Spalding’s Port Flourished
In the early 18th century Spalding had a flourishing port. Barges from Spalding carried grocery goods, timber, tar and other commodities from Hull, Kings Lynn and Lincoln. Then further down the river to the area around Spalding and Deeping.
In 1792 the treasurer to the Adventures of Keeping Fen, Thomas Hawkes wrote “The River Glen unities with Welland about 4 miles below Spalding. The boats from the Glen carry coals, etc up to Bourne and bring timber etc. from thence to Spalding.
Some of the most impressive houses are in the High St on the river east bank. A number of early early warehouses can be seen on the West Bank in Double St
In 1802 more than 70 barges used the Port of Spalding port , carrying from ten to 60 tones. In 1829, more than 250 vessels brought imports to Spalding and 143 took exports from the town.
in 1833, 462 vessels brought goods inward and 282 took goods outward. The Welland fell into decline after 1848 when the first railways came to Spalding. Until the 1930s there were many  small craft – motor craft and rowing boats – that took passengers ‘down below’ on Sundays.
The car became an Increasingly popular form of transport and the use of the small boat died out_
Source local paper in 1994
Further resources on the River Welland an Port click HERE