71-648: Upper Dart is a section of the River Dart , Dartmoor . It is perhaps the second most popular section of whitewater for kayakers and canoeists in England, particularly for experienced paddlers. This section is followed on by the Dart Loop . The section's length is approximately 4.3 miles (6.9 kilometres) in length. This section is loosely Graded at 4, but varies tremendously on rain and ground water levels. The Dart has been known to rise in minutes, changing drastically from
142-492: A defensive chain across the estuary, which was raised at dusk to destroy enemy ships attempting to attack the harbour. The flooded ria that forms the lower reaches of the Dart, with its deep water and steeply sloping valley sides, is a considerable barrier to crossing traffic. There are no bridges below Totnes . At the mouth of the river, it separates the communities of Dartmouth and Kingswear . There have been proposals to bridge
213-423: A gunpowder mill .There were explosions here in 1745, 1790, 1795, 1796, 1799 and 1833. These killed at least forty people. Edsall went bankrupt in 1778 and the mills were purchased by Messrs Pigou and Andrews . The mill was a papermill by 1840, when William Wiggins was the owner. The malt mill was not required by Spilman, and he leased it to Godfrey Box of Liège. He erected an iron rolling and slitting mill (for
284-487: A turbine which drove the millstones via a great spur wheel that was only 3 feet 3 inches (990 mm) diameter. The mill was house converted in 1971. TQ 520 621 This was the site of a fulling mill belonging to Palsters Manor. It was bought by the Passele family in the 14th century. The manor passed to Francis Sandbach in 1578 and was willed to John Polhill. He bought the fulling mill in 1602. The last mill on
355-486: A 'sailor's knowledge base' for future visits. During the period, the boat rested on a berm near the lock, accessible only at spring tides . Upon its departure, the feasibility of both creeks for access and dallying by a range of craft had been established. Pentargon was the first boat to undertake an overnight stay in the creek with crew on board since the late 1970s. To facilitate her tying up on first arrival volunteers dug away forty years of neglect and inertia to provide
426-426: A breast shot waterwheel of larger diameter. The waterwheel drove three pairs of millstones . Electricity replaced water power between the wars, and the mill last worked in 1947. The stones of the mill were said to have been caused to run backwards at one time through the mill being bewitched. The mill drove three pairs of millstones, the machinery being mostly of cast iron. The mill building survived until 1987 when
497-607: A cast iron waterwheel which drove three pairs of millstones. A steam engine provided auxiliary power. In 1894, roller milling plant was installed but milling ceased in 1905. The building was severely damaged in the Great Storm of 1987. TQ 558 714 Darenth Paper Mill was working until 1931 when it was taken over by Messrs Portals Ltd, of Laverstoke , Hampshire . In 1910, it was in the occupation of Messrs T H Saunders & Co Ltd, also at Hawley Mills and Beech and Rye Mills, High Wycombe , Buckinghamshire . The breast shot waterwheel
568-452: A chimney 230 feet (70 m) high, which is a listed building . The mill was last used as a factory and closed in 2003, with plans being put forward for conversion to housing use in 2005. The chimney dates to 1880. TQ 559 696 This corn mill was of the 19th century. The cast iron breast shot waterwheel was 10 feet (3.05 m) by 6 feet (1.83 m) carried on a 5 inches (130 mm) square axle. An unusual feature of this mill
639-467: A clean quayside and temporary mooring in the lock. This work was extended in 2016 by a volunteer lengthsman Hugh Nesbitt. who is a skilled amateur archaeologist. In February 2016, Network Rail engineers removed trees at the top of Crayford Creek, re-establishing access to the "End of Navigation". Crayford Creek is considered capable of development for masted craft unable to proceed to Dartford because of Bob Dunn Bridge. Dartford library and museum provides
710-513: A diagonal ramp at Mel Pool, where in high water makes for a huge cushion wave and the centre of difficulties when in flood. Mel Pool Steps, has a number of routes, with the a series of small slides that leads to easier water. This section also belies its name – it's closer to half a mile. A diagonal drop with cushion wave, chunky stopper, large rocks with the water funnelled between them. A chicken chute exists at certain levels. Complex rocky set of drops, complete with siphons. River left section has
