This classic Thames Sailing Barge was built in 1922 in Sittingbourne by Messers. Willis & Packham for the celebrated Horlock family. She achieved racing success in the Thames matches during the 1930’s and took first place over a number of years.

On 6th June 1940 an English Bomber crash landed upon her resulting in the loss of her rigging and fire damage to part of her deck. She was then consigned to ammunition duty for the rest of the war. After the war, she was converted to a motor barge and it wasn't until 1973 that Albert Groom returned her to her former sailing glory. 

At 84.1 feet long and with a 20 foot beam the SB Phoenician, moored in St Katherine's Dock in London, was refitted to the highest standards during the 1990's to provide the most superior facilities available in its class, for both racing and entertaining. 

Sadly due to a racing accident she had to return to Maldon for repair work to be carried out, but suffered further bad damage in the freezing conditions and heavy snow of 2010.

Currently she is still undergoing major deck refurbishment but we hope she will be moored back at St Katherine's Dock shortly, having been returned to her former glory and fully functional for private and corporate entertaining.

We will announce her return on this site, so if you are interested in hiring our beautiful, newly refurbished Thames Barge as a fabulously unique entertainment venue in London, please keep checking here.