How long is a barge pole?

[dylanwinter]

My latest film is about the top of the Alde - the bit that leads to Snape - the river really snakes around and I am told that the barge men used to pole their vessels around the bends

does anyone know how long a barge pole is - there is asuggestion on wiki that they were 4m long - but I am not sure that would cut the mustard given the freeboard on a Thames barge

what were they made of - how much did they weigh - did they have a button on the end to stop them sinking into the mud

anyone know

Dylan

Ps - I did post this on classic boats - no really good answers from over there so I thought I would try the experts here

 

[Pandoramark1]

Hi

Here is a starter for 10 http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki?search=Barge+pole

Thanks
PMK1

 

[KieranW]

there is a saying in Ireland, I wouldn't touch her with a 10 foot barge pole

Hope this helps

 

[dylanwinter]

wiki says 4m

there is a saying in Ireland, I wouldn't touch her with a 10 foot barge pole

Hope this helps

4m too short I reckon

- as for 10 feet - well that is really too short too I reckon

Dylan

 

[Searush]

The 10' ones will be for narrow boats on 4' deep canals. barges are somewhat bigger & in deeper water.

 

[macd]

Here is a starter for 10 http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki?search=Barge+pole

...and your starter for 10 is actually reading the OP: "there is asuggestion on wiki that they were 4m long"

 

[Little Rascal]

However long they were - I doubt they were measured in metres!

 

[Bru]

The 10' ones will be for narrow boats on 4' deep canals. barges are somewhat bigger & in deeper water.

Wouldn't be a barge pole on a narrowboat, it'd be the "long shaft" - 10' being about right

Often used the traditional working narrowboat bow thruster a.k.a. my brother + the long shaft

Bru

 

[Poignard]

Setting boom

From 'Spritsail Barges of Thames and Medway' by Edgar J. March:

" For working up creeks and shallow rivers, a setting boom, 25 to 28 ft. long, with a toe-piece to prevent its going too far into the mud, is dropped over the side, the mate gets his shoulder on the other end and walks the barge along - punting on a gigantic scale."

and:

"Setting Booms: 25 to 28 ft. long, 2 in. diam., at 10 in. from lower end is an arm, 18 in. long, projecting 5 in."

Plate 23 shows one being used by the mate on Gertrude May and there is a sketch of one on page 81, together with one of a sweep.

 

[Searush]

Might be a bit too long for the Slug then, unless you fancy a boom & bumpkin all in one.