781-491: A forge here. The mill was rebuilt by Henry Hall in 1820 as a paper mill. Paper from this mill was used to print The Sphere and The Tatler ; photographs of the paper making process at the mill were used in the first edition of The Children's Encyclopedia . Henry Hall was the proprietor in 1840. An illustration of the machine house c.1880 can be seen here Archived 22 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine . The mill has
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#1732859168716852-556: A laundry, and the waterwheel was removed c. 1914 to be replaced by steam power. The mill was demolished in October 1969. TQ 499 560 Chipstead Mill was a four-storey building which had been enlarged in the late 19th century. It worked until after the Second World War, but the machinery had been removed by 1950. The waterwheel was overshot and drove two pairs of French Burr millstones. A steam engine provided auxiliary power until it
923-467: A monopoly for his paper by manipulating the favour and patronage of successive monarchs. Thomas Churchyard wrote a long poem in 1588, the first description of the papermaking process. Spielman employed 600 men, mainly Germans. The mills remained in the Spilman family until 1679, then a Mr Blackman was the owner in 1686 but he was bankrupt by 1739. Messrs. Pike and Edsall purchased the mill and converted it into
994-463: A number of Latinised names for the area, Devionisso Statio and Deventiasteno may represent corrupted doublets of a Statio (Station) on a river named Derventio . Although the name Derventio is otherwise unattested for the river, it is an established etymology throughout Britain, found at the River Darent , Derwentwater , and a number of rivers named Derwent . Anna Eliza Bray recorded that
1065-507: A peppercorn rent to the Prioress of Dartford Nunnery. A wheat mill and a malt mill were released to one George Tasser in 1534. William Vaughan received them from the Crown in 1546 and the mills reverted to the Crown when he died in 1580. The two mills were granted to John Spilman (later Sir John Spilman) by the Crown in 1581. In 1588, Spilman converted the corn mill into a paper mill, and obtained
1136-410: A quiet trickle to a raging torrent. There is a gauge on the section below which gives an accurate level, however this requires you to run that section in order to see it. It is much easier to see the level at Newbridge before driving to the get in. This gauge is known as the slab, on the river left at the "put-in" for the "loop" section. The river East Dart runs through the car park, and access to
1207-476: A saw mill in its final years of operation. The mill last worked for trade in 1900. TQ 556 677 This installation was of the late 19th century. A turbine drove a generating plant to provide electricity to Franks Hall . After it ceased to be used, the turbine is said to have been installed in Westminster Mill. TQ 560 685 This was a corn mill which stood upstream of the paper mill. Henry Knight
1278-452: A slot, middle section has rocks with a high possibility of pinning. More dangerous at lower water levels, at high levels it can wash out. Newbridge is the official BCU egress point. River Dart The River Dart is a river in Devon , England, that rises high on Dartmoor and flows for 75 kilometres (47 mi) to the sea at Dartmouth . Most hydronyms in England derive from
1349-558: A small building of 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) square and had been demolished by 1955. Little is known of the machinery except that the upright shaft was wooden and of 11.5 inches (290 mm) diameter. The wooden great spur wheel was of compass arm construction. TQ 461 535 This water powered pump was driven by a cast iron high breast shot waterwheel of 16 feet (4.88 m) by 3 feet 5 inches (1.04 m). A 6 feet (1.83 m) diameter cast iron spur geared pitwheel drove two ram pumps. The pump dated from 1858 and
1420-520: A steep exit into a bedrock feature. After a long straight, the river bends river and drops over 3 wide bedrock ledges, that at low and medium flows is straight forward, and the water level increases, more significant stoppers form on each of the ledges. A series of river wide ledges and slides, with a large pool, Mel Pool, halfway down. Much easier in low water, but at high levels many stoppers are powerful and hold swimmers. Sneak routes exist, and should be used. A series of ledges from Broadledge, finish in
