Oysters Aboard a Sailing Legend: An Afternoon on Lady Daphne

I recently had the privilege of joining Lady Daphne, a beautifully restored 1923 Thames sailing barge owned by the brilliant team at Tiller & Wheel, for a trip out on the River Medway.

Lady Daphne isn’t just a boat; she’s a survivor, a racer, and a legend of the coastlines that shaped her.

Built in Rochester by Short Bros and launched in 1923, she was one of the fastest coasting barges in operation during the 1920s. She worked the East and South Coasts, carrying cargo under sail through every kind of weather. Her most famous tale, the “Lucky Lady Daphne” incident of 1927, saw her navigate herself through the Scilly Isles without a crew on board, earning her place in maritime folklore.

As the age of sail gave way to motor ships, Lady Daphne evolved, taking on charter and promotional work. Over the decades, she underwent major restorations of new timbers, new masts and fresh rigging.

For many years she was a familiar sight at St Katharine Docks in London, until the pandemic sent her to Cornwall, where her future became uncertain. But in 2025, she came home at last.
Now owned by Tiller & Wheel, she’s back where her story began.

There’s something indescribable about opening oysters aboard a vessel built only a few miles from where you’re sailing. As Lady Daphne moved gently along the Medway, guests gathered on deck to enjoy some of the freshest oysters we’ve ever served — perfectly chilled, opened to order, and handed across the bar with the river breeze in the background.

The combination of heritage sailing and exceptional English food is something truly special. No rush, no noise — just great company, spectacular scenery, and the hypnotic rhythm of traditional rigging at work.

The area Lady Daphne now calls home — Intra, Rochester — has been a hub of river trade since Roman times. Its Georgian buildings, cobbled streets, and historic quay are steeped in the legacy of shipwrights, sailors, and merchants.
To bring oysters aboard this barge, in a place where maritime craftsmanship has thrived for centuries, felt like participating in a living tradition.

As the flagship of the Intra Maritime Heritage project, Lady Daphne is once again doing what she was built to do: welcoming people aboard, teaching traditional seamanship, and keeping her story alive.

Working with the team at Tiller & Wheel — whose passion for maritime heritage is as deep as ours for exceptional oysters — was an incredible experience. Their commitment to preserving history while offering immersive river experiences makes Lady Daphne more than a boat; she’s a floating cultural landmark.
And serving oysters on board wasn’t just catering — it was contributing to something meaningful.

This first trip aboard Lady Daphne certainly won’t be our last. With plans for future sailings, events, and collaborations with Tiller & Wheel, there’s so much more to come — including some unforgettable oysters-and-English-wine cruises in 2026.

If you ever get the chance to step aboard Lady Daphne, take it.
And if you’re lucky, we’ll be there too — oysters in hand, ready to shuck.