The Thames and Severn Canal

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Photography, Pictorials, Travel, Science & Nature, Science, History
Cover of the book The Thames and Severn Canal by Humphrey Household, Amberley Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Humphrey Household ISBN: 9781445625997
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Publication: March 15, 2009
Imprint: Amberley Publishing Language: English
Author: Humphrey Household
ISBN: 9781445625997
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Publication: March 15, 2009
Imprint: Amberley Publishing
Language: English

The canal was completed in 1789 at a cost of GBP250,000. With the Stroudwater Navigation, which had been completed in 1779, it completed a link between the River Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in the west and the River Thames in the east. Both the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames and Severn Canal are 'broad canals'. This means that boats with a 14 foot beam could use them. The Thames and Severn Canal was just under 28A miles long and had 44 locks. The branch to Cirencester added a further 1A miles. The canal's summit is 363 feet above sea level and includes the 2.1 mile long Sapperton tunnel. At the time of its completion, this tunnel was the longest in England. The canal always had problems with its water supply due to springs breaking through the clay lining of the canal bed. In summer when the springs receded, water was lost through these holes at a rate greater than the available supply. In one of the attempts to rectify this problem, the size of the locks was reduced which resulted in their unusual double headed appearance. In a further attempt to prevent water loss, King's Reach, the section immediately east of Sapperton tunnel, the canal was lined with concrete rather than puddle clay. In 1819 another canal company, the North Wilts Canal, completed a link between the Wilts and Berks Canal at Swindon and the Thames and Severn Canal at Latton. As the 19th century progressed, railway competition took much traffic from the canals. The Thames and Severn Canal was in economic difficulties by the 1890's. Much of the canal, including Sapperton Tunnel, was abandoned in 1927. A western section survived in use until 1933, and the Stroudwater Navigation was not abandoned until 1941.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The canal was completed in 1789 at a cost of GBP250,000. With the Stroudwater Navigation, which had been completed in 1779, it completed a link between the River Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in the west and the River Thames in the east. Both the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames and Severn Canal are 'broad canals'. This means that boats with a 14 foot beam could use them. The Thames and Severn Canal was just under 28A miles long and had 44 locks. The branch to Cirencester added a further 1A miles. The canal's summit is 363 feet above sea level and includes the 2.1 mile long Sapperton tunnel. At the time of its completion, this tunnel was the longest in England. The canal always had problems with its water supply due to springs breaking through the clay lining of the canal bed. In summer when the springs receded, water was lost through these holes at a rate greater than the available supply. In one of the attempts to rectify this problem, the size of the locks was reduced which resulted in their unusual double headed appearance. In a further attempt to prevent water loss, King's Reach, the section immediately east of Sapperton tunnel, the canal was lined with concrete rather than puddle clay. In 1819 another canal company, the North Wilts Canal, completed a link between the Wilts and Berks Canal at Swindon and the Thames and Severn Canal at Latton. As the 19th century progressed, railway competition took much traffic from the canals. The Thames and Severn Canal was in economic difficulties by the 1890's. Much of the canal, including Sapperton Tunnel, was abandoned in 1927. A western section survived in use until 1933, and the Stroudwater Navigation was not abandoned until 1941.

More books from Amberley Publishing

Cover of the book The British Herring Industry by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Skipton & the Dales Through Time by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Beautiful Idiots and Brilliant Lunatics by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Hunstanton & Wells-Next-the-Sea Through Time by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Manchester's Philips Park by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Richard III - The Young King To Be by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Eyewitness Accounts Shackleton's Last Voyage by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Haunted Gardens by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book North Cotswold Pubs Through Time by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Historic England: Manchester by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Madeley Through Time by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Locomotives of the North Eastern Railway by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Stanley, South Moor & Craghead Through Time by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book The Branch Lines of Somerset by Humphrey Household
Cover of the book Padstow Through Time by Humphrey Household
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy