RIVER DON NAVIGATION

The 'River Don Navigation' was the result of early efforts to make the River Don in South Yorkshire, England navigable between Fishlake (now on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal) and Sheffield. It lost its separate identity in 1895, when it became part of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

Contents

Early History

Later Developments

Sources

External Links

Early History

Initial attempts to seek powers to make the river navigable were hampered by opposition from local landowners and disunity between the authorities in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster. Proposed Acts of Parliament in 1698, 1703 and 1722/3 were all lost.
However, in 1726 Sheffield's Company of Cutlers sought parliamentary approval to make the river navigable from Holmstile in Doncaster to Tinsley, on the edge of Sheffield. The Act of Parliament was passed on 6 May 1726 giving them powers to make cuts and to make the river deeper and wider so that boats of 20 tons could reach Tinsley. There were a number of restrictions, intended to protect existing water-powered installations.
The Corporation of Doncaster sought powers in 1727 to improve the river below Holmstile, as far as Wilsick House in Barnby Dun. The Bill passed through parliament uneventfully, and again included detailed restrictions on what could and could not be done, designed to protect the landowners.
Both acts were unusual in that they gave the bodies powers to borrow money, but did not create the companies to do the work. In October 1730, the two groups decided to amalgamate, but a 1731 Act to formalise the agreement was defeated because it also included powers to make further changes to the river, including the section below Barnby Dun. Finally an Act of 1733 created The Company of the Proprietors of the Navigation of the River Don, with powers to create a new cut from Bromley Sands above Rotherham to Ickles Dam. Work continued, and it appears that Aldwarke was the head of navigation for some years, but Rotherham was reached in 1740.
A further Bill in 1740 sought powers to improve the river from Barnby Dun to Fishlake Ferry. Despite serious opposition the Bill was passed, giving the company new powers to make the river deeper and create a cut to avoid the shallows at Stainforth and Bramwith. Work on this section started almost immediately. The southern section to Tinsley was navigable by 1751, although the wharf and warehouse had not been completed by that date, and the towpath from Rotherham was not completed until 1822.
In 1737, the navigation was leased to three of the company shareholders for 14 years, and a new 7 year lease was made in 1751. After 1758, the Company managed the navigation itself. Tolls for the next 10 years raised an average of £7006 per annum, indicating healthy traffic levels.

Later Developments

The Company bought out the Dearne and Dove Canal in 1846, the Sheffield Canal in 1848, and leased the Stainforth and Keadby Canal in 1849. They then amalgamated with the South Yorkshire, Doncaster and Goole Railway in 1850, to become the South Yorkshire Railway and River Dun Company. This in turn was leased to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1864. The Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation company was set up to purchase all of the canals owned by the MSLR, and eventually succeeded in doing so in 1895. Many of their ambitious plans were hindered by a lack of capital, although some further developments took place.

Sources

★ The Early History of the Don Navigation, Willan, Prof T S, , , Manchester University Press, 1965,

External Links

★ Details and Route

★ Photos and virtual cruise