button to main menu  Old Cumbria Gazetteer
Lancaster Canal
Lancaster and Kendal Canal
Black and White Canal
civil parish:-   Kendal (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Natland (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Helsington (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Sedgwick (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Hincaster (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Stainton (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Preston Richard (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Preston Patrick (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Beetham (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Holme (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   Burton-in-Kendal (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   canal
10Km square:-   SD59
10Km square:-   SD58
10Km square:-   SD57
county:-   Lancashire
locality type:-   canal
references:-   image
CAN001.jpg
route taken 


photograph
BZG19.jpg  Advertisement for packet boats.
(taken 6.9.2013)  courtesy of Lancaster Museums.
photograph
BZG18.jpg  Timetable for packet boats.
(taken 6.9.2013)  courtesy of Lancaster Museums.

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 38 12) 
placename:-  Lancaster and Kendal Canal
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.
OS County Series (Wmd 42 4) 
OS County Series (Wmd 42 8) 
OS County Series (Wmd 43 13) 
OS County Series (Wmd 46 12) 
OS County Series (Wmd 47 1) 

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
item:-  canal mapPlan of the Proposed Navigable Canal ... to Kendal
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Plan of the Proposed Navigable Canal ... to Kendal, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Whitworth, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1772.
image G772Map1, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1772 opp p.608 
Canal map, uncoloured engraving, Plan of the Proposed Navigable Canal ... to Kendal, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Whitworth, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1772. 
image  click to enlarge
GM17.jpg
"A Plan of the Proposed NAVIGABLE CANAL from the Leeds &Liverpool Canal near Eccleston in the County Palatine of Lancaster, to Kendal in Westmorland. Survey'd in 1772, by Robt. Whitworth."
Size: wxh, sheet = 36.5x21.5cm; wxh, map = 311x166mm; scale: 1 to 260000? 1 
item:-  Armitt Library : Gents Mag 1772.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1773
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, A General Plan of the Several Canals given in the Course of this Magazine, engraved by Thomas Bowen, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1773.
image G773Map1, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1773 opp p.221 
Canal map, uncoloured engraving, A General Plan of the Several Canals given in the Course of this Magazine, engraved by Thomas Bowen, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1773.  "A GENERAL PLAN of the several CANALS given in the Course of this Magazine"
Size: wxh, sheet = 25x21cm; wxh, map = 205x174mm. 
Detail:- 
image  click to enlarge
GM19Cm.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : Gents Mag 1773.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Whitworth 1772
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Plan of the Proposed Navigable Canal ... to Kendal, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Whitworth, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1772.
image  click to enlarge
GM17.jpg
"Plan of the Proposed NAVIGABLE CANAL from the Leeds &Liverpool Canal near Eccleston in the County Palatine of Lancaster, to Kendal in Westmorland. Suvey'd in 1772 by Robt. Whitworth."
item:-  Armitt Library : Gents Mag 1772.1
Image © see bottom of page


image
CAN003.jpg  
route of canal as shown on Whitworth 1772

evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
item:-  limestoneslatecoal
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P024, button  goto source
Page 24:-  "[1] ... In the year 1792 an act was obtained, chiefly promoted by the inhabitants of Lancaster for making a navigable canal, from Kendal, by way of Lancaster and Preston, to go through the great coal countries in the neighbourhood of Chorley and Wigan, and to join the canals in the south of Lancashire, its principal design being for the carriage of limestone and slate from the north, and to return with coals. It is carried over the river Lune by the largest aqueduct in the kingdom, which is an amazing grand object, and is seen to advantage from Lancaster bridge, about two miles off."

evidence:-   old map:- West 1784 map
placename:-  Lancaster Canal
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784.
image
Ws02SD59.jpg
image
Ws02SD58.jpg
image
Ws02SD57.jpg
image
Ws02SD56.jpg
image
Ws02SD45.jpg
image
Ws02SD55.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) 
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805.
image
CY24SD59.jpg
image
CY24SD58.jpg
image
CY24SD57.jpg
triple line, bold light bold; this map predates the enabling act of the canal, the route shown is not the route dug. 
item:-  JandMN : 129
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Rennie 1792
source data:-   Canal map, uncoloured engraving, Plan of the Proposed Lancaster Canal, scale about 1 miles to 1 inch, surveyed by John Rennie, 1791-92, engraved by William Faden, London, 1792.
image  click to enlarge
REN1Can.jpg
Plan of the Proposed Lancaster Canal, scale about 1 miles to 1 inch, surveyed by John Rennie, 1791-92, engraved by William Faden, London, 1792. 
Much of the proposed route is a contour canal, and was not used for the parts north of Tewitfield; the canal runs from near Wigan, through Preston and Lancaster, Lancashire; to Kendal, Westmorland. There is a table of distances printed lower right - Kendal to Greenhead Farm 5 miles 1 furlong 1 chain 20 links, level; to near Borwick, 9m 1f 7ch 75l, fall 65 feet; to Preston, 42m 5f 1ch 28l, level; to Clayton Green, 3m 0f 5ch 75l, rises 220 feet; to West Houghton 15m 5f 3ch 72l, level; total 75 miles 5 furlongs 9 chains 70 links. There are collateral cuts to Duxbury, and to Warton Crag; and a feeder from the River Mint near Mint Bridge to the bason at Kendal. 
Minerals are indicated at various places; Lime, Free Stone, Coal, Cannel.  "PLAN / of the proposed / Lancaster Canal / from KIRKBY KENDAL in the COUNTY of WESTMORLAND / to / WEST HOUGHTON in the COUNTY of PALATINE LANCASHIRE / Surveyed in the Years 1791 &1792 / By JOHN RENNIE, Engineer. F.R.S.E. / Engraved by W. Faden, Geogr. to the King 1792."
image  click to enlarge
REN1Can2.jpg
item:-  Kendal Museum : 0049/94T
Image © see bottom of page