1491-679: A tidal estuary until it drops into the Thames at Long Reach . North of Dartford , the Darent is tidal and, just before entering the Thames, receives the waters of the River Cray at Dartford & Crayford Marshes where the rivers form administrative boundaries between Greater London and Kent , (specifically, the London Borough of Bexley and the Kentish borough of Dartford ). The Darent enters Long Reach to
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#17328591687161562-457: A version of the name, Darant was still in common usage as late as 1832. The river begins as two separate branches (the East Dart and West Dart ), which join at Dartmeet . The paths along these rivers offer very attractive walking, and there are several small waterfalls . The rivers are crossed by a number of clapper bridges , notably at the hamlet of Postbridge . After leaving the moor,
1633-467: A wealth of evidence that both creeks have been used for trade since pre-Roman times. Trade reached a modern zenith during the Industrial revolution and beyond. In 1835, almost 60,000 long tons (61,000 t) was carried in or out, servicing and supporting considerable industrial activity. Navigational factors meant that single cargoes were limited to 50 long tons (51 t) even on spring tides. A ship canal
1704-460: A wooden axle. The mill was working up to the outbreak of the First World War and demolished in the 1930s. It had two pairs of millstones . TQ 447 532 Squerryes, or Spring Shaw Mill was a corn mill with a cast iron overshot waterwheel some 9 or 10 feet (2.74 or 3.05 m) diameter and 3 feet (0.91 m) wide. The mill was marked as disused on the 1895 6" Ordnance Survey map. It was
1775-418: Is Totnes, where the river is spanned by two road bridges, a railway bridge and a footbridge over. Totnes Bridge is the nearest bridge to the sea and is a road bridge built in 1826–1828 by Charles Fowler. Some 1,000 feet (300 m) upstream is Brutus Bridge, constructed in 1982 as part of a road traffic-relief scheme and carrying the concurrent A385 and A381 roads . A further 0.5 miles (0.80 km) upstream,
1846-563: Is a Kentish tributary of the River Thames and takes the waters of the River Cray as a tributary in the tidal portion of the Darent near Crayford. ' Darenth ' is frequently found as the spelling of the river's name in older books and maps, Bartholomew's Canals and River of England being one example. Bartholomew's Gazetteer (1954) demonstrates that Darent means "clear water", a result of it springing from and running through chalk. The purity of
1917-797: Is an offshoot of the Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust. In April 2015 a narrowboat arrived in Dartford Creek, with a crew of four canal skippers, to establish the feasibility of canal-boats visiting and by extension boats from the Medway , the non-tidal Thames and various sailing clubs along the Thames estuary. This was the first time in over forty years that a registered ship lay over in Dartford Creek. Pentargon (SSR160910) returned in June 2015, familiarising more canalboat skippers, and stayed until October. Weeks of tide-waiting established
1988-494: Is being furbished and improved by volunteers of "Friends of Dartford and Crayford Creek" to permit marine traffic, such as narrowboats and leisure cruisers to sail up to Steam Crane Wharf and beyond, to overnight or stay awhile. Much mud was laid down by river and tide from 1986 when the Creek was effectively abandoned. The tops of some mudbanks are now some two metres high; while others would need only minimal adjustment to accommodate
2059-463: Is navigable only to small craft such as kayaks and canoes . Several companies operate trips on the river, including Dart Pleasure Craft Limited , who also trade as River Link and operate the passenger ferry between Dartmouth and Kingswear . These include cruises from Dartmouth to Totnes, which can be combined with journeys on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and an open-top bus between
2130-470: Is recorded as having a waterwheel 18 feet 3 inches (5.56 m) by 8 feet (2.44 m). The mill suffered two fires in the 20th century but was rebuilt. It was working until 1952 but has now been demolished. TQ 545 670 A mill has been on this site since Domesday. In the 15th century the mill was in the possession of the Roper family, Sir Anthony Roper being charged with "pulling down and allowing
