St Columb Canal

St. Columb Canal sometimes referred to as Edyvean's Canal, was first proposed by the Cornish engineer, John Edyvean in 1773. His idea was to run a canal from Mawgan Porth through parishes inland and to return to Newquay. Its purpose was to import sea-sand, seaweed and stone for manuring to improve land. Two sections were built. One, from Trenance Point at Mawgan Porth to Whitewater, and the other from Lusty Glaze to Rialton Barton near St Columb Minor.

Work started in 1773, but it was never completed. At Lusty Glaze an inclined plane can be seen linking canal and sea. The canal was dug to Rialton at a height of 100 ft passing under the path from St. Columb Minor to Penrose. Parts are clearly visible. A section from Mawgan Porth to Whitewater was used for three years. Failed attempts were made to complete it in 1829.

Description

It was a 13 mile 'tub-boat' canal which used inclined planes instead of locks to change levels. It ran from the sea at Mawgan Porth inland to St Columb Major then back to the sea at St Columb Porth. Two lengths of 4.5 and 2 miles with inclined planes were built. Apparently it was opened between 1777 and 1779 and then closed in 1781. [cite web|url=http://newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk/articles/edyvean.shtml|author=Newquay Old Cornwall Society|title=Edyvean Canal] [ cite web|url=http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/History23.html#STCL|author=Jim Shead|title=History by Waterway from St Nicholas Bay Harbour & Caterbury Canal]

Canals in Cornwall

There were very few canals ever built in Cornwall.
According to Charles Hadfield in his book 'The Canals of South West England' (ISBN 0-7153-4176-6) the canals built in the County were as follows:
*Parnall's Canal near St Austell.
*St. Columb Canal from Mawgan Porth to St. Columb
*Liskeard & Looe Union Canal
*Par Canal from Pontsmill to Par.

ee also

*Canals of Great Britain
*History of the British canal system
*Bude Canal (also by John Edyvean)

References