Lynher’s story from past to present
Following the winding River Tamar from Plymouth, you come to Calstock. In the 19th Century, this river town was home of James Goss, a shipbuilder with extraordinary talents. His Tamar barges were a common sight in the local waterways, with a variety of cargoes being transported up and down the rivers. In 1896, Lynher was added to the fleet.
Key Dates and Events
If you’d like a more detailed account of the heritage of Lynher click here to download the Heritage PDF document – with special thanks to Jan Carpenter who also provided most of the images from the 1980s and 90s period.
1896
The Lynher was built at Calstock between 1895 and 1896 on the Devon side of the River Tamar by James Goss and was sold on completion to a Mr Cox, presumably Captain Cox the first skipper, at a build cost of £400.
1924
At 28 years of age, the Lynher was purchased and registered by Captain S Daymond of Saltash for an unknown sum.
1928
In 1928, still under Captain Daymond, the Lynher was fitted with a sturdy 27 horse power engine of an unknown make and model, which ran on tractor vapourising oil, or TVO as it was often abbreviated to, a common fuel before the proliferation of the motor car. A one-and-a-half horse power Hamworthy engine powering a winch fixed to a crane was installed at the same time, replacing the need for labouriously hand operating the derrick, thus speeding up the loading/unloading process.
1930
During a bitterly cold December in 1930, the Lynher is recorded as sailing from Plymouth to Fowey.
1940
Soon after the outbreak of WW2, the Lynher was requisitioned by HM Government for use as a barrage balloon platform and anchored in Plymouth Sound for the duration.
1945
Now owned by Mr Kimberly Foster, the proprietor of Treluggan Quarry and worked exclusively from Treluggan with cargoes of Blue Elvan road stone.
1948
The customs register states the Lynher as being ‘broken up’ at an unspecified time in 1948 after 52 years afloat, although it is locally known that she continued to work up until sometime into the 1950’s.
1956
Treluggan Quarries closes and the Lynher is hulked next to the quarries quay at Poldrissick. The image above, courtesy of Mr.Cotton of Polbathic, was taken in 1982 and shows Lynher (on the left) hulked next to a trading ketch known as “Millom Castle”. Nowadays, the remains of Millom castle can be seen only at Low Water Spring. Image courtesy of John Cotton.
1979
Enquiries were made for the restoration of the Lynher by the trustees of Morwellham Quay. Considered uneconomical to rebuild, the Lynher was overlooked as a project. Image courtesy of John Cotton.
1985
Charlie Force made enquiries about the Lynher’s hulk and decided to dig the mud out of the barge.
1986
Thanks to Charlie’s effort the barge miraculously floated out of her mud berth.
1989
Using a dump-truck engine, Charlie proceeded to motor the barge up to Morwellham Quay.
1992
After an exciting first navigation upriver with a dumper truck engine strapped to her side, the Lynher reaches Morwellham Quay.
1995
The restoration starts.
1999
Steady progress was made during the restoration although it took Charlie Force 9 years of intense labour.
2000
The ‘Lynher’ after restoration in full sail south of Plymouth Breakwater 1999. The Lynher is sold to a lady who had the intention of living aboard whilst cruising the coast.
2004
The Lynher went up the slip at Mashfords boatyard on the Hamoaze for a re-fit and has remained there to date.
2016
Miss Wendy Yates donates the barge to the Lynher River Barge CIC. Directors Dominic and Barbara Bridgman start the restoration work again!
2017
Thanks to a Heritage Lottery award and a fantastic team of volunteers and expert boatbuilders led by Dominic Bridgman, the barge’s hull was extensively treated and reconstructed. On 7th May, Lynher was launched.
2018
After a tentative outing, it is clear that Lynher’s old Petter Lister engine is not capable to control the barge against the elements. An application for a new engine is submitted to the South East Cornwall Action Group (SELAG) in June. In September the LEADER fund is awarded to the Lynher CIC for the purchase and installation of a new engine and propeller.
2019
Lynher is again slipped out of the water to start the engine works in November 2018. A team of engineers carried out the installation of a Beta Marine 75hp Diesel engine. Lynher is launched back in the water at the end of February. The engine trials that follow surprise the crew for the control and turning ability the barge has gained. Lynher can now start operating successfully on the Plymouth waterways.
