TRENT, the chief river in the midlands of England, the third in length in the country, exceeded only by the Thames and Severn. It rises in north Staffordshire, and discharges through the Humber into the North Sea, having a course of about 170 m. The source is on Biddulph Moor. The course is first southerly, and it skirts the Potteries, passing Stoke-on-Trent. Passing Stone, the course be comes south-easterly, and the united waters of the Sow and the Penk are received on the right. Near Ruge,...y the direction be comes easterly, and near Alrewas the Trent receives the Tame (right), and turns to the north-east. The river now passes Burton on-Trent, in this part of its course forming the boundary between Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The valley opens out as the stream, dividing into several channels at Burton and receiving on the left the Dove, enters Derbyshire. It then separates that county from Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, receives in succession the Derwent (left), Soar (right) and Erewash (left), enters Notting hamshire, and passes Nottingham, Si-i- m. from the mouth. The next important town is Newark; the Devon (right) joins here. The valley becomes flat, though the river is rather deeply en trenched in some parts. Forming the boundary between Notting ham and Lincolnshire, the Trent passes Gainsborough, receives the Idle (left) and, entering Lincolnshire and skirting the Isle of Axholme, joins the Yorkshire Ouse near Faxfleet. The lower
part of the valley resembles the Fens in character. The highest tides are about 4o m. up river, and the phenomenon of a bore is seen rising on spring tides to a height of 4 or 5 ft., 15 m. above the mouth of the river.
The Trent is navigable for 944 m. from its junction with the Ouse, to a point a short distance above the junction of the Der went. It is also navigable for barges of 120 tons as far as Notting ham. There are eight locks. Below Gainsborough the navigation is open, and vessels drawing 9 ft. can reach this point on spring tides. From the Derwent mouth the Trent and Mersey Canal follows the Trent valley upward, and gives connection with the inland navigation system of the midlands and west of England. Short canals give access to Derby and the Erewash valley ; the Leicester Navigation, following the Soar, connects with the Grand Junction canal; and the Grantham Canal carries a little traffic between that town and Nottingham. The Fossdyke, connects the Trent with Lincoln and the Witham, and lower down the Sheffield and South Yorkshire canal joins the river from the west at Keadby. There is also a canal, little used, to Chesterfield.