Bid to bring historic sailing barge to Norfolk

A group that wants to make the 1920s-built Cabby a permanent fixture at Wells Harbour has raised £5,000 to fund a survey. Cabby is currently at a marina in Essex.

Ian Scott, who is part of the group Cabby 2025, told the Eastern Daily Press that he is delighted the initial target towards giving the vessel a new home had been reached.

“It’s been a brilliant effort, and heartfelt appreciation goes to all who have contributed – some with large sums, some with small – to make this first step happen,” Scott says.

“It’s wonderful news at such a difficult time for so many people.”

The funds mean Cabby can be put into dry dock in May, so a full investigation can be carried out. This should give the group an idea of how practical it would be to restore the vessel. Once that is done they can start fundraising to buy Cabby, improve its condition and bring it to Wells.

The plan is to use Cabby for sailing trips, run a ‘floating café’ or use the vessel as a community, education or wedding venue.

The group’s name comes from a secondary aim of the project – to sail Cabby to France in 2025 to commemorate 85 years since the D-Day landings.

Cabby is a registered Dunkirk Little Ship, although it has not been confirmed if she made it past the offshore muster point at Ramsgate and participated in the Second World War evacuation.

In its early years the 92ft long vessel was used to transport everything from cement to straw up and around the coast from the Thames, with Cabby’s shallow draft allowing it to venture into coastal waters other deep water boats could not reach.

Image courtesy of National Historic Ships.