Hampshire Waterways

Background

For details of the tidal Portsbridge Creek see its own page.

The Portsea Canal section was connected to the rest of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal via a series of tidal channels, parts of which were dredged, through Chichester Harbour, past the southern side of Thorney Island and to the north of Hayling Island, and finally across Langstone Harbour. To ease passage between the Chichester and the Portsea sections a steam vessel, the ‘Egremont’, was built to tow 40-ton barges in trains of six.

Prior to dredging the new channel north of Hayling Island, the island had been connected to the mainland by an ancient, hard-surfaced “Wadeway” whereby pedestrians and wagons could travel between the two at low water. The New Cut, dredged at least 3ft 6in (1.07m) deep at low water, severed this route. The canal company was authorised by Act of Parliament to cut through the Wadeway but had to provide a bridge as a replacement. However, the company was only intending to bridge the gap dredged through the Wadeway leaving the approaches unaltered and still subject to the tide. A group of gentlemen raised £10,000 and obtained the Hayling Island Bridge Act in 1823 and as result a wooden toll bridge with an opening span was opened in 1824. This was officially known as Hayling Bridge or occasionally as Langstone Bridge.

When the railway line from Havant to the island (affectionately known the Hayling Billy) was opened in 1867, the wooden Langstone Viaduct also had an opening span. The road bridge was replaced in 1956 by a concrete bridge with no opening span and the old road bridge was demolished, starting the day after the new bridge was opened. The new bridge is usually called Langstone Bridge. Tolls were levied on the new bridge until April 1960. The railway was closed in 1963 and the viaduct was demolished in 1966.

Thorney Island was connected to the mainland by a similar wadeway. Originally it was intended to dredge a channel to the north of the island but it was decided to avoid the expense of a bridge as a route south of the island was possible without taking to the open sea. However, the navigable route south of the island avoiding shallows would have taken barges close to the entrance to the Harbour with its strong tidal flows. Today, much of the tidal area between Thorney Island and the mainland has been reclaimed.

The distances for the "Tidal Channels" quoted on the distance table page have been carefully measured using Google Earth but cannot be considered as definitive. The actual distances that would have been covered 200 years ago by the barge tows might well differ from today's measurements as channels have doubtlessly shifted. The state of the tide and local knowledge would also have had a part to play.

Chichester Harbour

Salterns Lock and canal

In this view of the western end of the Ship Canal, to the left and on the canal are various landing craft still remaining from WW2.

Image date: 27 May 1947.
Approx NG Ref: SU824012.
Approx WGS84: 50° 48′ 16″ N, 0° 49′ 49″ W.
(58.9KB)

Salterns Lock from the air

This aerial view shows the entrance to the Chichester Ship Canal from the seaward side.

Image date: Jul 2018.
NG Ref: SU719048.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 15″ N, 0° 49′ 44″ W.
(90.8KB)

Chichester Marina from the air

This view shows Chichester Marina from the north east. The canal runs from the left-hand side of the picture along the farther side of the marina.

Image date: Unknown.
Approx NG Ref: SU835013.
Approx WGS84: 50° 48′ 21″ N, 0° 48′ 57″ W.
(102.5KB)

Birdham Pool Marina from above

Birdham Pool Marina seen from the south-east. The former tidal mill’s buildings lie just beyond the marina’s entrance lock. Salterns Lock is just off the picture on the right.

Image date: Not known.
Approx NG Ref: SU825010.
Approx WGS84: 50° 48′ 12″ N, 0° 49′ 48″ W.
(75.1KB)

Harbour Office, West Itchenor

The Harbour Office and the main jetty at West Itchenor seen from the Chichester Channel.

Image date: 30 Jun 2013.
NG Ref: SU799016.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 31″ N, 0° 51′ 58″ W.
(69.6KB)

Mudflats in Chichester Harbour

A northward view across the Chichester Channel from a point just west of the village of West Itchenor.

Image date: 22 Aug 2023.
NG Ref: SU793014.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 27″ N, 0° 52′ 31″ W.
(66.8KB)

Near Chichester Harbour entrance

A boat in Chichester Harbour seen from near the north end of East Head looking north-east. In the far distance is St Roche’s Hill.

Image date: 20 Sep 2019.
NG Ref: SZ765993.
WGS84: 50° 47′ 21″ N, 0° 54′ 54″ W.
(41.1KB)

Chichester Harbour to Langstone Harbour

The tidal channels

In this view, West and East Wittering are on the 'mainland' below, with West Itchenor towards lower right. In order up the picture are:- Thorney Island, Hayling Island, Portsea Island and the Gosport peninsula, with The Solent and Isle of Wight on the left.

Image date: 4 May 2016.
Approx NG Ref: SU905029.
Approx WGS84: 50° 49′ 09″ N, 0° 42′ 57″ W.
(41.1KB)

Map: Thorney Island

This extract from a very early and much worn OS surveyor’s drawing originally at 3 inches to 1 mile and dating from 1797.

Mapping date: 1797.
Approx map centre - NG Ref: SU758032.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 27″ N, 0° 55′ 32″ W.
(81.6KB)

Great Deep

Looking east, Great Deep separates Thorney Island from the mainland on the left. Once very much wider and tidal, the original plans were to dredge a navigable channel along this deep.