2201-543: Is still a busy port for local fishing vessels and a wide variety of yachts and other private boats. Several local companies specialise in shipbuilding and repairs to small tonnage craft. Dartmouth is also the home of the Britannia Royal Naval College and as a result is routinely visited by sizeable naval ships . Smaller naval tenders are often seen carrying out training exercises in the harbour and river. Large cruise ships are occasional visitors, with
Upper Dart - Misplaced Pages Continue
2272-473: The British Canoe Union . The first significant steep rapid made up of numerous boulders. The entry is straight forward, and the twisting path makes for the first Class IV whitewater, where a long pool Eagle Flats awaits below. An island divides the flow, with a long boulder garden down the left, and easy rapids to a steeper exit on the right. Towards the end of the island, the two channels join to make
2343-603: The Brythonic language (from which the river's subsequent names ultimately derive from an original Celtic etymology. As the lower stretches of the river are still covered in ancient oak woodlands, it is accepted that the first element derives from *Dar-, meaning oak (derow , Welsh derw ). However the second element (evident in the hard consonantal termination of Dar-t ) is less certain, with postulated etymologies from Darwent / Derventio (Sacred place of Oak) or Darnant / Darant (Oak stream). The Ravenna Cosmography records
2414-500: The greensand hills south of Westerham in Kent and below Limpsfield Chart in Surrey , the Darent flows 21 miles (34 km) east then north by Otford and Shoreham , past the castle and the ruined Roman villa at Lullingstone , then by Eynsford , Farningham , Horton Kirby , South Darenth , Sutton-at-Hone , Darenth , and eventually to Dartford , whence it proceeds a final two miles as
2485-463: The Darent Valley Path to access or view the river's amenities, such as they are. This lack of attention is being addressed in the tidal section by a group of concerned locals, the "Friends of Dartford and Crayford Creeks". As of mid-2016 , a trust was being formed to promote regeneration and give formal recognition to the protection of this valuable public amenity. Currently the tidal section
2556-459: The Dart flows southwards past Buckfast Abbey and through the towns of Buckfastleigh , Dartington and Totnes . At Totnes, where there is a seventeenth-century weir (rebuilt in the 1960s), it becomes tidal , and there are no bridges below the town. A passenger ferry operates across the river from the village of Dittisham to a point adjacent to the Greenway Estate . Formerly the home of
2627-536: The crime writer Agatha Christie , this has views across the river, and the house and gardens are now owned by the National Trust and are open to the public. The entrance to the river from the sea is a rocky entrance with cliffs either side. On the East side Kingswear Castle sits very close to the water's edge, and on the west side Dartmouth Castle is built on a rocky promontory at sea level. The castles once operated
2698-531: The east of Crayford Ness. Kent County Council has signposted a 19-mile (31 km) walking route along the Darent between the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks and the Thames and named it the Darent Valley Path . The route receives no obvious attention from councils or 'focus' groups although all or part is used by joggers, cyclists, walkers, dog walkers and curious adventurers, availing themselves of
2769-546: The first bridge was constructed during the reign of Henry IV (1399–1413). That bridge survived into the 1700s. Today's river is not much more than a stream apart from in conditions of spate, a surprise given the breadth of the valley it runs through. The "proto-Darent" was much larger than today's trickle but the River Medway , through erosion of the soft chalk and clays of the North Downs /Western Weald , has captured much of
2840-528: The growing greeds of adjacent towns and even London Boroughs. Since 1989, much work has been [claimed to have been] carried out to rectify this situation, including the shutting down of a number of boreholes by the Environment Agency . This is documented in Dartford Library by Environment Agency documents lodged there. A sculpture, unveiled in 2004, celebrated the renewed life of the river, depicting
