Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.

River Swale

Description: A tributary of the Yorkshire Ouse, which it joins at Swale Nab. This is the point where it is generally considered that the River Ure also joins the Ouse but many asserted that the Ure changes to the Ouse at Ouse Gill Beck, in which case the Swale does not join the Ouse but the Ure. The geography of the situation cannot be disputed but the nomenclature can. The river is now unnavigable.

History: An Act was passed in 1767 and another, giving the commisioners powers to issue shares, in 1770. The Swale navigation was never completed but the commissioners powers covered part of the Ouse around Linton Lock which they controlled for over a hundred years.

January 1767	John, junior Smith	He was appointed engineer.
Early January 1767	John Grundy	He gave evidence on the Bill for the navigation estimating the cost as £19,844.
January 1768	John Jackson	As resident engineer he started work on Topcliffe Lock but had problems getting workmen and with the fluctuating river levels which made delivery of materials difficult.
January 1769	John, junior Smith	He estimated that £25,000 was needed to complete the navigation in addition to the £11,400 already spent.
January 1769	John Jackson	He completed Topcliffe Lock and keels were able to reach Topcliffe bridge. Shortly after he resigned his post of engineer.

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.