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“Plan of the River Nith from Dumfries to Glencaple Quay and Glenhowen Point”, 1811.

Period:
19th Century
Description:

By 1810 navigation in the Nith had become almost impossible above Kelton except at the highest tides.

 

James Hollingsworth, a civil engineer, undertook a survey of the Nith, and drew up a plan for improvements in the course of the river.  An Act of Parliament passed in 1811 appointed a Nith Navigation Commission to make the improvements, and the Town Council passed over the running of the port to the commissioners.  After the improvements ships could off-load their cargoes at the Whitesands, and Dumfries became a major port.

 

This plan shows how the River Nith was improved for shipping by the work undertaken by the Nith Navigation Commission.

Materials/Media:
paper
Source:
Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura
Accession number:
DUMFM:1965.793
Digital Number:
DMMP001n
Creation Date:
1811
Copyright:
Dumfries & Galloway Council