The Report of Thomas Yeoman, Engineer, concerning the Drainage of the North Level of the Fens, and the Outfall of the Wisbeach River, published in 1769 

Incorporating an engraved plate “A Chain and Scale of Levels along the Wisbeach River and Channel from Peterborough Bridge down to the Eye at Sea. Taken in 1767 by William Elstobb.”

First edition, 4to (230 x 175 mm), 12pp., large folding engraved plate, original wrappers inscribed “Mr Yeoman” to front, a near fine copy.

Background: A local commission had been formed in 1767 to find solutions to increase the gradient of the river and to increase the rate of discharge of flood water down the river into the sea, in an attempt to solve the devastating flood problems of the Wisbech River in the fenland area of Cambridgeshire.

The commission had initially appointed the engineer John Smeaton whose proposal to build a sluice was controversial. Alternative opinions of the engineers John Golborne and Thomas Yeoman were sought. They independently came up with a different plan which involved making a cut and digging an additional canal. Their plan was eventually adopted although only after a delay of near fifty years of wrangling over petty local issues.