Carrying on the River Arun

Last Traffic: NarrowBoat, Spring 2024

Christopher M Jones

Chris M. Jones studies two images that illustrate the final decades of traffic on the River Arun

Arundel The above photo was taken just upriver of Arundel and shows its famous castle in the distance. A loaded barge is seen approaching from the east and demonstrates how these sprit-rigged craft worked under sail, and also using a long shaft to steer the vessel away from the shallows. The massive rudder blade helped keep a purchase on the ebb tide and the spritsail may give the greater speed necessary to maintain steerage on running water. These barges had open holds as the usual cargoes could be transported exposed to the weather.…