Fri 19 Feb 1841
From E W Mason, superintendent
Wallbridge
Having been Superintendent for five months I lay before you a statement of the present condition of your canal. Towpaths low and narrow with poor gravel that is being swept into canal. Banks on towpath side undermined. Continued
To the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation
Gentlemen
Having been your Superintendent for nearly five months and during which time I hope I have made myself generally acquainted with your interests, I beg to lay before you a statement of the present condition of your Canal in order that such amendments shall be effected by the well working of the same.
The Towing paths are generally low, ? and narrow, no skill has been exercised in the forming, or laying on the Gravel of which (with the exception of Coal ashes and cinders) they are generally composed, the large and most valuable part of the gravel has been suffer'd to remain on the surface and consequently by the feet of both men & horses have been scattered or lost into the Canal.
I find the Banks and particularly on the Towing path side undermined by the water to a considerable extent no ingenuity has been shown in piling the Banks the Canal ? repeated & lipping in of the sides much wider than originally made; the Edges of the Canal in a few instances sloped down to the water & no regular width or curve observed by judicious piling of the Banks a great deal of the expence of mudding may be saved to the pockets of the Proprietors. To effect which Poles of Larch or Beech will be required.
I am happy to inform the Committee that the present contractor has most distinctly promised that he will find proper persons to do what I shall direct as to the Piling &c but I cannot say so much as to the Stoneing of the Roads. The Lock Walls in several instances are in a bad state in so much that the Water has found its way through to the back of the walls and escapes to the lower level.
As the article of Lime is of very great importance in effecting the repairs of the Locks, Weirs, Bridges and other works belonging to the Canal I suggest the propriety of removing the present old Limekiln which if again used will require repairs and to erect it in the Dock Yard where both Lime and local Coal will be safe and may be put under Lock & Key..
The Bridges being very much out of condition more particularly as to the pointing. The Westfield bridge will require new parapets and coping.
There is at present a want of Elm planks for foot boards, fender planks for the top gates, &c. I consider it will be to the advantage of the Committee to buy the Timber in the ? for these and other purposes.
More Shropshire and Frampton Bricks are required to effect the repairs.
The Ice Boat having as I am informed having been built Thirty Years since is quite unfit for another years use should the Committee determine to have another the Timber should be provided.
Several of the Lock gates require repair Timbers for which have been provided and only waits for opportunity to serve for applying it.
I am Gentm - your ? servt
E W Mason
Wallbridge
Feby 19th 1841