2911-417: The headwaters which once supplied the Darent. In 1989, concerned individuals realised that almost all flow through Dartford had ceased. The River Darent was later recognised officially as the 'lowest flowing' river in the country. Wildlife was decimated but the reason became apparent as soon as the problem was addressed. Increasing quantities of water were being diverted by the then Rivers Authority to supply
Upper Dart - Misplaced Pages Continue
2982-501: The largest visitor to date being the MV ; Royal Princess (30,277 GT ). Upstream, the Dart is navigable to seagoing vessels as far as the weir in Totnes . The river almost dries out for 2 miles (3.2 km) below Totnes at spring tide low water, but vessels drawing up to 3 foot (0.91 m) can proceed to Totnes from one and a half hours after low water. Above the weir, the river
3053-468: The manufacture of nails; the first in England) between 1590 and 1595, which by 1758 had two waterwheels, one working the upper roller, the other working the lower rollers and a guillotine. A company of "white paper makers" was established here in 1694 and during the 18th century the mill was owned by a Mr Quelch. Approximately TQ 548 728 The Powder Mills were in operation from c. 1730, possibly on
3124-512: The mill in Brasted in 1812; he claimed relief in January 1815. The mill ceased work in the 1920s and the machinery was removed c. 1934. TQ 489 556 This was a paper mill. In December 1822 Nicholas Tapsfield, papermaker of Sundridge was claiming relief for himself and his wife Mary. He had been apprenticed at a paper mill at East Malling . In December 1831, Thomas Green, papermaker of Sundridge
3195-575: The milling business at a mill in Bexley . Latterly the waterwheel was replaced by a turbine and the mill generated electricity. The mill burnt down when struck by lightning in 1908 and was rebuilt as a factory which made shoe laces. The factory closed down in 1991 and the mill has been demolished and the site redeveloped as housing. TQ 563 695 This mill is under the viaduct of the Chatham Main Line railway. In 1700 there were two corn mills and
3266-452: The milling trade at his mill. Stephen Cannon later bought the mill and it passed to his daughter Harriet on his death on 27 February 1856. The mill remained in the Cannon family until 1872, and the mill house until 1888. Latterly the mill had a steam engine and a tall chimney. During the First World War, a bomb hit the mill, but did not explode, although the mill was put out of action. The mill
3337-402: The movement and docking of largish craft with no impact on the nature of the river. Work parties surveyed, cleared and removed hazardous debris from the river bed to permit safe passage of all types of craft during low water. Volunteers and lengthsmen removed a number of self-seeded trees, lopped others and removed debris from the banks. The trust (termed Dartford and Crayford Restoration Trust)
3408-626: The railway bridge carries the National Rail Exeter to Plymouth line over the river. Immediately upstream of the railway bridge is a footbridge, built in 1993 to provide access to the Totnes (Riverside) terminus of the South Devon Railway . The lower section of the River Dart forms Dartmouth Harbour, a deep water natural harbour with a long history of maritime usage. In modern times, the port's commercial activity has declined, but it
3479-472: The river are: Sections of the East and West Dart above Dartmeet, as well as the Webburn are also paddled when conditions permit. This is somewhat controversial, as riparian landowners and those responsible for local fisheries maintain that the East and West Dart should not be paddled. The lower reaches of the Dart, including the estuary are suitable for flat water touring. River Darent The Darent
3550-592: The river can be made from here. The best "put in" is to walk out of the car park, over the road, and then down to the river's edge just downstream of the road bridge, just upstream from Dartmeet . The Upper Dart section has an easier run in and run out of the main section of rapids in the middle of the run. Within this middle section there are a number of features on the Upper Dart, only notable rapids are mentioned here. These are referred to in English White Water by
3621-667: The river here, but these have come to nothing. Instead the two places are linked by, in order going upstream, the Lower Ferry , Passenger Ferry and Higher Ferry . The Lower and Higher ferries both carry vehicles, the Higher one linking the A379 road . Some 2.5 miles (4.0 km) upstream of Dartmouth, the Greenway Ferry carries pedestrians across the river from the village of Dittisham to Greenway Quay. A further 5 miles (8.0 km) upstream