image
CAN002.jpg  
route of canal as shown on Rennie 1792

evidence:-   old map:- Bailey 1797
source data:-   Map, soil etc, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 12 miles to 1 inch, by J Bailey, engraved by Neele, Strand, published by Messrs Robinson, Paternoster Row and G Nicol, Pall Mall, London, 1797.
image  click to enlarge
BY05.jpg
"canal"
item:-  Armitt Library : A680.3
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Baker 1802
source data:-   Perspective road map with sections in Lancashire, Westmorland, and Cumberland, by J Baker, London 1802.
pp.25-26:-  "... a navigable canal, lately formed from the coal countries about Chorly, and which passes hence to Kendal. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Laurie and Whittle 1806
source data:-   Road map, Completion of the Roads to the Lakes, scale about 10 miles to 1 inch, by Nathaniel Coltman? 1806, published by Robert H Laurie, 53 Fleet Street, London, 1834.
image  click to enlarge
Lw18.jpg
triple line, light bold light; canal 
item:-  private collection : 18.18
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Capper 1808
source data:-   Gazetteer, A Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom, compiled by Benjamin Pitts Capper, published by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808; published 1808-29.
image CAP126, button  goto source
"[Kendal] ... By the inland navigation this town has communication with the rivers Mersey, Dee, Ribble, Ouse, Trent, Severn, Humber, Thames, Avon, &c. extending above 500 miles through most of the inland counties. ..."
image CAP113, button  goto source
"... It [Burton-in-Kendal] has a canal navigation joining the rivers Ribble, Dee, Mersey, Humber, Severn, and Thames. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Cooper 1808
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmoreland ie Westmorland, scale about 9 miles to 1 inch, by H Cooper, 1808, published by R Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808.
image  click to enlarge
COP4.jpg
bold line; canal 
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2007.38.53
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Wallis 1810 (Wmd) 
source data:-   Road map, Westmoreland, scale about 19 miles to 1 inch, by James Wallis, 77 Berwick Street, Soho, 1810, published by W Lewis, Finch Lane, London, 1835?
image  click to enlarge
WAL5.jpg
triple line, light bold light 
item:-  JandMN : 63
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Lancaster Canal
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.
image
OT02SD59.jpg
image
OT02SD58.jpg
image
OT02SD57.jpg
image
OT02SD47.jpg
image
OT02SD46.jpg
"The Lancaster Canal"
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P092, button  goto source
Page 92:-  "... It is a sea-port upon the Lune, over which there ... about a mile further up a grand aqueduct, by which the Canal is conducted across the river."
"..."
"A quick sailing Packet Boat, for the conveyance of passengers, has lately been established, every day, between Preston and Kendal, through Lancaster."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P020, button  goto source
Page 20:-  "... [Kendal]"
"... The completion of the canal to Lancaster, in 1819, gave a powerful impulse to the building spirit of the inhabitants, which still continues to extend the limits of the town, and to improve its general appearance and accommodations."
image FD01P152, button  goto source
Page 152:-  "The trade of Lancaster is very considerable, not only at Glasson Dock, where the larger ships generally unload but also at the Canal, which is one of very great extent, and connected with many of the principal towns in the manufacturing districts. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Ford 1839 map
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, and by R Groombridge, 5 Paternoster Row, London, 3rd edn 1843.
image
FD02SD59.jpg
image
FD02SD58.jpg
image
FD02SD57.jpg
image
FD02SD56.jpg
image
FD02SD46.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 100.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
source data:-   Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s.
image
GAR2SD59.jpg
bold line 
image
GAR2SD58.jpg
image
GAR2SD57.jpg
image
GAR2SD46.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page

 Act of Parliament

observation:-  
At present, the canal ends south of Tewitfield Locks. Though some sections further north have water and may be navigable.
The canal brough coal north from Wigan, and took limestone south from Kendal; it is said that it was called the 'Black and White Canal'
"Black one way, white the other."


photograph
BZG17.jpg  Model of the fly boat Crewdson.
(taken 6.9.2013)  courtesy of Lancaster Museums.
The fly boat Crewdson was built 1829 for passenger services between Preston and Kendal. It was withdrawn 1846, and rebuilt for other work. The model was made in 1915 (LANLM:LM15.8).


