MBT Dumb Wooden Rhine Barge (19th century) - Construction Drawing Scale 1 : 75 (10.05.005)

A dumb wooden Rhine barge refers to a specific type of traditional inland vessel that was used on the Rhine and other European rivers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels were essential for transporting goods such as sand, peat, and manure.

What is a Rhine barge?

A Rhine barge is a flat-bottomed vessel with a rounded bow and stern, designed for towing on rivers. They had no self-propulsion and were towed in long lines by tugboats. The term "overboordig" indicates that these vessels had no engine of their own and were entirely dependent on towing services.

Construction and Use

Rhine barges were originally built entirely of wood, with a flat bottom and a large loading capacity. Over the years, they grew larger, with some examples reaching up to 64.5 metres in length and having a carrying capacity of 913 tonnes.

Life on board was simple. The skipper and his family often lived on the ship, which had no electricity. The absence of an engine meant there were no constant noises, but also that the ship could not sail independently. External assistance was always required for mooring or manoeuvring.

Transition to Motorised Vessels

With the advent of the marine diesel engine in the 1930s to 1950s, ships could sail independently, marking the end for the classic Rhine barge. This transition brought significant changes to the work and lives of inland skippers.

Heritage and Preservation

Although the traditional wooden Rhine barge has largely disappeared, there are still initiatives to preserve this sailing heritage. For example, the Stichting Stamboek Ronde en Platbodemjachten (SSRP) (Round and Flat-bottomed Yacht Register Foundation) is involved in documenting and preserving these types of vessels.

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