DORSET’S long forgotten first and only canal has been rediscovered in Upton by archaeologists.

Built 180 years ago near Lytchett Bay in upper Hamworthy by William Thompson, it was used to transport clay to Poole harbour.

Interest in the canal began when local historian Brain Gambier discovered old newspaper reports about its opening in 1841, which attracted 200-300 people. Then Alan Hawkins found it on early maps, and soon after its remains were revealed.

The canal was discovered by retired Poole archaeological officer Keith Jarvis, and former building society manager Alan Hawkins, who are carrying out a survey of Poole Harbour for Poole Maritime Trust’s harbour heritage project.

Extracts from the Dorset and Somerset Herald talk about the shipping of the first clay, which was much sought after by the Wedgewood potteries.

“There is no doubt that this speculation will prove a profitable one, as the clay has been fired and proved to be of the most excellent quality, both of the brown and white species,” said the newspaper report.

“It is decidedly the finest ever discovered in this part of the country.”

The archaeologists found that the canal survives as a muddy water-filled area about 10 metres wide, containing different vegetation to the surrounding area.

Part of the canal now lies under a housing estate in the Shore Lane area of Upton.

“The canal is later than most British canals, as most were built in the 18th century to move the heavy bulk materials needed for the industrial revolution,” said Keith.

“Many canals declined in the railway age from the 1830s onwards as goods were transferred to rail.

“This canal is also not related to another canal project in 1792-93 when a canal was proposed to link Bristol to Poole via Wareham but ran out of money and was abandoned after a small amount of work in Somerset.”

Vast profits could be made from Poole’s fine clays. However, when supplies ran out the venture closed and the building of the railway around the 1840s also helped bring about the end of the canal.