Canal used to leave the navigation, in the tidal river section north of Hull Bridge, but is no longer connected to the river. History The River Hull has long been used for transport, and although small boats could reach Fisholme in the 1760s, that was still about short of the small town of Driffield. In 1765, the merchants of the town, with those from Kilham, beyond it, approached the canal engineer John Smeaton for advice on how keels could reach Driffield. He suggested a cut from near Wansford to Driffield Beck. One lock would be required to accommodate the difference in levels, and he estimated the construction cost as £2,586. No action was taken, but John Grundy was consulted, and suggested a larger scheme in December 1766. This involved a cut from Fisholme to Driffield, with a basin in the town, and improvements to Frodingham Beck, to make it navigable to the bridge at Frodingham. Grundy's proposal formed the basis for an Act of Parliament which was granted in May 1767. The preamble read: An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Hull and Frodingham Beck, from Aike Beck Mouth to the Clough, on the East Corner of Fisholme, and for extending the said Navigation, from the said Clough, into or near the Town of Great Driffield, in the East Riding of the County of York. Commissioners were appointed, who had powers to borrow money, with which to fund the construction of the canal. They also had powers over the River Hull below the canal, as far down at Aike Beck. There were teething problems. A local man called Richard Porter was appointed as engineer, but was replaced six weeks later by Samuel Allam, on the recommendation of Grundy. Two contractors were appointed in October 1767, but gave up, and were replaced by a partnership between James Pinkerton and James Dyson, who ultimately built the whole canal, including a culvert in Driffield to provide a water supply. The canal opened progressively, with the first section completed on 12 December 1768, the next section to Wansford open by 25 May 1769, and the whole canal formally opened on 25 May 1770. The distance by canal from Emmotland to Driffield was , a reduction of on the distance by river. The cost of the work was around £13,000, which was more than the original estimate, and there were insufficient funds to