Trunk Draina(jc. 
45 
through tlie great central estuary of the Level. In early ages, 
however, the Ouse was diverted to Lynn, and with it the drain- 
age of the chief part of the Fens. Bishop Morton's Learn, made 
in tlie reign of Henry VI L, and succeeding cuts, have carried, 
tlio Neue in a pretty straight course across the plain ; and as 
a barrier embankment divides it from any connection with the 
Levels on its south-eastern side, the only lands now draining by 
it, in what may be called its " lower valley," are about 118,000 
acres — much of this tract fcninerly by means of windmills, but 
now with little exception by a natural flow. 
Now, as the key of tlie present improvement consists in the 
perfection of the outfall, we shall briefly advert to the works 
which have from time to time added to the efficiency of the 
lower part of the river, before entering upon a description of the 
present evils and remedies within the limits of the upper valley. 
In the year 1771, Messrs. Golborne and Dunthorne reported 
upon the narrowness and shallowness of the river Nene through 
the town of Wisbech, and at the same time a resolution was 
passed by the Commissioners of the North Level — a district of 
48,000 acres lying north of the river — that a clear waterway of 
100 feet at low-water mark through this town was necessary to 
the preservation of the countries on each side the river from 
Peterborough to Wisbech. In 1722, Kinderley began to cut a 
new channel to convey the river in a better course through its 
wide estuary of shifting sands ; but when almost completed a 
mob demolished his works. The outfall continuing to decay, the 
river burst the fen banks, laying most of the North Level under 
water ; but still the Wisbech people opposed the opening of the 
outfall out of fear for the safety of their town and commerce. In 
1773 the North Level, with some assisting parishes, obtained an 
Act of Parliament for making a new seaward channel, which was 
accordingly done the next summer. The first land-flood ground 
down the bottom of the new channel from 12 to 16 inches 
deeper than it was cut, lowering the surface of the water at the 
North Level outlet sluice 5 feet, giving immediate relief to that 
Level, and admitting vessels of larger burden than before to 
come up to Wisbech. This was named " Kinderley's Cut ;" 
and in November, 1783, the Report of James Golborne states 
that the spring-tide rose 10 feet at Wisbech instead of 4 ; and 
at Guyhirn the surface of low-water was lowered 1 foot 9 inches, 
and at Peterborough 1 foot 11 inches, below what it was in 1767. 
In the year 1814, Mr. Rennie reported upon the condition of 
the estuary, and the confined channel of the river tlirough the 
town of Wisbech ; proposing a continuation of Kinderley's Cut, 
and the embanking and enclosing of the estuary, and also a cut 
on the north side of Wisbech to avoid the bends and contractions 
