Your floating hotel on the Canals and Rivers of the UK

Our guide to the waterways of the UK in detail.

The history of the River Severn.

The River Severn has always been one of the principal navigation in England. Boats were able to sail right up to Welshpool. However the navigation especially above Worcester was always difficult due to currents and shoals and the demands of water supply for milling. As boats increased in size and cargoes became heavier the navigation problems got worse. By the 18th century Bewdley was the upper limit while sandbanks and silting was making the river difficult near Gloucester. In 1793 the Gloucester and Sharpness canal was authorised, this would solve the problems of the lower Severn, however it took until 1827 to complete.

As canals were opened leading into the river so they helped bring trade to the river. The Staff and Worcs in 1770, the Thames and Severn in 1789, the Worcester and Birmingham in 1815. Throughout the times of the canal the river had no one controlling authority. The Staff and Worcs canal, needing traffic from the Severn was always very active in encouraging any improvements from Stourport to Gloucester.

A number of attempts to get authority for improvements were made from the early 18th century on but without any success. In 1804 it was agreed to create a horse towing pathway. This was completed up to Digglis, but even this had opponents.

Finally in 1842 the Severn Commissioners were set up to improve the river from Worcester to Stourport. The Staff and Wocrs canal company guaranteed the £180,000 this would take. Four locks were built, between Stourport and Diglis. At Lincombe 1843, Holt Fleet 1844, Bevere 1845 and two locks at Digglis 1845. The river was then to be dredged to 6 foot from Digglis down, when this was found to be impossible despite great opposition a lock and weir were constructed at Tewkesbury in 1858. Then in 1868 permission was given to build weirs and locks on both parts of the river at Gloucester.

In 1881 the river was 6 to 9 foot deep throughout. Tugs towed up to 12 boats at once on it. It carried 323,000 tons that year. But had declined to 120,000 in 1927. Then in the late 1940's dredging and the easing of bends allowed 400 ton craft to reach Worcester and a new quay were built at Diglis to accommodate petrol tankers. But later traffic fell, in 1967 it was only just over 100,000 tons, and had virtually totally ceased by 2000.

Sources.

Nicholson Guides to the Waterways.

Working Boat, Midland Canal Carriers. 1770 - 1845. By Ray Shill, Published by Heartland Press 2002. ISBN 0 9517755 2 9

Some pictures of this river?

Stourport to Worcester / Worcester to Tewkesbury

General information on the river.

Find our information about other canals and rivers on the canal index page.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk