1783-1822
Gloucestershire Archives TS/166
Minutes of General Meetings of Proprietors
Meeting held at London Tavern
List of shareholders.
Officers to be appointed. Call of £5 per share to be made.
Instructions to officers how to work together, keep records, employ workers, etc.
Committee elected names listed.
Meeting at George Inn, Stroud
Officers appointed and Committee elected.
Mr Joseph Grazebrook signifies his desire to resign as clerk to the Proprietors and second clerk to the works.
Meeting at Swan Inn, Stroud
Call of £5 per share. Committee elected
Sub committee to meet with promoters of Wilts & Berks Canal. Mr Whitworth to make survey of the intended canal between Abingdon and the Thames & Severn.
Meeting at George Inn, Stroud
Thomas Glover to be allowed four guineas over and above his wages as a gratuity.
Thomas Lane to obtain an opinion on the operation of the Stamp Acts.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Kings Head, Cirencester
Mr Hall to survey canal from Stroud to Chalford
Plan to be made of Mr Innell’s mill pond and the works intended to be erected on it.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Kings Head, Cirencester
Lord Bathurst to be approached for the purchase of Jenners Mill and enough land to form a reservoir in the meadow adjoining.
Call of £5 per share to be made.
Committee elected.
Meeting at London Tavern.
Expenditure was exceeding money collected. Agreed to make ninth and tenth calls immediately.
James Perry to treat with Lord Bathurst re Cirencester and Siddington mills.
Several orders were made by Mr Black and Mr Perry to keep the works going at a meeting 5 December last when only three proprietors attended, and these were confirmed.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Mr Thomas Stevenson’s in Queen Street, Cheapside London.
A call of five pounds per share to be made.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Ram Inn, Cirencester
Adjourned by Samuel Smith owing to lack of Proprietors present.
Meeting at Kings Head Inn, Cirencester
Propositions from Lord Bathurst’s steward Robert Thompson to Mr Joshua Pitt of Cirencester agent to the Company of Proprietors in the end of September 1786 no details.
Meeting at Kings Head Inn, Cirencester
Ordered that two pence per ton be taken at Daneway Wharf as a wharfage upon whatever is landed there and lays 24 hours and upwards.
That no water be drawn through the locks from one pond to another or from the reservoirs without the leave of directions of the wharfinger obtained in writing. Every person offending against this order as a bye law of the company is hereby directed to be prosecuted.
That a power to be given to Mr James Black and Mr Christopher Chambers and Mr Thomas Stevenson to make enquiries about a wharf at a convenient place in London and to agree the same if they judge it proper .
That the treasurer Mr Thomas Stevenson be directed to receive £4000 from Mr Henry Beesley of Worcestershire and deliver him Navigation Bonds to that amount.
That such orders as any one member of the committee be properly noticed and executed by the clerk and officers provided such orders be given in writing to the clerk to the company.
That a letter be wrote (sic) to Sir George Paul [wanting stone for Gloucester prison] informing him that although we have a very sincere desire to promote the every wish of Public Utility and are willing to contribute as far as is consistent with our convenience and yet having found in the course of the last summer the greatest inconvenience from the loss of water to supply the carriage of their stone and incurred thereby a very considerable expence in being obliged to send their own materials by land they find themselves under the necessity of making some regulations on that head either confining the carriage of their stone to such times as may suit their supply of water or by limiting their carriage of stone not to go beyond Brimscombe on this subject they wish to have Sir George Paul’s opinion.
That the small tunnel in future be made 6 feet high and 7 feet wide except in the valley bit which we desire may be drove forwards with the greatest dispatch of any size that may be thought necessary to draw off the water as speedily as possible.
That the rocky parts in Charles Jones’s work be sealed to their proper gauge and put into such a state under the direction of our engineer as to admit of arching wherever found necessary
That John Pickston be directed to bring the water after him (in his cutting of the Summit level) puddling and forming the banks as he goes forward.
The Committee was elected.
Meeting at Mr Thomas Stephenson’s, Queen St, Cheapside, London
Treasurer to issue £20,000 Navigation Bonds if Committee think expedient.
Committee elected.
Special assembly at Goldsmiths Hall, London
To appoint a treasurer in place of the late Mr Thomas Stevenson ‘who is dead.’
Appointed William Stevenson the late treasurers brother, he to give security to the Company.
(Note written in the margin) NB this is only a copy of the orders of the meeting see original with a parcel of papers consisting of bonds, etc in the box where this book is kept.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Kings Head Inn Cirencester
That the following be Bye Laws for which offenders will be punished: Two pence per ton taken for wharfage of coal lying longer than 24 hours; No pond of water to be drawn down without a written order; That no person be suffered to draw the water through the upper lashers of the locks to flush out their boats, or to throw any rubbish, weeds, soil, or stone into any of the ponds or locks; that no person whatever be allowed to use any shafts shod with iron, upon this navigation.
That the present stock of coal on the island at Brimscombe be removed to Daneway wharf for sale and that a stock of coal be kept there for sale.
Two barges to be employed in bringing coal from Stourport to Brimscombe on the company’s account.
Committee to enquire into the intended improvements on the River Thames and to guard the company’s interests.
Company to enter an agreement with the Stroud Company for the erection of a wharf wharehouse and alteration of the entrance lock at Framiload.
Stop gates at Coxes Barn and Coatsfield to be made be made by planks, let down in a groove on each side.
Towing path to be made under the bridge of the upper lock at Siddington and all other bridges.
Ordered that the line of the canal be followed as laid down in the parliamentary plan in passing over the estate of ……. Bush Esq held under the church of Bristol, between the 3rd and 4th locks near South Cerney.
That money due to the Company be collected by the clerk of the works.
That the hollow left by the slip of earth in the 8th pit be immediately filled up by Charles Jones under the direction of Mr Clowes the engineer.
That so long as the work in the tunnel be paid for by cubical measure, that the clerk of the works do deduct a proportion of the small tunnel according to the left, and to divide the quantity of work done by 34 cubical yards to constitute one yard in length.
The committee to support the intended improvement in navigation in the River Severn.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, London.
Thomas Lane to meet with Earl Bathurst to show respect and to understand the extent of damage to his land. Also, to agree price for the water at Jenners Mill and the Stratton water at a yearly rent of fifty-eight pounds fourteen shillings exclusive of the damage to the Water meadows, and the company will covenant that in case they take any of the Jenners Mill water between the first and twelfth days in May of each year exclusive or any of the Stratton Water between the twenty-first day of April and the second day of May in each year exclusive they will pay his Lordship the sum of ten guineas for each of those days on which they take such water.
Mr Pitt of Cirencester, Mr Carter of Cricklade and Mr Sellwood of Abingdon nominated for the election of one of them to be clerk.
Meeting at Crown & Anchor Tavern, Strand
Mr Thomas Lane conferred with Lord Bathurst who concurred with the committee that damages could not be paid until work was ended. As soon as any district be finished the damages done to his land might be paid for. That as to the waters and the rent to be paid for the use of them, his lordship said he only desired that the tenants of his lands might be secured the full enjoyment of the waters as they use them now; but he conceived that the terms of the Proprietors would not have that effect: that however His Lordship said he would write into the Country to make some enquiries and that Mr Lane should then hear from him.
Deeds of the 7th and 8th January exchanged and Lease and Release signed by Lord Bathurst and Lord Apsley.
Said commissioners to meet at the Bull Inn, Fairford to appoint Trustees for the investment of Trust monies and to settle the purchase monies to be paid for certain lands.
Meeting at Bull Inn, Fairford
Mr Chambers and Mr Black are desired to pursue the business and to make the basis of a written agreement with his Lordship. They should proceed as soon as possible, as the seasons of the year requires the Company to cleanse the water courses and to take the Stratton water into the course.
Treasurer ordered to borrow ten thousand pounds upon the security of the tolls, rates and duties of the canal. Payments to be made at such times as Mr Chalie, Mr Chambers, and Mr Black think fit. And that they do issue bonds or assignments bearing interest at 5%; not exceeding the sum of £500 each.
£10 on every share to be paid to several proprietors in cash or in bonds. That is to say the treasurer to issue bonds to every proprietor with 5 or more shares. Proprietors with less than five shares his proportionate claim in cash.
That Sir Edward Littleton, Bart, Edward L Loveden Esq, Mr Carter, Mr Raymond, Mr Perry, Mr Jones, Mr Chambers, Mr Bright, Mr Thomas Lane, The Rev. David Disney, Mr Bayard, Mr Black, and Mr Chalie be elected as committee for conducting the works.
Meeting at Bull Inn, Fairford
Application to be made to Parliament to explain and amend their present act. Mr Chambers and Mr Black requested to acquaint Sir George Young and Mr Call with the company’s intentions and ask for their support.
A letter received dated Sept. 22nd 1788 signed by Robert Thompson as agent to the Right Honourable Henry, Earl Bathurst. As agents for and on behalf of the Right Honourable Henry Earl Bathurst, you are hereby required forthwith to satisfy and pay the said Earl for all the land now or late belonging to him taken set out or ascertained in making or maintaining your canal and collateral cut and other works thereto belonging or any of them and for which satisfaction hath not already been made and also to satisfy the said Earl for the damages done to his mills waters woods lands tenements hereditaments in making or maintaining the said canal and collateral cuts and works or any of them or otherwise in relation thereto.
Resolved that Henry Earl Bathurst be paid the residue of his money due for the land taken. Agents directed to measure.
Samuel Smith clerk to the works to pay the balance.
Samuel Smith to apply to the tenants of the earl for a ‘specific demand ‘ for claims of trespass committed by the servants, agents and workmen of this company that they may be laid before the committee of this company to be examined and discharged without unnecessary delay.
Samuel Smith to pay Earl Bathurst for such stone and clay raised by the servants of this company at the customary rate. Also, Mr Robert Thompson steward of the said Earl to deliver in a specific bill of demands for mills, water, woods, tenements and hereditaments. Or for any damage or trespass thereto.
Ordered that the gins used in making the tunnel of this navigation at Sapperton or so many as belong to this company be advertised to be sold in the Birmingham, Salisbury, and Winchester newspapers as soon as the tunnel is finished reserving one gin for company use .
Mr Colborne be paid the annual rent for Mrs Wallington’s land up to Lady Day last.
A cut to be made from the Thames to convey boats along on Dudgrove Meadow in the line which the land will pass, provided it is carried to Buscot.
That the tunnel of this navigation be finished and cleared, and the shafts closed and two plank stops put down at proper distances in the tunnel in order to fill the tunnel with water (so far as it be finished) as soon as the springs rise with the winter rains and it is ordered that such shafts that are left open at the top be walled round to prevent accidents .
That the water be got into every part of the canal which is finished as soon as possible.
The estate of Lord Coleraine to be paid six hundred & eighty-six pounds six shillings &1½ pence situated in Kempsford Parish.
Being informed that a plan is in agitation for the general improvement of the River Severn and as we are fully convinced of the great benefits which must accrue to the landed, commercial & manufacturing interests of this kingdom, this company will give it all it’s support.
Treasurer to borrow Five Thousand Pounds upon the security of the tolls, rates, & duties of the canal. Mr Chambers, Mr Chalie and Mr Black give bonds orents bearing interest of five % and each bond not to exceed £500.
A certain number of boats be provided by the company to navigate the canal with effect and to provide articles of commerce for the supply and consumption of the adjoining country.
A select committee to purchase and employ boats for doing the business upon the canal and to lay in for the supply of the public a quantity of coal. Sir Edward Littleton, Edward L Loveden, Mr John Carter, Mr James Perry, Mr William Jones, Mr Chris Chambers, Mr Lowbridge Bright, Mr Robert Bayard, Mr James Black, Mr John Chalie are empowered to borrow and expend for these actions. The company to reimburse all expenses, outgoings and losses they shall sustain upon the condition they do pay the residue or profits to the treasurer.
The select committee to use the boats named Thames, Littleton, Severn, Nancy, London, Ironsides, Fly and Swift.
Meeting at Crown & Anchor Tavern in the Strand
Resolved and Ordered the report of the commissioners at their meeting held at the King’s Head, Cirencester on the 3rd and 4th of December 1788 be approved and assented to by this meeting under the condition that no part be objected to by Lord Bathurst. If he objects to any part of the report, this meeting reserves the like power. Lord Bathurst to be paid monies owed to him.
Mr Thomas Lane appointed clerk to the Company of Proprietors of this canal.
Seal of the Company to be kept by the clerk in a box to be secured by three different locks, the keys to be kept by the clerk, the treasurer, and the other by some other member of the committee.
The seal only to be used at a committee when the document is signed by the chairman and countersigned by the treasurer. The seal then to be placed in the box and locked.
Clerk to take opinion of some eminent counsel respecting the bonds that have been issued to several proprietors on account of interest due to them and the proper mode of giving them security for such interest.
Next meeting to consider what money it will take to complete the plan for the canal. Mr Perry and Mr Whitworth desired to attend the meeting.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand.
The directions of the last special general meeting were referred to the next general meeting.
Meeting at Bull Inn Fairford.
Doubts have arisen respecting Bonds to be issued for the payment of part of the interest due upon several calls then paid by the several proprietors after the rate of £10 per share. Assignments or mortgages were inadvertently delivered.
Ordered that the several assignments or mortgages amounting to Twelve Thousand, Seven Hundred pounds be forthwith called in and paid to the treasurer before the 24th June next and that bonds be issued in lieu.
The clerk to the company should reside in the counties of Gloucestershire or Wiltshire as close to the line of the canal as possible.
The money actually borrowed by this company upon the credit of assignments or mortgages of the toll rates and duties amounts only to thirty-one thousand, two hundred & sixty nine pounds.
The committee is empowered to borrow the further sum of twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred & thirty pounds making the sum of sixty thousand pounds for making and completing and maintaining the canal.
The engraved form of assignments and mortgages should be printed on parchment and have the words Thames and Severn Canal Navigation.
No assignments or mortgages be issued for more than £500 or less than £50.
The select committee to operate trade to be led by James Perry and they must retain monies from tonnage to pay for their expenses in promoting trade along the canal for the advantage of the proprietors at large and the public in general.
(A series of bye-laws for the conducting of trade.) Ordered that all boats passing the five locks below the summit pond at Daneway Bridge shall observe the following order. Details given. It being the intent and meaning of this order to make one lock full of water serve the passing of two boats, one ascending and one descending under the penalty of three pounds.
The same regulation to be observed in passing the lower locks at Siddington, the watchman noticing the time for boats arriving at Siddington from the tunnel, to begin passing such boats.
Boats passing through the tunnel must notice and comply with the following orders viz;
The first boat lying below Daneway Bridge shall begin to move at five o’clock every morning, and the boats going down the said five locks moving downward in their turn, it being intended for the ascending boats to enter Sapperton Tunnel by six o’clock and clear the Hailey Wood end of the tunnel by nine o’clock of the same day.
The boats passing from the Hailey Wood end of the Tunnel do begin to pass through the Tunnel at nine o’clock in the morning so as to clear the Sapperton end of the Tunnel by twelve o’clock each morning
That the same order as above be observed for passing boats through the Tunnel from the Sapperton end of the Tunnel between the hours of twelve and four o’clock in the afternoon. That the same order as above be observed for passing boats through the Tunnel from the Hailey Wood end of the said tunnel between the hours of four and seven in the afternoon, under the penalty of five pounds for disobedience of any of the four foregoing orders.
That the Navigation be open for boats passing upon it between April 10th and September 10th from five o’clock in the morning to nine o’clock in the evening and in the other part of the year from six o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock in the evening (this order must be observed in the open canal only and not to alter the orders for passing the Tunnel or the locks below Daneway) under the order for non attendance of forty shillings.
That the master of every boat employed by this Company or by the select committee of this Company whose boats pass in the name of James Perry & Co. are hereby directed and required to deliver to the wharfinger or wharfingers of this Company where they shall discharge their cargo or any part thereof, a true manifest of what they shall deliver, as also an account of any good or parts of goods they shall collect in the course of their voyage through the canal. And we the said Company do absolutely forbid every pilferage or embezzlement or sale whatsoever of any part or parcels of the said cargoes committed to their care or their being disobedient to the written order or direction of a member of our committee or wharfinger, the true intent of meaning of this Company being ample wages to their servants and no other perquisites whatever, under the penalty of four pounds.
That no shaft or pole shod with iron be used in the course of this canal on entry but all and every such implements on entry into this navigation we order left under the first wharfingers care on the canal until the return of the vessel, under the penalty of forty shillings.
That no shaft or pole be used to push boats forward or move any boat between Bidmeads Mill and Cirencester and between Siddington upper and lower locks or any other part of the canal which is lined with clay in the bottom in order to preserve the bottom lining of the canal from being disturbed and losing water under the penalty of three pounds.
That the upper gates of the locks be always kept shut when the chamber of the lock is full of water under the penalty of forty shillings.
