Canals
by Roger Baker
Canal building in Cumbria has in general been limited by the difficult terrain which determined that both construction and maintenance would be uneconomic. Nevertheless, around the fringes, opportunities were taken to enjoy the reduced transport costs that canals brought with them and stimulate commercial activity in the local area. Just three canals were constructed:-
The Ulverston Canal, which opened in 1796, is only one and a half miles long from the entrance lock on the Leven Estuary to the commercial area of Canal Head beneath the town itself. It could take vessels of up to 400 tons, loading cargoes of iron ore, slate, stone and gunpowder from the town's hinterland, in what was essentially an elongated harbour.
The Lancaster Canal, which opened in 1819, is sixty-seven and a quarter miles long from Kendal south to Wigan. From there coal could be brought north and other bulk cargoes such as lime and slate transported south. The canal stimulated industrial and commercial activity at places along its route, such as coke ovens at Crooklands and warehouses at Canal Head in Kendal. Packet boats for passengers ran between Kendal and Preston.
The Carlisle Canal was built to improve facilities for coastal craft from Liverpool, Ireland and Scottish ports already trading with the city via the Solway Firth and the River Eden. Various proposals were made, but the canal that opened in 1823 was eleven and a quarter miles long. From a wooden jetty at Fidler's Cross, renamed port Carlisle, through the entrance lock and one other, the canal ran level for nearly six miles. Then followed six locks in one and a quarter miles, with a level stretch to Carlisle Basin. Packet boats and steamers ran to Liverpool from 1826. Despite plans for improvements to navigation along the estuary, and to the docks at the canal entrance, the canal succumbed to competition from the railways and suffered the ultimate fate of being drained, filled in and converted to railway use!
FEATURED SITE
FURTHER READING
The canals of North West England : Charles Hadfield & Gordon Biddle, David & Charles, 1970
Kendal's canal : John Satchell, Kendal Civic Society, 2000
The Carlisle Navigation Canal : David Ramshaw, P3 Publications, 1997