Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Disused canal from chalk pit/cement works to Cliffe Creek, connecting a chalk quarry to the Thames. Earthworks of this canal survive. It was built before 1843 to take chalk from a pit to a whitening works at the head of Creek (see TQ 77 NW 125). Later used by Johnson`s Cement Works (see TQ 77 NW 123). A later tramway used by the cement works probably ran on a track to the north of the canal (see TQ 77 NW 124).

Monument Types

• CANAL (Post Medieval - 1843 AD to 1843 AD (pre))

Full description

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Earthwork remains of disused canal running alongside track from chalk pit (TQ 7263 7635, site of former basin) to Cliffe Creek (TQ 7147 7693). Built before 1843 to take chalk from pit to whitening works at head of Creek (TQ 77 NW 125). Later probably used by Johnson`s Cement Works (TQ 77 NW 123). No trace of basin at E end and later quayside completely covers evidence of lock at W end.
Subsequent tramway(TQ 77 NW 124) used by cement works probably ran on present track on N side of canal. (1,2).

Additional reference (3),

Site photographs (4-14).

Additional inormation (15 and 16).

Ther is evidence of the canal being in use by at least 1818 when a document in the Dean and Chapter of Rochestwer Cathedral records[DRC LA3/57] states that there were no lime kilns at Cliffe, but chalk was conveyed on the canal in horse drawn punts to be used for whiting, or to be loaded onto barges for use in agriculture, in blocks for use in sea walls, or for lime burning elsewhere. The canal was utilised by Johnson until the tramway to his Creek works was constructed.
The line of the canal is now overgrown and barely visible as a slight indentation for most of its length.9170

Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE13236.

Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). Ske13236.

<1> Barnes, B. and Innes, B., 1984, A nineteenth Century Cement Works at Cliffe (Article in serial). SWX7719.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Site visit by DC Eve April 1996 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<3> Eve, D., 1999, A guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Kent, I10 (Monograph). SWX9293.

<4> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9425.

<5> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9426.

<6> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9448.

<7> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9449.

<8> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9775.

<9> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9776.

<10> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9777.

<11> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9857.

<12> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9858.

<13> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9864.

<14> 1941, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10110.

<15> Eve, David., 1999, The Cement Industry in Kent: Results of a Sites and Monuments Record Enhancement Project 1996 - 98 (Unpublished document). SKE12011.

<16> English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme, 2001, Lime, Cement and Plaster Industries Step 4 Report (Unpublished document). SKE12174.

Sources and further reading

Related records