Barges

“This book is the long-awaited study in depth of a unique form of traditional transport – the sailing barge. Far from confining this study to British barge types, the author examines North American sailing barges, of both coastal and lake forms which are entirely neglected in most of the available literature on barges. The fascination of sailing barges is not merely picturesque: the handling of the vessels, their function, development of design and the various subtle adaptations of hull and rig for different conditions, form an intricate story. John Leather’s research has revealed much information not previously recorded, and this illuminating study will certainly find its way into the permanent bibliography of sail.”