Melissa, nearest to camera. Melissa was built in 1899 by J. G. Fay, Woolston, Southampton, as one of twenty eight sailing barges, ordered by E. J. &W Goldsmith of Grays in Essex. It took two years to complete the order with one new barge being completed every three and a half weeks. She is 80 ft long with a 20 foot beam. In 1994 a 15 year refurbishment programme began and Melissa is now sailing once again on the River Orwell. Repertor. Official No. 145404. 69 tons, built of steel at Mistley in 1924 by Horlock and owned by M. R. Horlock. Converted to motor tanker barge she was sold out of trade to G. Reeve. Houseboat at Battersea and rerigged by Charles McLaren in 1987. Now owned by David Pollock and based at Standard Quay, Faversham.