Ipswich Maritime Trust on board Sailing Barge Victor
outside Old Custom House, Common Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1BY
Sailing Barge Victor was built in Ipswich in 1895, for transporting linseed from East Coast farms to be milled in Colchester. During WW2 she carried munitions during the war from Chatham Dock, and in 1947 was one of the last sailing barges to be de-commissioned. Since then she has been a charter boat, strip club and floating office! Victor was fully restored in 2005-6 and is now available for trips on the rivers Orwell and Stour.
The Ipswich Maritime Trust (IMT), founded in 1983, works very closely with Victor, and promotes greater awareness of the long maritime history of Ipswich and the river Orwell, as well as the leisure and career opportunities available today in the maritime world.
IMT members will be on board to chat about our maritime heritage, and nearby, on Albion Wharf, our Window Museum is open 24/7, with displays and a video of life on the Waterfront over the centuries.
The Ipswich Maritime Trust's display of stunning black and white photos of the docks over the centuries can be seen in the ground floor rooms of the Old Custom House, from 10am-5pm, courtesy of ABP, the port operators, who have their headquarters here.
Celebrations of Ipswich's status as a Heritage Harbour include: book signing by Barry Girling, author of Band of Brothers, an incredible directory of all the bargement associated with the Port of Ipswich; unveiling of the new maritime heritage information board at the Old Custom House; and shanty singing by the Shefarers and the Orwellermen.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 07 September:
- 1000-1600
Location & directions
outside Old Custom House, Common Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1BY
- Directions:
- Sailing Barge Victor is moored alongside the Old Custom House, on Common Quay. Ipswich Maritime Trust's exhibition of old Ipswich is in the Old Custom House, and the Window Museum is on Albion Quay.
- Contact on day:
- Ipswich Maritime Trust
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Please note that Victor is a sailing barge, with access only via the gangplank (with the angle of steepness dictated by the tide); and down steep steps into the hold.
Additional information
Victor will be moored up alongside the Old Custom House all day, and visitors are very welcome. But please note that as the tide turns, the angle of the gangway will change, and ease of access will vary. For day trips on board Victor, see www.sbvictor.co.uk
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
