The river Ouse is navigable from the port of Lynn to St. Neot's,[sic] and thence to Bedford. A considerable trade is carried on in corn, wine, coals, iron, timber, &c. The average breadth of the stream is 150 feet. The greater part of the town being a few feet above the ordinary level of the river, inundations are sometimes consequent upon sudden thaws or very heavy rains, to such an extent as to render a navigation of the streets not merely practicable but necessary.Gorham, page 139
