
Dutch bargeA Dutch barge is a traditional flat-bottomed shoal-draughtbarge, originally used to carry cargo in the shallow Zuiderzee and the waterways of The Netherlands. There are many types of Dutch barge, with characteristics determined by regional conditions and traditions. Originally, Dutch barges were sailing craft with wooden hulls. Today, while few wooden examples remain, there are many steel barges that are 100 years old or more.
NarrowboatA narrowboat is a particular type of barge, built to fit the narrow locks of the United Kingdom. The UK's canal system provided a nationwide transport network during the Industrial Revolution, but with the advent of the railways, commercial canal traffic gradually diminished and the last regular long-distance transportation of goods by canal had virtually disappeared by 1970. However, some commercial traffic continued.List of the types of canal craft in the United KingdomThis is a list of the types of craft to be found on the canals and non-tidal rivers of the United Kingdom for which the Canal and River Trust have a licence category: Thames sailing barges,BargesDutch bargesCabin cruisersCanoes and kayaksMersey flatNarrowboatsStand-up paddleboardOpen powered boatsRowing boatsSail boatsWidebeamsNotesReferences"All craft great and small". Canal & River Trust. 28 January 2019 2020.
Thames sailing bargeA Thames sailing barge is a type of commercial sailing boat once common on the River Thames, and nearby coastline and estuaries. The flat-bottomed barges, with a shallow draught and leeboards, were perfectly adapted to these often shallow waters The barges only needed a small crew, typically two men and a dog. The average size was about 120 tons and they carried around 4,200 square feet (390 m2) of canvas sail in six working sails.Well deck
Bow (watercraft)The bow () is the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat, the point that is farthest forward when the vessel is underway in the usual direction. The aft end of the boat is the stern. Prow may be used as a synonym for bow, or it may refer specifically to the foremost part of the bow above the waterline. FunctionA ship's bow should be designed to enable the hull to pass efficiently through the water.
FiberglassFiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (Commonwealth English) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass cloth. The plasticmatrix may be a thermoset polymer matrix—most often based on thermosetting polymers such as epoxy, polyester resin, or vinyl ester resin—or a thermoplastic.
Boat buildingBoat building is the design and construction of boats (instead of the larger ships) — and their on-board systems. This includes at minimum the construction of a hull, with any necessary propulsion, mechanical, navigation, safety and other service systems as the craft requires.
Beam (nautical)The beam of a ship is its width at its widest point. The maximum beam (BMAX) is the distance between planes passing through the outer sides of the ship, beam of the hull (BH) only includes permanently fixed parts of the hull, and beam at waterline (BWL) is the maximum width where the hull intersects the surface of the water.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.