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Bridgwater docks, river and shipping The river and shipping The River Parrett is tidal as far inland as Langport, well over 20 miles from the sea, emphasising the flat nature of the surrounding landscape. Twice a day, as the tide rushes in, the river water is forced up a narrowing channel which results in a small tidal wave preceding the high tide. This twice daily tidal phenomenon is called the bore and, whilst normally only a few inches high, has been as high as ten feet. Such is the tidal nature of the river that there is a tidal rise and fall of some thirty feet. Depending on the state of the tide, ships up to 300 tonnes capacity can use the river albeit ships of 50 to 70 tonnes were the norm. Accounts from 1300 show Simon de Montacute as the owner of two galleys and a barge at Bridgwater all of which were called into service by King Edward. In 1578 a Bridgwater ship the ‘Emanuel’ joined Frobisher’s fleet in their search for the North West Passage. Through the 18th and 19th century, ship building was a common site along the banks of the river, with a ship a year being the normal rate of production. A ketch called the Irene was the last Bridgwater built ship to be launched in 1907. Across the centuries, wine and herrings, coal and timber, twine and hemp, linseed and esparto grass were imported through the town. Exported were wool and agricultural products, corn, wheat and pulses, cement, plaster of Paris, gypsum, bricks and tiles. By the mid 19th century, such was the demand that the need for a dock was recognised. Canal and dock development1841 saw the opening of the dock in Bridgwater and included amongst its infrastructure the Ware’s Warehouse which still survives today. One of the dock related problems was that of silting up, a problem overcome in part by the Dredger ‘Bertha’ designed by I. K. Brunel. He was also responsible for the telescopic bridge across the river which allowed railway traffic to cross the river whilst still permitting the passage of tall masted ships. The docks finally closed in 1969 when the local Cellophane plant converted from coal to fuel oil. These details have been provided by Roger Evans, Bridgwater’s local author and historian. |