In the 19th century, the ochre sails of thousands of Thames sailing barges pierced the skyline as the craft carried cargo from the Thames estuary and beyond in and out of London. View image in fullscreen Illustration: Guardian GraphicsToday, only about 30 Thames barges are still sailing, either as private homes or leisure cruisers. Both are owned by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust, a charity run entirely by volunteers, including Pearce. Sailing barges cost between £30,000 and £100,000 a year to keep afloat. The trip was provided by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust.