Wed 15 Nov 1893
To E D Marten, civil engineer
Wolverhampton
Mr Keeling is wrong in saying that the increase in traffic at Bullo was due to the reduction in rate; it was the obstruction caused by the Severn Bridge. We have no trade from below the Bridge coming up to Framilode Lock; what stopped this is the Bridge. A bridge at Newnham would have the same effect. In addition to the height of the mast the length of the vessel, the bowsprit and boom which hangs about 10 feet over the side of the vessel must be considered along with state of tide and wind. Old hands say the rate of tide is seven to nine miles an hour.
