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Chichester Ship Canal
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Chichester Ship Canal.
 
 
Ships on this Page:-
  Boxer - Chichester Canal work boat
  Egremont - Chichester Canal trip boat
  Frisky - Chichester Canal Bantam Tug No.6
  Jupiter - Chichester Canal Bantam Tug No.23
  Kingfisher - Chichester Canal trip boat
  Richmond - Chichester Canal trip boat

Chichester Ship Canal Brochure Archive
  2011 General Ship Canal Brochure - opens 1.3MB PDF file
  2011 Make the Most of it! - Ship Canal Brochure - opens 1.4MB PDF file
  2011 Trips & Charges- Ship Canal Brochure - opens 1.7MB PDF file
  2011 Events- Ship Canal Brochure - opens 1.7MB PDF file
  2011 Combined File of the Brochures Above - opens 6.7MB PDF file

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  Sussex Piers - the seaside piers of Sussex
  Allchorn Pleasure Boats - Eastbourne-Beachy Head Services - suspended
  Bodiam Ferry Company - Newenden Bridge-Bodiam Castle service
  Chichester Header Page - More images of Chichester
  Chichester Ship Canal - This page
  Chichester Harbour Tours - Chichester Harbour Tours
  Littlehampton - Ferries, Excursions, Piers and Port of Littlehampton

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References:-
  London's Lost Route to the Sea by P.A.L.Vine: David & Charles, 1965, 1986 (4th Edition)
  London's Lost Route to Midhurst by P.A.L.Vine: Sutton Publishing, 1995  
  Trip Out Guides - Various Editions 1985-2015 by Geoffrey Hamer - www.trip-out.co.uk
                         Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH
 
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Chichester Ship Canal

Images are linked to larger copies


The Chichester Ship Canal was opened in 1822. It formed part of the barge route from Portsmouth to London, via the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal, River Arun Navigation, Wey & Arun Canal, River Wey Navigation and the River Thames.
 
Until the 19th Century, the carriage of most goods to and from Portsmouth and the South Coast was done by sea - land carriage being twice as expensive. Navigation of the River Thames became possible as far as Oxford in the early 1600s, followed by extensions into Surrey along the River Wey. There were plans to link the Rivers Wey and Arun through Sussex from as early as 1641, providing London with a direct link to the English channel. This avoided the sea passage around Kent, which could be treacherous due to sandbanks and storms all year, plus in times of war liable to attack from French and other privateers. In 1785, the Arun Navigation Company was founded to manage traffic on the navigable part of the river between Littlehampton on the coast and Pulborough. This was the time of "Canal Mania" elsewhere in the country, but most new canals were built as a result of the industrial revolution, to large conurbations with plentiful potential traffic. Sussex was a largely agricultural area, and the economics of building a canal were much lass favourable.
 
The straight line gap between the navigable Wey and the Arun was only 15 miles, and the war with France provided additional impetus for a new route to the south coast, although the financial crisis the war caused made various canal schemes fail in other parts of the country. In 1794, Lord Egremont (of Petworth House) completed the Rother Navigation linking Midhurst to the River Arun, with a short branch to Petworth. Construction of the Wey & Arun Canal started in 1813, and was completed in 1816. Due to the sparsely-populated, agricultural nature of the country served by the canal, traffic was not substantial, and the best hope of long term success for the Wey & Arun Canal appeared to be in becoming part of a main line to Portsmouth, of which the Chichester Canal would be a part.

Website: www.chichestercanal.org.uk



Map by Roger Sellman of the barge route from Portsmouth to London.



Construction started on the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal in 1818, and it opened in sections. The Chichester Ship Canal section opened in 1822, with engineering works which included two locks and six bridges. Whilst the canal in general was designed to accept 50 ton barges, the Chichester Ship Canal could take sea-going coasters of 100 tons through to the centre of the city.


Map by Roger Sellman of the barge route from Portsmouth to the River Arun.



The Chichester Ship Canal was 6km long from Birdham, at the seaward end, to Southgate Basin in Chichester, via Hunston. Its principal trade was coal for the local gasworks. The section from Hunston to Ford opened in 1823 (Hunston to Chichester Basin was just a branch off the main canal). However, the Hunston to Ford section was abandoned as early as 1847. The through service from Portsmouth had never carried the amount of goods that was envisaged. Chichester City Council took over its ownership in 1892 to ensure Chichester's connection to the sea remained. In 1906 the last commercial cargo of six tons of shingle was carried from Birdham to Chichester Basin. In 1928 Chichester Council abandoned the Canal. West Sussex County Council now owns the rights and ownership of the canal and they lease it to the Chichester Canal Society. Boat trips on the Egremont and Richmond are available, plus other activities such as angling, canoeing and row boat hire.


Map of the Chichester Ship Canal today.



Chichester Ship Canal 2005 brochure front.



Chichester Ship Canal 2005 brochure inside.



2005 Handbill for Richmond cruises.
Photo: © John King.



2011 Ship Canal general brochure
Each image links to a larger copy or Download PDF file
CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011   CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



2011 Ship Canal general brochure
Each image links to a larger copy or Download PDF file
CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011   CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



2011 Ship Canal Trips & Charges brochure
Each image links to a larger copy or Download PDF file
CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011   CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



2011 Ship Canal events brochure
Each image links to a larger copy or Download PDF file
CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011   CHICHESTER CANAL 2011 - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Notice board
Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
CHICHESTER CANAL - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Tugs Frisky & Jupiter, workboat Boxer and passenger boats Richmond & Egremont in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
CHICHESTER CANAL - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Saltern's Lock, Birdham
CHICHESTER CANAL - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011






Chichester Canal Vessels

Trip Boats, Tugs and Work Boats



Egremont
 
Egremont is a 12-passenger narrowboat used on the Chichester Canal. George O'Brien Wyndham (1751-1837) was the 3rd Earl of Egremont, and was involved with promotion and financing the county's canals. A steam tug used by the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal to tow barges was also called the Egremont. She began running cruises on the canal in 1992. In 2011 she ran public trips at 10:30, 12:00, 13:45 and 15:30. Egremont was replaced by Kingfisher in 2016. Egremont's fate is unknown.
 
