[2] She was built small enough to pass under the low bridges of the River Lea and Bow Creek in London and was originally tiller steered and stumpy rigged, without top mast or topsail.

[2][3][4] The bottom was built of pine (doubled up) and the sides of oak and elm with copper fastenings and brass knees.

[5] Along with her earlier sister King Edward VII, she replaced older barges engaged in the carriage of explosives from the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills to Woolwich Arsenal.

[6] The Waltham Abbey vessels had a crew consisting of a master and three men, who wore blue serge uniforms with brass buttons, provided free of charge.

[2][7] After the end of World War II she was withdrawn from service and sold in 1946 by the Small Craft Disposal Board.

[5] In 1946, Lady of the Lea was sold to William Aslett and moored in the Milton Creek at Crown Quay in Sittingbourne.