Image date: 6 Dec 2023.
NG Ref: SU742038.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 45″ N, 0° 56′ 52″ W.
(64.3KB)

Sweare Deep

An aerial view looking north-west along Sweare Deep with Hayling Island on the left. Beyond Duckard Point Marina, Langstone Bridge can just be made out 1.3 miles (2.2km) away.

Image date: 6 Dec 2023.
NG Ref: SU741038.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 45″ N, 0° 56′ 52″ W.
(40.3KB)

Map: Hayling Bridge

This extract from the OS Six Inch (1:10560) map, shows the 1824 toll bridge and the Wadeway (Causeway) linking the island with the mainland.

Mapping dates: surveyed in 1859 to 1866 and published in 1870.
Approx map centre - NG Ref: SU721045.
WGS84: 50° 50′ 08″ N, 0° 58′ 35″ W.
(76.7KB)

The Wadeway, Langstone

The Wadeway leading across the mudflats from Langstone towards Hayling Island.

Image date: Apr 2020.
NG Ref: SU719048.
WGS84: 50° 50′ 19″ N, 0° 58′ 47″ W.
(49.5KB)

The Wadeway looking north-west

Near low water, this image shows part of the Wadeway as it approaches the village of Langstone.

Image date: Before 2019.
Approx NG Ref: SU722046.
Approx WGS84: 50° 50′ 12″ N, 0° 58′ 33″ W.
(50.2KB)

The wooden Hayling Bridge

This is the bridge that opened in 1824, seen here looking north.

Image date: Before 1955.
Approx NG Ref: SU720042.
Approx WGS84: 50° 50′ 00″ N, 0° 58′ 41″ W.
(48.9KB)

Langstone Bridge

Opening day of the new Langstone Bridge. A procession of vintage cars passes over the old Langstone Bridge for the last time.

Image date: 10 Sep 1956.
Approx NG Ref: SU720042.
Approx WGS84: 50° 49′ 59″ N, 0° 58′ 41″ W.
(67.4KB)

Road bridges and Wadeway

This aerial view shows both of the road bridges with the older one being dismantled: the swing section and the deck southwards removed. Near the top of the picture the dredged gap in the Wadeway is clearly visible at low tide.

Image date: 1956/7.
Approx NG Ref: SU718043.
Approx WGS84: 50° 50′ 04″ N, 0° 58′ 53″ W.
(36.9KB)

Langstone Harbour

Dismantling the old bridge

Seen from the new road bridge, workmen are removing the swinging section of the old bridge - the brick turret upon which it rotated is visible.

Image date: 1956/7.
NG Ref: SU720043.
WGS84: 50° 50′ 03″ N, 0° 58′ 42″ W.
(28.0KB)

Railway swing bridge

This photograph shows the swinging span of the railway bridge seen from water level in its closed position.

Image date: Unknown.
NG Ref: SU718042.
WGS84: 50° 50′ 01″ N, 0° 58′ 52″ W.
(37.4KB)

Railway swing bridge

This postcard shows, from the south, the railway swing bridge open with a sailing vessel passing through. The boat is probably ‘Langstone’ owned by Littles of Langstone used mainly for carrying gravel.

Image date: Before 1939.
NG Ref: SU718042.
WGS84: 50° 50′ 00″ N, 0° 58′ 53″ W.
(40.1KB)

End of the Hayling Billy

The Hayling Billy crossing the opening section of the Langstone Viaduct for the last time in 1963.

Image date: 3 Nov 1963.
Approx NG Ref: SU720042.
Approx WGS84: 50° 49′ 59″ N, 0° 58′ 40″ W.
(59.5KB)

Remains of the railway bridge

This view from the Hayling Island end shows the remains of the railway bridge.

Image date: 20 Jul 2021.
NG Ref: SU718041.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 55″ N, 0° 58′ 54″ W.
(82.3KB)

Langstone Harbour

An aerial view looking south from over Farlington at Langstone Harbour at high tide. In the distance on the left is Hayling Island, whilst Portsea Island lies on the right.

Image date: 5 Mar 2023.
NG Ref: SU686062.
WGS84: 50° 51′ 07″ N, 1° 01′ 33″ W.
(40.3KB)

Boats in Langstone Harbour

It is near high tide in this northward view of the harbour from the westernmost point of Hayling Island. The nearest boat is the ferry linking the island with Portsmouth.

Image date: 6 Jun 2010.
NG Ref: SU687000.
WGS84: 50° 47′ 45″ N, 1° 01′ 32″ W.
(35.5KB)

Langstone Harbour

An aerial view looking north-east from near the Sea Lock at Milton around low tide.

Image date: 2 Nov 2021.
NG Ref: SU679001.
WGS84: 50° 47′ 45″ N, 1° 02′ 13″ W.
(40.3KB)

Approach to Sea Lock, Milton

An aerial view looking south at the approach to the Sea Lock at Milton on the right.

Image date: 2 Nov 2021.
NG Ref: SU679001.
WGS84: 50° 47′ 48″ N, 1° 02′ 15″ W.
(56.1KB)

Langstone Harbour

The tide is out in Langstone Harbour in this view from the tail of Sea Lock at Milton, entrance to the Portsea Canal. The dredged channel from the lock has long silted up.

Image date: 25 Sep 2023.
NG Ref: SZ678999.
WGS84: 50° 47′ 41″ N, 1° 02′ 19″ W.
(68.4KB)