Aqueducts of the Inland Waterways: Gosden Aqueduct

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Gosden Aqueduct

Gosden Aqueduct

Wey and Arun Junction Canal

A low slung four arch brick built aqueduct, carrying the Wey and Arun Junction Canal over Cranleigh Waters.

This aqueduct was engineered by Josias Jessop (son of William) and completed 1816 as part of an inland through route between London and Portsmouth during a time of war with France. By the time the canal was complete the war was over and its main raison detre removed. It did trade profitably for 50 years or so before the railway from which this photo way taken, took over.

The north east side was partially destroyed, possibly when the railway was dismantled but its north west face remains intact.

Both photos are c/o www.canalnavigations.co.uk , which is a site offering a fabulous insight into the little known canals of southern England.

2 comments:

Richard26 July 2010 at 22:34
The spelling is Drungewick Aqueduct, not Dungewick.

There are three aqueducts on the Wey & Arun. The most southerly is Orfold also known as Lordings. This is also associated with a lock and a waterwheel.
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CJB7 May 2011 at 08:40
This link does not work:

http://www.canalnavigations.co.uk ", which is a site offering a fabulous insight into the little known canals of southern England."
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What this site is about:

Most elements of the UK's inland waterways are best appreciated from the water, either in a boat or from the towpath. However, the same can't be said of the many aqueducts without which the inland waterways system couldn't exist.

There is always something amazing about seeing a boat floating across the skyline. This was true when Brindley built the first aqueduct over the Irwell at Barton, and the thousands of tourists that flock to Pontcysyllte each year will probably say the same today.

From a boaters perspective, these impressive structures often appear as little more than an extended narrows, perhaps with a fleeting glimpse along river, road, railway or canal down below.

To see these structures in all their glory you have to leave the safety of your boat and scramble down to some pretty weird vantage points. This site provides a new perspective on these impressive memorials to the work of the canal builders over 200 years ago.

The site is being populated on an ad hoc basis, so don't expect to find an A-Z gazeteer anytime soon!

I can't claim credit for all the photos. Google Images has provided a rich seam of quality material and, where possible, I have credited the originator.

My apologies if I have got any wrong!