: 2000: History of the Lancaster-Kendal Canal and its Associated Industries: Kendal Civic Society:: unpublished report, see Kendal Library, Local Studies WOO386.4
Curwen, John F: 1917: Lancaster Canal: TCWAAS: new series vol.17: pp.26-47 and map
Perrott, David (ed): 1985 (2nd edn): Nicholson/Ordnance Survey Guide to the Waterways, 3 North: Nicholson, Robert, Publcations &Ordnance Survey:: ISBN 0 905522 75 3
Philpotts: 1983: Building the Lancaster Canal: Blackwater Books (London):: ISBN 0 946623 00 7
Rigby, Janet: 2006 (?): Life on the Lancaster Canal: Landty Publishing (Staining, Lancashire):: ISBN 1 872895 66 2
Rigby, Janet: 2007: Lancaster Canal in Focus: Landy Publications (Staining, Lancashire):: ISBN 1 872895 72 7
Satchell, John: 2000: Kendal's Canal, History, Industry and People: Kendal Civic Society:: ISBN 0 9509869 1 7
Slater, David & Main, Martin & Clark, Jon & Blndell, Lesley: 2003 (3rd edn) &1989: Lancaster Canal Trust
Slater, David (et al): 2000 (2nd edn) &1989: Complete Guide to the Lancaster Canal: Lancaster Canal Trust:: ISBN 0 95141 46 1
Swan, Robert: 1990: Walker's Guide to the Lancaster Canal: Cicerone Press (Milnthorpe, Cumbria):: ISBN 1 85284 055 2
Wilson, Paul N: 1968: Canal Head, Kendal: TCWAAS: new series vol.68: pp.132-150

notes:-  
Various routes overlaid (not perfect accuracy).

image
CAN004.jpg  

person:-   engineer
 : Rennie, John
date:-   1791
 to 1792
period:-   18th century, late
period:-   1790s
John Rennie was approached by a group of Lancaster merchants to plan a canal to connect Lancaster, Lancashire and Kendal, Westmorland to coal fields in Lancashire, 1791; survey 1792. The enabling act was passed 10 May 1792, 32 Geo III 1792. The idea was to transport coal north, and slates and limestone south. Act of Parliament passed 25 June 1792.
'Black one way, white the other'
Wigan to Preston open 1797.

Marshall, J D &Davies-Shiel, Michael: 1977 (2nd edn): Industrial Archaeology of the Lake Counties: Moon, Michael (Beckermet, Cumbria):: ISBN 0 904131 13 0

person:-   engineer
 : Fletcher, Thomas
date:-   1813
period:-   19th century, early
period:-   1810s
the last section opened was Tewitfield to Kendal, 1819. This followed a new line surveyed by Thomas Fletcher, which involved six locks at Tewitfield, then a contour route into Kendal.
A section in the middle of the southern part was never completed.

goes through:-  
 Tewitfield Turnpike Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Tewitfield Wharf, Lancaster Canal
 Tewitfield Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Tewitfield Locks, Lancaster Canal
 Lark Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Saltermire Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Cinderbarrow Culvert, Lancaster Canal
 Yealand Road Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Moss Side Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Burton Wharf, Lancaster Canal
 Burton Road Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 New Mill Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 Braithwaites Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal
 Holme Mill Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 stone, Holme
 Sheernest Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Holme Turnpike Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Jansons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal (2)
 Warehouse Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal (7)
 Holme Park Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Nelsons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Holme North Road Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Garths Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Spinney Culvert, Lancaster Canal
 Dukes Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Farleton Basin, Lancaster Canal
 Farleton Turnpike Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Hodgsons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Thompsons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Atkinsons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Farleton Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal (5)
 Dovehouses Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Moss Side Bridge, Lancaster Canal (2)
 Seven Milestone Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 M6 Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 canal basin, Lancaster Canal
 Millness Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 canal feeder, Lancaster Canal
 Crooklands Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 canal wharf, Lancaster Canal
 Crooklands Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Wakefield's Wharf, Lancaster Canal
 Old Hall Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Mattinsons Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal (6)
 Field End Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 stop gates, Lancaster Canal
 Bridge End Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Stainton Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 Stainton Crossing Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Sellet Hall Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Wellheads Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Hincaster Tunnel, Lancaster Canal
 Howard's Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Sedgwick Hill Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Sedgwick Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal
 Horse Park Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 winding point, Lancaster Canal (8)
 Larkrigg Hall Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 mooring stone, Lancaster Canal
 Crow Park Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Natland Hall Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Natland Road Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Natland Mill Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Highgate Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Change Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Gas House Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Kendal Castle Bridge, Lancaster Canal
 Canal Head, Kendal

button to lakes menu  Lakes Guides menu.