The Royal Military Canal is the story of the building and operation of this canal during the century of its active life.
It was designed to be the third line of defence against possible invasion by Napoleon and is one of only two canals in Britain to be built by the state, (the Royal Staff Corps).
Construction began in October 1804 and the work was completed in April 1809. It was built in two sections and runs for 28 miles between Seabrook near Folkestone and Cliff End near Hastings.
The Royal Military Canal covers not only the canal’s construction but also much to interest the military historian. The early days of the Royal Staff Corps are covered as are the transport services of the Royal Wagon Train.
Although the canal never saw military action there was an attempt to use it to control smuggling from Romney Marsh, however, this proved unsuccessful due in no small part to corrupt guards. The canal was finally abandoned in 1877 and is now an important environmental site.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Vine has written several books on inland waterways such as The Wey and Arun Junction Canal, Surrey Waterways, London’s Lost Route to Midhurst: The Earl of Egremont’s Navigation and London’s Lost Route to Basingstoke.
He lives in Sussex.
234 x 156 mm | paperback | 192 pages | 106 b&w illustrations
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