A map of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
The map displays a range of services available on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Simply click the box next to any service being displayed in the Map Key on the left of your screen.
Map Key
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
A brief history of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
| Canal length : | 16.3 miles |
| Locks : | 2 |
| Width : | 86ft 6ins |
| Draught : | 18ft ins |
The Gloucester & Sharpness canal runs from Sharpness which is on the tidal reaches of the River Severn, to Gloucester where it joins the Severn Navigation Canal. The route provides a constantly navigable connection between Gloucester and the upper navigable section of the River Severn, avoiding areas such as the dangerous bend near Arlingham.
The canal was originally renowned as being the broadest and deepest canal in the world.
The original paln was concieved in the late 18th century, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1793 authorising the raising of £200k. However the project soon ran into financial difficulties. The project vertually stopped for almost 20 years but was restarted in 1817 and finally completed in 1827. The final cost of the canal was £440k. The canal was 26m wide, 5.5m deep allowing ships of up to 600 tons to navigaite the canal.
For more detailed information, follow the links below: