1756
Page 7 of 23.
B2: Introduction page iii.
And, when we are considering the Plausibility of any Scheme for an Inland Navigation, we should first enquire whether the General End or Utility will be answered by it or not, whether the Advantages proposed may be Real or Imaginary. This will lead me to shew, by a few Instances, (in which I shall be very brief) some of the Benefits and Advantages that may probably arise from the present under Consideration.
The Decrease of our Woods occasions Coal to be every Day more in Demand, and the great price of it is very sensibly felt by all, especially the Poor, which, by means of making this River Navigable, may be greatly lessened; for the Carriage of Coal from Framiload to Stroud in Summer-time is never less than Seven Shillings per Ton, and in the Winter often Eight Shillings, which by this Scheme may be brought to Wallbridge for Three Shillings and Six-pence, or less; and the Savings will be proportionably more or less, as the present Land-carriage is, according to the Distance of the Place.
The great Intercourse between this Country and Bristol is well known, The Land-carriage from thence to Stroud is Forty Shillings per ton; if round by Gloucester, about Twenty Shillings per Ton; but by this Navigation may be rendered for less than Ten Shillings. Lime from Cromhall is now sold at Nine-pence and Ten-pence per Bushel; whereas, by this means, Lime of equal Goodness, brought from near Hot-wells, may be sold at Wallbridge for Five-pence Half-penny and Six-pence,, and admit of a Profit sufficient to induce People to be concerned in it. And many other Articles might be produced to the same Purpose; but these I hope will serve to prove that this Scheme, if properly executed, will be productive of real Advantages, will answer the Ends of Inland Navigations, and will be particularly beneficial to a Country full of Inhabitants, and to that Manufacture which is their chief Support and Dependence.
To render an Undertaking of this Nature is thoroughly useful, it is necessary that the Navigation should be certain and expeditious, This Advantage (I am informed) is evident in the present, since a Vessel may in any Part of the Year be brought from the lowermost Lock to Wallbridge in 14 Hours, or in much less Time; for, as by this Scheme the Vessels are proposed to be brought into every Mill-pond by the Locks, so, whenever there is sufficient Water to drive the Mills advantageously, there will always be (without hindering them) sufficient for the Purpose of this Navigation.
