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1910 saw the last
commercial barge to leave for Basingstoke, with the last timber carrying barge
leaving Crookham Wharf in 1920.
The canal began to fall into a state of
disrepair, and by the mid 1950's was considered un-navigable.
During
World War II, a line of anti-tank emplacements was constructed across Southern
England during 1940, from Sheerness to Bristol, as a second line of defence to disrupt the advance of the German Army,
should they have invaded as
expected.
The Basingstoke Canal
was to be used as a physical
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barrier to delay such an advance. With
"Pillbox" defences in place along it's banks, and the 'Dragon
Teeth' emplacements crossing the canal, the area between Crookham and
Dogmersfield, could have witnessed some bloody combat.
As it was, these
measures were not tested, and most remain intact today. A canal restoration program began in 1975,
taking 16 years to complete and was re-opened
by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, on 10th May, 1991.
The Basingstoke
Canal is now used mainly for pleasure, i.e boating, house boats, anglers,
joggers and
walkers. |