1918 Flood

Waterloo Bridge damaged by Cocker flood in1918. The bridge had a central support pillar at this time and brewery lorries and Cumberland Motor Service bus used this bridge and it was repaired and continued to be used until another flood in 1938 washed the far part of the road bridge away and the bridge was not replaced until 1963 with a pedestrian footbridge. Note the overhanging toilets on the far bank. 1918

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1918 Oct 16th Cocker floods over Waterloo (Barrel) Bridge

There are references to a flood in the early part of October 1918, but there is limited information in contemporaneous papers, either because of wartime restrictions on reporting or due to more momentous events to describe.

Brief reference was made to rain and floods with a total of 3.37 inches falling at Whitehaven between 14.00 on 15th and 0700 on 16th. It was said to be the worst flood in 40 years in the Broughton district and that most of the land between Ribton Bridge and Miser Bridge was submerged, but no reference was made to Keswick or Cockermouth. Bradbury (1994) however includes photographs of flooding of the Main Street of Cockermouth during the event.

Based on the comparative statements made in the description of the flood of 1938, and photographs in Bradbury (1995) of the Barrel Bridge being overtopped (Figures 1 and 2), it is believed that the flooding in Cockermouth arose largely from the River Cocker.

Record of Floods in Cockermouth – Cockermouth History

1918 Waterloo Bridge Cocker flood brewery lorries and CMS bus used until 1938 1918 p2
Waterloo Bridge damaged by Cocker flood in1918. The bridge had a central support pillar at this time and brewery lorries and Cumberland Motor Service bus used this bridge and it was repaired and continued to be used until another flood in 1938 washed the far part of the road bridge away and the bridge was not replaced until 1963 with a pedestrian footbridge. Note the overhanging toilets on the far bank. 1918
1918 Cocker flood damages Brewery Bridge 4 Oct 1918 p2
1918 Cocker flood damages Brewery Bridge, also known as Waterloo Bridge. Waterloo Bridge had a central support pillar; you can see the remains of paving the width of the wheels of the brewery vehicles and CMS bus traffic. It was repaired so vehicles could continue to use it until 1938 when part of the bridge was washed away and not replaced until 1963, see other photos 4 Oct 1918
1918 Waterloo Bridge Cocker flood High Sand Lane Brewery Bridge 1918 p2
Waterloo Bridge aka Brewery Bridge Cocker flood looking to High Sand Lane. This torrent brought trees that damaged the railings of the bridge but the bridge continued to take buses and lorries to the brewery area until the 1938 flood demolished half of the bridge and it was not replaced until a footbridge was built in 1964. The buildings on the other side left were demolished and is now Victoria Court. 1918
1918 Waterloo Bridge Cocker flood from High Sand Lane Brewery Bridge 1918 p2
Waterloo Bridge Cocker flood from High Sand Lane Brewery Bridge 1918 this torrent brought trees that damaged the railings of the bridge but the bridge continued to take buses and lorries to the brewery area until the 1838 flood demolished half of the bridge and it was not replaced until a footbridge was built in 1964. The buildings on the other side were demolished and is now the Riversmeet grassed area. 1918
1918 Cocker flood South Street Quaker bridge covered 1918 p2
1918 Cocker flood 1918. There are subsequent references to a flood in the early part of October 1918, but there is limited information in contemporaneous papers, either because of wartime restrictions on reporting or due to more momentous events to describe. Brief reference was made to rain and floods with a total of 3.37 inches falling at Whitehaven between 14.00 on 15th and 0700 on 16th. It was said to be the worst flood in 40 years in the Broughton district and that most of the land between Ribton Bridge and Miser Bridge was submerged, but no reference was made to Keswick or Cockermouth. Bradbury (1994) however includes photographs of flooding of the Main Street of Cockermouth during the event. Based on the comparative statements made in the description of the flood of 1938, and photographs in Bradbury (1995) of the Barrel Bridge being overtopped (Figures 1 and 2), it is believed that the flooding in Cockermouth arose largely from the River Cocker. 1918
1918 Derwent Cocker rivers meet flood 1918 p2
1918 Derwent Cocker taken from Waterloo Street with Waterloo Bridge on the right about to be damaged and repaired so that brewery vehicles and CMS bus traffic could continue to use it until 1938 when part of the bridge was washed away and not replaced until 1963, see other photos. The building is Harris Mill later renamed Derwent Mill. flood Oct 4th 1918
1918 Derwent flood 1918 p2
1918 Derwent likely taken from Gote bridge. The building is Harris Mill later renamed Derwent Mill. flood Oct 4th 1918
1918 Gote Flood Fitz Dam October 4th 1918
1918 Gote Flood Fitz Dam October 4th 1918
Waterloo Bridge Cocker in flood looking to High Sand Lane 1918
Waterloo Bridge Cocker in flood looking to High Sand Lane 1918

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