In 1918 a major breach caused by mining subsidence caused the last few miles of the canal near Ashby to be abandoned, the canal was nearly closed completely, only the strategic importance of the coal supplies during the First World War allowed it to survive.
A major breach caused by mining subsidence, the canal was nearly closed completely. This was in 1918. The strategic importance of the coal supplies during the First World War allowed it to survive. This mining subsidence was caused the last few miles of the canal near Ashby. This was to be abandoned.