‘ILKA’ was built as a sailing barge in 1904 in Zwartsluis, Holland, most likely carrying dry agricultural cargo and building materials. A large coastal type Tjalk Dutch barge, she was bought by the current owner in January 2010 and brought up to her berth here from Plymouth, taking 60 hours on the engine, along the south coast and up the Thames.

Previously she was berthed in the Exeter Basin while the previous owner converted her to a liveaboard – and renamed her Ilka. He had bought her in 2004, when she was used as a floating workshop in Germany and sailed her to the UK. Prior to that she was a youth sail-training vessel, ketch-rigged.