The Royal Military Canal
The Royal Military Canal is unique
amongst British canals in that it was built as a defensive structure rather
than a means of transporting goods. After the French revolution and during
the Napoleonic Wars concerns were raised as how best to defend Romney
Marshes, which would have presented a landing point for the French Military.
The solution adopted was the Royal Military Canal a 19
mile canal running from near Folkestone to the River Rother near Rye: 19m
wide at the surface, 13.5m wide at the bottom and 3m deep with excavated
soiled banked on the North side to form a parapet and kinks in the canal so
soldiers could safely fire on anyone attempting to cross.
Preliminary plans were made in 1804 supported by William
Pitt and the Duke of York with John Rennie subsequently
appointed Chief Engineer, who then proposed the project was expanded to
include the River Brede making the total length 28 miles with 22.5 miles to
be dug.
The idea was sold by Wiliam Pitt to the local Landowners
as a much needed means of drainage in winter and a source of irrigation
water in Summer and proved popular enough to avoid serious obstacle.
The project was started in October 1804 and progress was
slow due to flooding a hard winter and a shortage of labour. Rennie was
sacked and the military took over the project with Lt-Col Brown in charge,
with Navvies digging the canal and the military building defences. Progress
was still slow, hampered by constant flooding, which required the constant
use of hand-pumps to clear the water until a steam engine was installed to
do the work. Progress still slow and difficult employing up to 1500 men at
the peak, but progress was made, though at the expense of halving the
proposed width of the canal.
The work was finally completed in 1809, long after threat
of invasion had actually passed and the “white elephant” consequently became
a political embarrassment.
In an attempt to recoup costs the canal was opened to
navigation and tolls were charged, though traffic was never abundant and
maintenance costs were still high. In the 1860’s it was leased to the Lords
of Romsey for 999 years for one shilling a year, with the Town of Hythe
purchasing a stretch for ornamental waters and various sections to the west
of Rye also being sold.
This remained the situation until 1935, when it was again
recognised as a useful defensive structure and requisitioned by the War
Department, acquiring “Pill Boxes” on its banks to enhance its defensive
structures.
Today the canal at least still fulfils
its drainage and irrigation
functions, while also providing space for wildlif , unpowered boats and
fishermen, though it is not connected to the national canal system.
It is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and
a Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing a pleasant walkway around
the boarders of the Marshes and a home for an abundant variety of wildlife.