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#17328591687163692-491: The sea threatens to inundate the land. The barrier is managed by the Environment Agency . Dartford ( Domesday Book "Tarentefort") was a major fording place on Watling Street. Research by Woodlands Junior School indicates that the ford existed even before the Roman period. Tarentefort itself flourished through the Roman period AD50 - AD 450. A ferry controlled by a hermit was established c.1235 and survived until 1518, long after
3763-474: The site was a paper mill; it was demolished in 1936. The low breast shot waterwheel was 16 feet (4.88 m) by 8 feet (2.44 m). It drove machinery via a layshaft driven from the spur geared pitwheel. The mill was demolished in the 1930s. The paper mill had been run for over 200 years by the Wilmot family. TQ 531 648 Although it is said that this mill, which stood just downstream of Eynsford Bridge,
3834-493: The site was redeveloped. TQ 524 594 There was a watermill in Otford in 1541. The last mill on this site was a corn mill with two waterwheels. It was latterly used as a saw mill and burnt down on 7 January 1924. A picture of the mill can be seen here . The breastshot waterwheel remained in 1930. One waterwheel was of wood construction, driving three pairs of French Burr millstones and one pair of Peak millstones. The machinery
3905-436: The towns of Totnes and Paignton to create a circular trip. The harbour and port are both leisure boating locations, and several marinas and boat yards are located on the river. The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta takes place annually over three days at the end of August. The upper reaches of Dartmoor , especially those on the Dart, are a focal point for whitewater kayakers and canoeists . The best known sections of
3976-473: The water was a major factor in the development of paper and pharmaceuticals in the area. Darenth Parish (through which the river flows) derives from a Celtic phrase 'stream where oak -trees grow' (Irish: "dair" = 'oak-tree', "abha" = river) (compare e.g." Derwent "). The landscapes of the valley were painted in a visionary manner by the Victorian artist Samuel Palmer during the mid-1800s. Fed by springs from
4047-458: The watermill to decay and become uninhabited" in 1636. He was ordered to rebuild the mill within two years. The present building built by the Colyers dates to c.1780. The mill was a corn mill; the converted building survives. A curious feature is that the door on the north side of the east face is painted on, to look symmetrical with the real door. The mill was latterly worked by a turbine which drove
4118-468: The wildlife which has been saved. The River Darent powered a number of watermills . From source to mouth they are: TQ 444 537 The miller at this corn mill in 1771 was James Marchane, who was joined by his son James. James Jr died in 1805 and James Sr died c. 1812. The mill was sketched by G. Samuel in 1818. It had an overshot waterwheel . The cast iron overshot waterwheel was 12 feet (3.66 m) by 2 feet 9.5 inches (0.85 m). It
4189-419: Was 10 feet (3.05 m) wide. The millstones were only 3 feet (910 mm) diameter, suggesting that only a limited amount of flour was available. The mill was working until 1911, no auxiliary power being used. The building was house converted in the 1920s and survives today. TQ 544 661 This paper mill was founded in 1648 by Huguenot refugees. The paper mill replaced an earlier corn mill. In 1882, it
4260-444: Was a corn mill with an undershot waterwheel other evidence shows this to have been a water powered saw mill which had been erected c. 1853. It may have stood on the site of an earlier mill. TQ 540 656 This was a corn mill. It stands immediately downstream of the bridge by Eynsford ford . The low breast shot waterwheel was 8 feet (2.44 m) diameter in 1887, being replaced by one of at least 10 feet (3.05 m) diameter. It
4331-628: Was a miller in Horton who died in 1724 and Thomas Welch was a miller in Horton who died in 1734. George Cannon took the mill in the early 1830s. In 1843 he was bankrupt as a common brewer, an occupation he carried on along with the mill. Ill health forced his retirement in 1852, and the mill was bought by his brother Stephen. His son, also Stephen, was running Old Mill from 1850, then being 14 years old. Stephen Cannon (father) died in 1872 and Stephen Cannon (son) sold Westminster Mill and Old Mill in order to concentrate
