User:Mjroots/Thames barge

Foo is a Thames barge which was built in 1900 for Foo and Sons. She participated in Operation Dynamo in 1940 and worked commercially until 1966. Foo was restored in 1980 and is now used as a sail training ship

Description
Foo is 90 ft long, with a beam of 22 ft and a draught of 7 ft. She is assessed at.

History
Foo was built by A. N. Other, Faversham in 1900 for Foo and Sons, Sittingbourne. She was launched on 1 December. and made her maiden voyage on 14 December The Code Letters GMJR and United Kingdom Official Number 123456 are allocated. Foo sailed mainly between Sittingbourne and Gravesend, Kent, with occasional visits to Brightlingsea, Essex when Bar was undergoing maintenance.

On 25 July 1932, Foo collided with Rival and Co's Competitor, in the Thames Estuary. Competitor sank, her three crew were rescued by Foo. In 1940, Foo took part in Operation Dynamo, rescuing 77 British and French soldiers on her first trip, 89 on her second trip and 102 on her third trip.

Foo was worked commercially until 1966, making her final voyage on 30 September. She was laid up in The Swale. In 1976, Foo and Sons decided that she would be restored in time for their centenary in 1980. Foo was restored by Expert Boat Restorers of Faversham. She was officially relaunched on 15 August 1980, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Foo and Sons. Since then, she has been used as a sail training ship, giving teenagers the chance to experience life aboard sailing vessel. She sails the Thames Estuary and southern North Sea visiting ports between Greenwich, Margate and Harwich. Foo is a regular competitor in the Thames and Medway barge races. She has won the Thames race twice and the Medway race four times.