Bargee Collection

British Barge-master of the Great Ouse at Huntingdon. Date: circa 1920s

Namur, 1890. Creator: Unknown
Namur, 1890. The Citadel of Namur on the confluence of Sambre and Meuse rivers was a disputed territory between Spain, France, England

Horse drawn barge on a canal, Victorian period

Canal narrow boat early 1900s

A working canal narrow boat

Burnley Manchester Road Canal Wharf Victorian period

Barton Aqueduct over the Manchester Ship Canal Victorian period Date: 19th century

St. Paul's Cathedral and Thames Barges London Victorian period Date: 19th century

Canal barge at Stanley Ferry Date: circa 1900s

Leeds and Liverpool Canal horse drawn barge early 1900s Date: circa 1900s

Stanley Ferry The Canal early 1900s Date: circa 1900s

Leeds and Liverpool Canal Steam Barge early 1900s Date: circa 1900s

Working narrow boat at Colwich, early 1900s

Runcorn The Canal Top Lock early 1900s

Stony Stratford The Canal Cosgrave Locks early 1900s

Brighouse River Calder barge early 1900s

Barge, River Calder, Brighouse

Hexthorpe Flatts near Doncaster Canal Barge early 1900s

Shropshire Union Canal early 1900s

Selby Canal Barge early 1900s

The Canal, Thorne early 1900s

Brighouse Canal Lock early 1900s

Huddersfield The Canal early 1900s

Workers on the "Silent Highway", 1877. Creator: John Thomson
Workers on the " Silent Highway", 1877. A work made of woodburytype, from the album " street life in london"

Workers on the "Silent Highway", 1881. Creator: John Thomson
Workers on the " Silent Highway", 1881. A work made of woodburytype, plate 8 in the book " street incidents" (1881)

Bargee and his mates playing dominoes in the hold of a barge on a London canal (b / w photo)
3637638 Bargee and his mates playing dominoes in the hold of a barge on a London canal (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Marigold Family on a Party of Pleasure, or effect of a Storm in the little Bay of
3085940 The Marigold Family on a Party of Pleasure, or effect of a Storm in the little Bay of Biscay, from The English Spy, pub

An old Baikal boatman took command of the raft, illustration from
CHT213202 An old Baikal boatman took command of the raft, illustration from Michel Strogoff by Jules Verne (1828-1905) engraved by Charles Barbant (d.1922) Paris

A horse ready to pull a canal barge, London (sepia photo)
STC347591 A horse ready to pull a canal barge, London (sepia photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Horse towing a barge on a canal (b / w photo)
3637639 Horse towing a barge on a canal (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Horse towing a barge on a canal)

Barge being towed on a canal by three women, c. 1900 (b / w photo)
CHT199626 Barge being towed on a canal by three women, c.1900 (b/w photo) by French School, (20th century); Archives de l Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees, Paris; eArchives Charmet; French

Bargeman, Gloucester docks
A male bargee leans on the wooden tiller of a canal narrow boat berthed in Gloucester Docks Date: 1990

The Bargee, 1920. Artist: CRW Nevinson
The Bargee, 1920. From Londoners Then and Now As Pictured By Their Contemporaries, edited by Geoffrey Holme. [The Studio Ltd. London, 1920]

EDWARD VII in 1873
EDWARD VII, BRITISH ROYALTY as PRINCE OF WALES wearing a bargee hat, with hands in pockets Date: 1841 - 1910

London Fogbound
A bargee sitting on the stern of his barge waiting for the London fog to lift before he can start work. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Young Chinese Girl - Barge Girl (probably from Hong Kong) Date: 1904

Bargeman eating a sandwich
A bargeman eating a large sandwich, four slices thick!

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"Bargee: Navigating the Waterways of British History" Step back in time to the Victorian era, where the Great Ouse at Huntingdon was ruled by the skilled barge-masters known as "bargees. " These masters of the waterways commanded horse-drawn barges, gracefully gliding along canals that were bustling with activity. Picture yourself on a narrow boat in the early 1900s, witnessing a working canal barge making its way through Burnley Manchester Road Canal Wharf. The scene is reminiscent of a bygone era, filled with charm and industriousness. Marvel at the architectural wonder that is Barton Aqueduct over the Manchester Ship Canal. This engineering marvel allowed both ships and Thames barges to coexist harmoniously, showcasing Britain's prowess in infrastructure development. In London, St. Paul's Cathedral stands tall against a backdrop of majestic Thames barges. These iconic vessels were an integral part of London's history and played a vital role in transporting goods along the river. Travel further north to Stanley Ferry and witness a canal barge navigating its way through this historic location. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal comes alive as horse-drawn barges from early 1900s glide effortlessly across its waters. Experience Colwich's working narrow boat scene from yesteryears; steam-powered barges dominate these waterways during this period. Witnessing their sheer power and efficiency leaves one awestruck at how technology transformed transportation on canals. The bargee profession holds an important place in British history - they were not only skilled navigators but also custodians of our heritage waterways. Their dedication ensured goods reached their destinations efficiently while preserving our rich cultural legacy. So next time you stroll alongside a peaceful canal or admire grand aqueducts spanning rivers, take a moment to appreciate those hardworking individuals who made it all possible -the bargees who shaped Britain's waterways and left an indelible mark on our history.