Barges on Daugava

From the 13th until mid-19th century agricultural goods like grain, linen, linseed, vax and hemp (for rigging of sailing ships) were transported downstream to the port of Riga by barges, mainly from the region around towns Polotsk and Vitebsk in Belorussia. The barges had a very simple construction with flat bottom for crossing the rapids in riverbed, a pair of sculls replacing the helm, and a tent covering the load placed inside hull. Apart from this simple outfit, the barges also had remarkable capacity transporting loads of 90 to 120 tons in one barge. Like rafts, the barges were sailed in caravans and the crew of some 30 or 40 people called trackers was set up in area of building place as well. Construction of one up to 30 meters long barge made by ten men might take a half a year. Arrival of barges to Riga in spring was the beginning of navigation and trade season on Daugava, and was welcomed by cannon salute. Maximum of barges in Riga was recorded 1653 counting 1443 barges; average amount of barges arrived in the 19th century was 1200 – 1300 barges in one season. In most cases, the barges were deconstructed after they reached Riga and used as wood building material in suburbs. Part of the trackers stayed in Riga for various seasonal works in the port or suburbs while others took their way back home by foot. The fast river full of rapids and fords as well as steep, rocky banks prevented any sailing of barges against the stream with very few exceptions. After construction of railway connection in 1861, the amount of barges arriving to Riga diminished rapidly for logistic reasons, and up to 1960s the Daugava waterway served for rafting mainly.