Photograph of Egremont.
Photo: © John Cooper.



Postcard of Egremont.
Photo: © A.Bonthrone.



Narrow boat Egremont in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Egremont in later dark green
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Egremont in later dark green
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Narrow boat Egremont ashore at Chichester basin, now repainted dark green
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 16th March 2007
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 16th March 2007



Narrow boat Egremont at Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Narrow boat Egremont leaving Chichester basin on a public sailing
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Narrow boat Egremont leaving Chichester basin on a public sailing, passing Frisky
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Narrow boat Egremont leaving Chichester basin on a public sailing
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015



Narrow boat Egremont leaving Chichester basin on a public sailing
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015 EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015



Narrow boat Egremont after being replaced by Kingfisher
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 20th February 2016
EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 20th February 2016EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 20th February 2016EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 20th February 2016






Richmond
 
Richmond is a 50-passenger wide beam boat used on the Chichester Canal. She was commissioned by the Chichester Chichester Canal Trading Company in 2004, beginning cruises in 2005.


Photograph of Richmond.



Photograph of Richmond.



Richmond at Chichester basin
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st April 2006
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Egremont and Richmond in Chichester basin
Photo: Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006
RICHMOND & EGREMONT - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006



Richmond ashore at Chichester basin
Photo: Ian Boyle, 18th March 2007
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 18th March 2007



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Richmond in later dark green
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Richmond in later dark green
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Chichester Ship Canal Trust postcard of Richmond in later dark green
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Passenger boat Richmond in Chichester basin
Photo: Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011RICHMOND - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011



Passenger boat Richmond in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 24th 2015
RICHMOND - Chichester Canal - www.simplonpc.co.uk RICHMOND - Chichester Canal - www.simplonpc.co.uk





Kingfisher

Kingfisher is a new passenger boat built in 2016 to replace the Egremont.

On Monday 11 January 2016 the new Kingfisher was delivered, a new bespoke designed trip boat. Kingfisher was be delivered on the back of a large lorry from near Coventry where it was built by Colecraft, the specialist canal boat builders.

The new boat will replace Egremont, which has provided most of the popular Canal trips for many years. It is now over 40 years old and deserves an honourable retirement, although it may continue as a support boat for the Canal's volunteer maintenance work party.

At 40 feet long and 10.6 feet wide, Kingfisher is 5 feet longer and 3 feet wider than Egremont. With 2 crew, it will be able to carry 22 passengers, 10 more than its predecessor. It will also have access and facilities for disabled customers. It has cost �110,000, paid from generous grants and donations totalling �58,000 with the balance being paid from the profits of the Canal's Trading Company.



Passenger boat Kingfisher in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 20th February 2016
KINGFISHER - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c)2016 Ian BoyleKINGFISHER - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c)2016 Ian BoyleKINGFISHER - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c)2016 Ian Boyle




Passenger boat Kingfisher on one of four daily 75min cruises from Chichester Basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 4th May 2016
KINGFISHER - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: (c)2016 Ian Boyle






Jupiter - Lady Linden

Jupiter is a 23ft Bantam tug (no.23) built in 1952 and fitted with a Lister JP3 engine with electric start. She is used to propel barges to and from work sites on the canal. Although the engine was partially overhauled a few years ago, it remains difficult to start, particularly in cold weather, despite having a second battery to aid starting. The gearbox is also temperamental, but an overhaul of both engine and gearbox is planned for 2011. In 2015 Jupiter appears to have been renamed Lady Linden


Photograph of the Chichester Canal basin with Bantam tug Jupiter
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st April 2006
Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Bantam tug Jupiter at Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 18th March 2007

Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk



Bantam tug Jupiter in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 29th June 2011
JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011



Bantam tug Lady Lynden(?) ex-Jupiter at Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 18th March 2007

Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukBantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukBantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukBantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukBantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukBantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Frisky

Frisky is a 20ft Bantam tug (no.6) built in 1950, and she was fitted with a Lister JP2. This was fitted with a hand crank and was difficult to start, so she received little use. It was decided not to overhaul the engine and a new JD3 engine has been fitted.


Bantam tug Frisky in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006
Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.ukFRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011FRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011FRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011FRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011FRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011FRISKY - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo: � Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011



Bantam tug Frisky in Chichester basin
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 24th June 2015
JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011JUPITER - Bantam tug - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Photo:   Ian Boyle, 28th June 2011






Boxer

Boxer is a 28ft workboat donated to the Canal Society in 1997. The engine has been rebuilt and the hold covered over and Boxer is now the principal work boat on the canal.


Workboat Boxer in Chichester basin. The hold has subsequently been covered over
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006
BOXER - www.simplonpc.co.ukBOXER - www.simplonpc.co.ukBOXER - www.simplonpc.co.uk






Chichester Ship Canal in 2015


Images of the canal in 2015.
Photo: (c) Ian Boyle, 8th September 2006
Chichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.uk Chichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.ukChichester Canal 2015 - www.simplonpc.co.uk






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