Paint It Black

[DownWest]

Well the subject was about black on wood & tar was mentioned. I do not know how a Thames barge is coated, but as the wife drove me along Downes road in Maldon ( albeit at great speed) this afternoon I thought that they ( I think about 4 or 5 of them not sure) looked very smart. Certainly not "rough as old boots" as one might suggest.

I did say it was when I was young, so it would have been the most cost effective coating back then, when they were working in the 50s. No idea what they use now, but doubt it is tar. Not too healthy. Bit like creosote, carcinogenic.

 

[Tranona]

The thread was brought back to life in post #29 which asked specifically about black (or BRG) on a cold moulded hull and the conventional wisdom is that it is not a good idea as the extra heat may cause problems with the multitude of glued seams that hold the thin planks together. Very different problem from a Thames barge, or even a carvel built boat like Storm.

 

[Daydream believer]

I did say it was when I was young, so it would have been the most cost effective coating back then, when they were working in the 50s. No idea what they use now, but doubt it is tar. Not too healthy. Bit like creosote, carcinogenic.

Is creosote available these days?

 

[DownWest]

The thread was brought back to life in post #29 which asked specifically about black (or BRG) on a cold moulded hull and the conventional wisdom is that it is not a good idea as the extra heat may cause problems with the multitude of glued seams that hold the thin planks together. Very different problem from a Thames barge, or even a carvel built boat like Storm.

Yes, but Storm is in the current posts as well as the older ones. Black really isn't a good idea for carvel hulls, esp if in a sunny clim. As for cold moulded, best go a bit lighter.

 

[ianc1200]

Downwest said People with experience would suggest a light colour, as it reduces the upkeep. If Storm remains on the East coast with the usual lack of sun and has the 'skirts' to protect the hull from the UV, fine and a personal choice.
Being old enough to remember the working Thames barges at Maldon, they were as rough as old boots, so completely different.

Totally agree.

In the photo above (about two days ago) there are eyes on the toeboard and a white vinyl curtain on the ground in front of Storm. This is how I protect her, copied from a friend of mine when she owned the (much larger, but painted black) bawley "Bona".

Storm was painted with a black bitumen type paint inside when I got her, and one timber across the inside of the transom, but I believe previously painted white for at least 50 years whilst based on the south coast.

Just in case anybody can help or offer suggestions, Storm was sold in 1937 from Poole, when she also last appeared in the Lloyds Registers. David Cade bought her in 1961 or 62' in Fareham. I've not been able to find anything about where she was, or who owned her 1937 - 1961.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Black is a no no is it?
Glad I never bought a Thames barge then.
Close shave that one.

Yea well , Thames Barges were real hard worked craft , seldom see them with Fenders around them to protect them from Bumps and Knocks etc ; maybe an Old Used tyre here and there , mainly about the bow , to soften any 'meetings' with other craft ?

These Barges were in use most days and nights , so were not left moored up for days or weeks , to dry out , they had the Sea Water and Spray around them each day , so they were 'wetted' down daily keeping them timbers wetish ; when fully loaded they sat low in the water , which helped keep the topsides wetish , when under sail they listed a bit also keeping the topsides wet .

I used to coat some of my boats with Creasote and Bitumen mix , went on lovely , stuck like (you know what) spread very well , plus filled up the seams well , using the correct brush actions to ply the mix into the caulked seams ; plus the aroma /smell was like a real working Craft /boat should be like

 

[Taliesin]

Is creosote available these days?

Certain people are licensed to purchase it for use, I believe it can still be used for some agricultural applications and also the Railways but it may well be withdrawn totally next year altogether.

 

[westernman]

Certain people are licensed to purchase it for use, I believe it can still be used for some agricultural applications and also the Railways but it may well be withdrawn totally next year altogether.

Would Stockholm tar be as effective as Creosote?

 

[Wansworth]

Interestingly black was in clothes a sign of wealth as dyeing cloth black was expensive,certainly black painted yachts look elegant

 

[tico]

Interesting, I wondered why the 2 Hillyard boats nearby are both painted a light primrose yellow.

 

[Wansworth]

Interesting, I wondered why the 2 Hillyard boats nearby are both painted a light primrose yellow.

I worked for Hillyards for brief time and apparently he said that his boats are to be painted white and no other colour.I helped build one of the only ones not white a dark blue but at that timeDavid Hillyard was dead and his nephew was not so adamant

 

[ianc1200]

It's just over 10 years since I started this thread. Just to confirm, despite being painted black, Storm hasn't falled apart yet..... Painted each year, but also had new sheerplanks, been refastened, new bowsprit etc. This is from the day after she was lifted last week, yet to start the annual repaint. So far this week two deck repairs, a section of soft plankinging taken out, reavealing a hollowed out frame which also has been removed.

 

[Wansworth]

It's just over 10 years since I started this thread. Just to confirm, despite being painted black, Storm hasn't falled apart yet..... Painted each year, but also had new sheerplanks, been refastened, new bowsprit etc. This is from the day after she was lifted last week, yet to start the annual repaint. So far this week two deck repairs, a section of soft plankinging taken out, reavealing a hollowed out frame which also has been removed.

View attachment 193545View attachment 193546View attachment 193547

Is it the storm mentioned in PeterHeatons book….?

 

[Boathook]

It's just over 10 years since I started this thread. Just to confirm, despite being painted black, Storm hasn't falled apart yet..... Painted each year, but also had new sheerplanks, been refastened, new bowsprit etc. This is from the day after she was lifted last week, yet to start the annual repaint. So far this week two deck repairs, a section of soft plankinging taken out, reavealing a hollowed out frame which also has been removed.

View attachment 193545View attachment 193546View attachment 193547

Pretty looking vessel.

 

[ianc1200]

Is it the storm mentioned in PeterHeatons book….?

Not come across Peter Heaton's book before, but there are chapters in Maurice Griffith's Magic of the Swatchways & Ten Small Yachts devoted to her. She is a bawley yacht built in 1910 by Bunndock Bros at Leigh on Sea, Essex UK, owned by MG in 1924 & again 1930/31. She was owned by David Cade and family 1962 - 2014. David was the long time President/Secretary/Newsletter editor etc of the OGA. When David owned her in 1970, she was inside a trott of other OGA boats at Cowes and was crushed due big waves etc. She still has a loss of sheer in her middle sections.

edit - Wandsworth, which Peter Heaton book were you thinking - I can there's quite a few.

 

[Wansworth]

Had a wooden boat herein Galicia I painted it black ,looked very smart……Do you think originally the fishing boats use Black tar fro the gasworks ?

Not come across Peter Heaton's book before, but there are chapters in Maurice Griffith's Magic of the Swatchways & Ten Small Yachts devoted to her. She is a bawley yacht built in 1910 by Bunndock Bros at Leigh on Sea, Essex UK, owned by MG in 1924 & again 1930/31. She was owned by David Cade and family 1962 - 2014. David was the long time President/Secretary/Newsletter editor etc of the OGA. When David owned her in 1970, she was inside a trott of other OGA boats at Cowes and was crushed due big waves etc. She still has a loss of sheer in her middle sections.

edit - Wandsworth, which Peter Heaton book were you thinking - I can there's quite a few.

I thought I recall Heaton mentioning crossing the channel towing a dinghy …….willcheck in my tomes