On Saturday 23rd July 1748 there was a great storm. The river Goyt swelled to that degree at the confluence of three brooks, that it covered the highest battlements of Marple bridge, upwards of 22 feet from the surface of the water when at common height; it washed away everything on the Derbyshire side of the bridge, except the bare arch stones.
The highway leading to the bridge was guarded by a good wall upwards of 300 feet in length, and founded on a rock 19 feet higher than the river, the rock and wall were carried away and the roads rendered impassable for any carriage.
Extracts from the Historical Chronicle, Aug. 1748.