A bit of history [2]

In the second half of the nineteenth century, most new trade was carried by railways that could out-compete the canal companies. At that time a number of canal companies were taken over by railway companies. If you travel by train from London to Chatham in Kent you will pass through Strood tunnel that was once a canal tunnel.

 

Initially the boats were crewed by men and their families lived in cottages on the bank. The practice of all male crews continued until after the First World War. Wives and children came aboard as extra labour and to save rental costs during the latter part of the 19th century. About this time boat decoration of "Roses and Castles" began to appear, and whole families started to live aboard the boats.

 

Here we are moored up in a lovely tree lined part of the canal. Over those trees on the right is Gospall Park. That’s the location of the house where Handel is reputed to have composed the ‘Messiah’, but it was pulled down in 1951.

 

Done