Pre-Dutch waterway **Updated

Found on Canvey 1970

Not sure what you would call these, they are Pre-Dutch found in the area of Somnes Avenue and the roundabout when it was being built. For drainage perhaps. Any suggestions.

Dowd say’s (thanks Liam)

During excavation of the old Dutch Central Wall for the drainage improvement scheme of 1971, at 2.4 metres (6) down the original wooden sluice pipe was found, made of two elm trunks, one 3.2 metres (7) the other 6.4 metres (8) in length, halved and hollowed out with adzes and pinned together with trenails. It was about 62 centimetres (9) outside with a 41 by 28 centimetres (10) bore and a wooden one-way flap to prevent ingress by seawater. It is now on show in the grounds of the Dutch Museum.

From John Downer:

Apparently (I hope I have remembered this correctly) it was found when the roundabout at Somnes Avenue was being constructed.  In simple terms it was an underground pipe which moved water from one place to another.  Whether this was part of the crude drainage system or just a means of draining low-lying land I don’t know.  What I can say is that the timber of which it is made is extremely heavy and solid and would not have leaked very much at all.

He also thinks it is earlier than Dutch but will check it out and get back to me.

So I might not be getting it wrong.

The items have never been tested by experts so no one knows the answer.

Roman remains

Roman remains

Dutch Cottage Museum:-

Discovery of old wooden culvert under Central Wall when excavating to construct the Waterside Farm Roundabout on 14th August 1970. (See pictures from the Museum in the gallery below)

Click on pictures to see enlargements.

Comments about this page

  • Hello There is a similar item in the Dutch Cottage Museum but that is described as being part of a Dutch drainage culvert. Much more exciting if it is Roman though. Regards Sparrow

    By sparrow (06/07/2013)
  • It is the one at the Dutch Cottage and John there told me it was Roman. I have just checked with my friend who was with me and she agrees with me. I will check it out and change it off necessary.

    By Janet Penn (06/07/2013)
  • Janet I’m sure on the Canvey Cyclopedia it says they are pipes Cornelius made from elm trunks, and that they can be seen at the Dutch Cottage museum. Also I think there is a strip of pics of them being excavated in the 70s from inside the cottage.

    By Liam Heatherson (08/07/2013)
  • Definitely not from inside the cottage. I can find no mention of them in Dowds. I am waiting for John to get back to me.

    By Janet Penn (08/07/2013)
  • Oops I mean there are pictures of them inside the cottage, being excavated elsewhere (think it was when a road was being done). I’m sure this was in Dowds as I remember looking at it and using it in the script for the Canvey DVD documentary

    By Liam Heatherson (08/07/2013)

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