Although the River Darenth or Dartford Creek was in the early 19th century navigable 3.5 miles up from the Thames for 50-ton barges on spring tides, at other times cargo had to be transferred to small 10 to 12-ton punts or lighters. Improvements came under an Act of 1840, which sanctioned shortening and dredging both Dartford and Crayford Creeks to take 150-ton barges. These works were completed in 1844 with a lock below Dartford, the total length of the navigation being 2 3/8 miles excluding Crayford Creek. (1)

<1> Edward Paget-Tomlinson, 1993, The illustrated history of canal and river navigations (Monograph). SKE53641.