Waterways history : a suggested research agenda
This paper is an edited combination of extracts from two articles by Joseph Boughey: his paper to the First Waterways History Conference (1997) and ‘Five agendas for future research’ (1998)
Current issues: My first suggestion is that we should engage with current issues, rather than pursue the antiquarian line that only the distant past is history. Too few people seem to begin with the recent past and work backwards. Yet a significant primary source – the memories of survivors – is available, and capable of multiple interpretation.
The rise of amenity: I feel that the rise of amenity and the concomitant preservation of most of Britain’s historic canals have not been studied and debated in more than an anecdotal fashion, despite the existence of copious materials. Accounts of the revival and restoration movement have tended to be written in isolation from studies of the development of tourism, of ideas and practices about conservation,or of environmental issues.
Interpretation: One new direction should centre round interpretation of existing published materials, supplemented by further work on primary and secondary sources. There is much to follow up in what has already been published, particularly in attempts to explain what has previously only been chronicled. There are long-standing wider debates in historical studies which have scarcely been reflected in transport history. For instance, the nature of what has been termed the ‘industrial revolution’ in England, the part played by technological development in that process, the effects of industrialisation on standards of living, have barely been touched upon.
Political economy: To some, waterways and waterways history are areas free of politics, yet to me the whole field is one which has been largely shaped by power struggles, to permit waterways to be built in the first place, to sustain their development in the face of competition from other modes, and to secure their preservation. Behind these struggles have lain the forces, primarily economic, driving and constraining political activities. An example is the process whereby most British inland waterways were brought into public ownership.
The broad view: Waterway history needs to connect with more general transport history – what preceded, what followed, and what competed with waterways. Similar comments should apply to wider fields of economic and social history; there is considerable scope for the incorporation of waterways history into these fields.
Ownership: During the period before nationalisation many inland waterways were owned by private companies, run by boards of directors on behalf of shareholders. In some cases, these must have been interlinked, with individuals and families owning shares in several companies; shareholdings may have crossed into the ownership of shares in carriers and in railways. What influence did these have?
Post-construction engineers and managers: Much is known about the men involved with constructing the canals; much less attention has been paid to the engineers and managers who were involved in the completed navigations.
Waterways that have not been closely studied: Several waterways have not been the subject of enlarged studies, including the Coventry, Erewash, Neath, Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Stourbridge and Market Weighton Canals. The candidates among river navigations are greater in number, while the history of tidal rivers that have been used for navigation is often sketchy. Articles which review what is known about these, what sources could be investigated, and what remains to be explained and discussed, would be of great interest.
Canals in wartime: There are a series of files in The National Archives that deal with periods of state control during both wold wars. Themes which could be investigated include precautions against air raids and damaged caused; attempts at the diversion of traffic and craft; the deteriorating financial position; and the effects of central direction and attempts at reform.
Carrying companies: Many of the 20th century companies have been studied but many others, particularly in the 19th century, have yet to be covered. Using Canal Boat Registers and local and general directories, it should be possible to find out more. Where canal companies were involved in carrying, it should be possible for light t to be shed on costs and charges, warehousing, wages and everyday working life.