bargee

A bargee is a person who lives and works on a barge, a flat-bottomed boat used for transporting goods on canals and rivers. Historically, bargees were often families who made their homes on their vessels, traveling waterways for their livelihood. Their work typically involved steering the barge, managing the cargo, and maintaining the vessel.

The life of a bargee was often characterized by hard work and a close-knit community along the waterways. They played a vital role in the transportation of bulk goods before the advent of railways and modern road networks. In some regions, particularly in the United Kingdom, the term "bargee" also carried connotations of a distinct social group with their own dialect and traditions.

With the decline of canal and river traffic for commercial purposes, the number of professional bargees has significantly decreased. However, the tradition is kept alive by a smaller community, some of whom still use barges for commercial transport, while others engage in leisure cruising or operate heritage barges. Modern bargees may also be involved in restoration projects or operate as tour guides on historic vessels, preserving the legacy of this waterway profession.