If you have been to see or are going to see the latest Christopher Nolan film ‘Dunkirk’ then you will have seen or be seeing ‘Xylonite’, an old Thames Barge. The film ‘Dunkirk’ is a dramatisation of the evacuation of over 330,00 Allied troops from the sandy beaches of Dunkerque in northern France. These shocking events took place between 27th May and 4th June in the summer of 1940 during World War Two.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I didn’t have any prior knowledge about the role played by any Thames barges during the Dunkirk evacuation, but as I watched the film I spotted a type of boat I thought I recognised. And, yes, I did. It was one of the old Thames barges. Currently (as I write) several very similar sister barges are moored at the Ipswich Waterfront one of which is ‘Thistle’ (top photo) recently arrived joining ‘Victor’ (featured in a previous post), ‘Thalatta’ and ‘Centaur’.
In real life, in 1940, thirty Thames barges took part in the evacuation, but only a handful of these vessels have survived into the 21st century. ‘Greta’, ‘Ena’ and ‘Pudge’ are still sailing and ‘Tollesbury’ is currently being restored whilst ‘Beatrice Maud’ is used as a houseboat.
Last month several other barges visited the Ipswich port and moored at the Neptune Quay amongst the visitors was the beautiful old, Dunkirk survivor ‘Pudge’ .
This historic sailing craft has quite a story to tell and the quote below (taken from her website) relates her WW 2 exploits.
Her working life as a cargo carrier was interrupted in spectacular fashion by the Second World War when she was requisitioned in May 1940 whilst in Tilbury, drafted to Dover and thence to Dunkirk to aid the evacuation. Three barges including Pudge were taken in tow by a tug and crossed the Channel under cover of darkness. As they reached the beaches at Dunkirk an explosion lifted Pudge out of the water and, in the words of her skipper, “she came down the right way up”. She took onboard survivors and set off for England, picking up a tow from a tug on the way, to arrive safely back at Ramsgate. Pudge is one of only four of the Dunkirk Spritsail Barges that survive. Pudge is a member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships and is entitled to fly the flag of St. George.
And, what of the film star ‘Xylonite’, well, she has recently been put up for sale and is yours for a cool £425,000 fully restored!
Postscript
Just a thought, but I wondered why none of the original Dunkirk barges ‘Pudge’ , ‘Greta’ or ‘Ena’ were chosen for the film. Perhaps it is because they all have black hulls and it is easier to see and film the khaki uniformed soldiers against the pale bluey grey hull of ‘Xylonite’. And, maybe an aesthetic choice too as naturally the whole film has its own restricted palette of muted blues, greys and sandy colours into which ‘Xylonite’ neatly fits.
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Agnes Ashe 
A timely post as I saw this film yesterday. I think you’re right about Xylonite working better in the film, though it’s a shame one of the others didn’t have the opportunity to star. But when I’m in London, one of the pleasures of being there is to see the few remaining Thames barges doing what they have always done so quietly and efficiently.
Yes, they are lovely old boats, something romantic about them isn’t there.
I was wondering how a London barge would have managed the channel crossing. Glad you explained. I haven’t seen the film yet. I still have strong memories of another film I saw years back, I’m going to take a guess that it was the 2004 documentary drama (made for TV?) – it hit me hard then. I’d hate to be sitting in a cinema comparing the two. Isn’t the restored barge delightful? Wonder if the new owners will do AirBNB? 🙂
I will be very interested to see what you think of the film. And, oh my, wouldn’t you just love a stay on that boat especially if it included a ‘full sail’ trip down the Thames too!!
Sadly The Ena is in need of some much needed tlc – her story is unique as she was beached at Dunkirk and refloated by soldiers who brought her back, much to the surprise of her owners. http://onthethames.net/2017/08/14/dunkirk-hero-ship-ena-pictured-decaying-hoo/
Thank you very much for that update. Let’s hope a wealthy and keen barge fan can save her.