The Rudder from the georgina Barge

Large barges were used to transport heavy guns and equipment down the River Thames from Woolwich to Shoeburyness so that they could be tested and demonstrated. This was the only method available before the railway line was extended from Southend to Shoeburyness in 1884.

“Repository” was the skill of moving and storing heavy guns and equipment. Behind the quarters used for the Officers Long Gunnery Course on the Shoebury Garrison, there was a Repository training ground, including a training berth for barges.

The Georgina barge was a vessel in the training berth which allowed gunners and engineers to practice their loading and unloading skills.