David Gowing, himself a keen sailor, conceived, wrote, directed and edited this film, a documentary about the Thames sailing barges and the tough life of the Essex bargemen who worked in and out of London and up the east coast. Narrated by the English stage and screen actor, Michael Hordern, and featuring interviews with the skippers of these magnificent barges, including with the grand old man of the racing barges, Chubb Horlock of Mistley in Essex.