Thu 30 Aug 1810
Printed report by James Black about a proposed canal linking the Wilts & Berks Canal with the Thames & Severn Canal, and about attempts to increase the supply of water to the summit level of the Thames & Severn Canal.
A. Proceedings at Abingdon - agreement between the Wilts and Berks Canal company and the Thames and Severn for a junction 1798. Opposed by Lord Peterborough of the Wilts and Berks. It had ben pointed out between their proposed wharf (since made at Hackhambridge) and Englisham Wharf. Lord Peterborough asked whether Lord Radnor and Mr. Warnford could bring objections on account of their extensive property in watered meadows.
Improvements could be brought about by a junction
1. The future making of a canal from Hampton Gay, above Oxford , to join the Thames at Isleworth on the Thames in tides way; an application which should have been supported by the Thames and Severn but was not. It was opposed by the Grand Junction Company.
2. A canal from Abingdon to Marsworth on the Grand Junction Canal whereby navigation from the River Severn to London would have got rid of all the impediments in the lower part of the Thames, which still remain despite the Corporation of London up to Staines. Impediments still remain as a bar to navigation between Severn and Thames.
Improvements to the westward navigation.
Acts of Parliament passed dated 33, 37, and 45 of Geo III:
A canal from Berkeley to Gloucester seventy feet wide and eighteen feet deep to admit vessels from sea of 300 tons burthen .
Opposed by James Black C. I.
Scale and practicality of towing vessels 300 tons along a level of 18 ½ miles when made and a great expenditure on a canal parallel with a free river as the Severn.
James Black argued for a scale of 60 tons burthen to relieve the trade of the Severn from the risks and delays of the open river.
James Black had clauses inserted into Berkeley and Gloucester Act, to hold harmless the Stroud and Thames and Severn, while this improper plan should be carried through the Stroud Canal.
Three bills applied to parliament
1. A canal from Abingdon to Marsworth on the Grand Junction Canal.
2. A canal from Bristol to Berkeley and Gloucester.
3. A canal to join Wilts and Berks Canal to the Thames and Severn canal at or near Cricklade.
The Thames and Severn canal company to support the three bills.
1. Because by the Abingdon Canal the Thames and Severn will obtain a double way of navigating to London; viz by the R. Thames improved by commissioners and by the junction with the Wilts and Berks to Abingdon and Grand Junction to London.
2. By the canal from Bristol to Gloucester, passing through the Stroud Canal, the Thames and Severn canal can compete with advantage by a shorter line of navigation, for its trade to Bristol with the Wilts and Berks who are about to join from Wootton Bassett summit to Bristol by a canal. The Thames and Severn will compete equally for the London trade, by the improved Thames or the Abingdon and Grand Junction at or near Cricklade as agreed on the 14th July at Abingdon.
The committee has agreed to admit the junction of the Wilts and Berks Canals at or near Cricklade, on paying the tolls due at such a place at a rate of for 20 tons as a minimum, on boats of 26 or 27 tons and that Wilts and Berks shall supply their whole lockage water.
Four distinct supplies of water must be drawn, Viz;
To Semington, where it joins the Kennet and Avon Canal, by twenty pound -locks and a fall of 199 feet.
From Marston near Swindown to Abingdon a fall of 165 feet.
From Wootton Bassett to Bristol, by a greater fall.
From Swindon to Cricklade by a fall 70 feet.
The Wilts and Berks Company claim to pump back into their summit this last lockage water to Cricklade level.
The junction between the Wilts and Berks and the Thames and Severn to be made by a lock of fall of one foot rather than a stop gate to aid the servants of both companies to have a peaceable understanding of the limits of each company.
Some danger of flooding damaging both canals by crossing the Thames or Isis river below Latton Lock near Cricklade. So proposes to alter the point of junction near Redfurlong bridge about six furlongs above Latton Lock gaining a rise of nine feet four inches.
B. On improving the Water Supply to the summit level.
1791- levels and produce of the Isis springs and grounded thereon the success of the fire engine, at Thames Head.
The engine and works were found in proper repair to the credit of Thomas Toward who works twelve hours out of twenty-four.
To facilitate the work a gallery across the valley into the pit wrought the engine at seventeen strokes per minute, instead of the present regular work of ten strokes. The engine supplies one lock per hour.
By placing a steam engine at or near Ewenbridge, about 2000 yards to the east of the present one, an equal additional supply of water may be gained, raised from Ewen spring, which lie at 1,222 yards from the summit and 54 to 60 feet below it.
One half of communication with the engine pit may be made by open work and the other half by a barrel drain of about five feet by three and a half.
Correspondence with Bolton and Watt to ascertain the most economical means of executing this to be explored but estimates a the additional supply may be obtained at or near the rate of five shillings per lock full.