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#17328591687164402-446: Was all wooden. The second waterwheel was of cast iron, driving two pairs of French Burr stones vis cast iron machinery. TQ 520 610 This was a corn mill. Originally powered by an internal breast shot waterwheel of some 14 feet (4.27 m) by 6 feet (1.83 m) driving one pair of French Burr millstones and one pair of Peak millstones. The great spur wheel was a cast iron wheel with wooden cogs. The waterwheel had been replaced by
4473-566: Was claiming relief for himself, his wife and five children. He had been apprenticed in 1804 to William Dacie at a paper mill in Bermondsey , then to a Mr Hall in St. Mary Cray when Dacie retired. In March 1832, Henry Sparks, papermaker of Sundridge was claiming relief for himself, wife Susanna and five children. He had been apprenticed to Messrs. Smith & Knight at Godalming in 1796, serving only four years. In May 1839, Henry Thomas, papermaker of Sundridge
4544-446: Was claiming relief for himself. He had been a papermaker all his working life. The internal overshot waterwheel was 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) by 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m), carried on an oak axle. Sundridge Mill produced paper for the Bank of England until its closure in 1901, business being transferred to Eynsford Paper Mill. The mill buildings were converted to
4615-629: Was demolished in September 1928. Photographs of the mill during demolition reveal the cast iron low breast shot waterwheel drove three pairs of millstones via a cast iron layshaft. The original wooden upright shaft and crown wheel were retained. TQ 552 718 A site mentioned in Domesday, the mills here were held by the manor of Bignoures and belonged to the Knights of St. John in the Middle Ages , being let at
4686-590: Was fitted in 1868, replacing a wooden wheel which may have been breast shot. In 1890, the waterwheel was adapted to drive a set of pumps to supply Westerham. An average of 25,000 imperial gallons (110,000 L) could be supplied. The milling machinery was removed in 1936 and during the Second World War a doodlebug landed nearby and blew the roof of the mill off. The derelict building stood in April 1954, but had been demolished by July 1960. TQ 449 540 This corn mill had an external cast iron overshot waterwheel carried on
4757-547: Was of cast iron with wooden floats. It was12 feet (3.66 m) by 10 feet (3.05 m). TQ 557 713 This corn mill stood at Old Mill Farm. It was built by Thomas Edmeads in the early 19th century. In 1806 the tenant millers were Stephen and George Cannon. The Cannon brothers were declared bankrupt in May 1816 but discharged their debts and returned to milling. George Cannon was again declared bankrupt in 1823. Stephen Cannon had three sons William, George and Stephen. They all learnt
4828-527: Was proposed in the early 1800s but failed to achieve momentum. In 1839 a new proposal achieved an Act of Parliament allowing development to proceed and tolls were levied from completion in 1844. The work included straightening, dredging and shortening the navigation. On Dartford Creek, close to its junction with the Thames, is the Dartford Creek Tidal Flood Barrier with two 160-tonne (160-long-ton) drop-leaf gates, which may be lowered if
4899-401: Was replaced by a 75 horsepower (56 kW) suction gas engine . Roller milling plant had been installed in the 1890s but milling ceased in the 1920s. The mill building was standing in the 1980s. TQ 513 568 This was a corn mill rebuilt by Weeks of Maidstone in 1859, it had an internal cast iron overshot waterwheel 7 feet (2.13 m) by 12 feet (3.66 m), which had probably replaced
4970-400: Was still in existence in 1980. TQ 470 552 This was a corn mill, now converted to a dwelling. The cast iron breast shot waterwheel was 13 feet (3.96 m) by 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m). In September 1812, James Weight, miller of Brasted, was claiming relief for himself, his wife and five children. A man by the name of Staples who went by the name of Chapman had leased
5041-479: Was that the pitwheel was the same diameter as the waterwheel. The mill had ceased working by 1914. The upper storeys of the mill were demolished in February 1936, leaving the brick base, waterwheel and some machinery. These had been cleared away by June 1965. TQ 563 697 South Darenth Mill was a brick building that replaced an earlier mill that burnt down in 1879. This mill was run by the Cannon family. The mill had
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