That no water be flushed through the lashers of any lock or otherwise be permitted to run waste by any person or persons whatsoever without leave in writing from a member of the committee, under the penalty of forty shillings.
That hand bills be renewed to prevent depredations on the property of the company and injury to their works, declaring if they continue this Company will be obliged to forbid their towing path being made use of but for the use of the canal.
That the wharfingers on this navigation do attend personally the weighing of the coal and merchandize and see the delivery thereof and also every watchman or headman employed as check over other men shall duly attend and labour with them, under the penalty of forty shillings in any such cases.
That watchmen shall keep the canal, banks, towing path and fences etc. in perfect repair in their respective districts, that they shall see to the regular using of this navigation by boatmen, and due observance of the Company’s byelaws and orders and report to our Committee every person or persons who shall neglect to obey the byelaws and orders of this Company or their committee or shall commit any depredations upon the Companies property, or do the said Company any injury or commit any defraud whatsoever. In cases where such watchmen shall want assistance, it shall be granted by the clerk of our works or some proprietor who is a member of the Committee of Proprietors, but not otherwise under the penalty of forty shillings.
Every person made Master of a Boat shall attend his respective boat constantly during the hours or time she is in employ, and not absent himself from the said boat under any pretence whatsoever under the penalty of forty shillings.
Every master of a boat going on a voyage shall take in his provisions for the voyage before his departure and shall lodge on board his boat with his men during his voyage and neither the said Master or his men absent themselves under any pretence whatsoever from the said boat during her voyage under the penalty of five pounds .
And it is further resolved that the above regulations respecting the servants, agents, workmen, boatmen, and others concerned on the works of the said Canal Navigation are hereby made Byelaws for the Government of this Company and ordered to be considered as such and the common seal is affixed hereto accordingly.
Upon further consideration of a Resolution entered into at the last General Meeting held on the 7th day of October 1788 respecting the then intended application to Parliament for an Act for ‘’making and maintaining a Navigable Canal from the River Thames to the Stroudwater Canal at Wallbridge etc’’ Do revoke and rescind the said resolution, and do now empower the committee of this Company to treat with the Commissioners of the Thames or Isis upon the most advantageous entrance into the River Thames , and pursue such measures as they shall judge most advisable for completing and perfecting the connection of the canal Navigation with the said River Thames.
The same Committee elected.
Meeting at the Bull Inn, Fairford
Committee elected.
Mr Perry reported to this meeting that he hath purchased six Trows viz Ironside, Severn, Radnor, Littleton, Hayes, Bright and Jones, three frigates from 30 to 40 tons, two trows on the stocks at Brimscombe nearly finished and one trow building at Stourport, three large Thames boats now in employ and one other nearly finished, a quantity of timber laid in for building one Thames boat and two Severn Trows.
Mr Perry had also bought about 4000 tons of Staffordshire Coal brought down by the above boats and stacked for use, some Forest Coal, some Bristol and some Tenby coal likewise imported for use and that a trade has been opened for the supplying of Bristol and Bath with stone which is likely to produce an advantageous back freight to Bristol.
£1700 drawn from Mr Stephenson for vessels and coal.
Mr Perry was authorised to obtain enough coal for the consumption of the country throughout the line of the canal. The general account to carry the cost until a private company might want to carry the trade.
Mr Smeaton’s report to Lord Eliot about work at Latton has been commented on by Mr Clowes as follows:
It was never intended to distress his tenants at the time of flooding their meadows, but to lay in a gauge trunk with a paddle in the end to raise or put down as the water might be spared from Down Ampney river until the gravel became watertight in the Eisey Pond .
If Lord Eliot would grant the company as Lease of Latton Mill the proprietors might abandon the feeder from Down Ampney river.
I would not advise the proprietors to go on Mr Smeaton’s plan at present at the tail of Latton Lock for in wet seasons there is a sufficiency of water. At the time I let out the canal from Latton to Kempsford, I found the Down Ampney river run in it’s ancient course through Eisey, which caused me to raise the canal aqueduct at Eisey to it’s present level, to give the Down Ampney river proper waterway understanding the floods of the River Thames and it’s backwatered up Down Ampney river much higher up the said river than where the canal passes over it at Eisey, and since I have cut the canal and put down the aqueduct at Eisey and Marston, Lord Eliot’s steward has deepened some new watercourses to turn the Down Ampney river out of it’s ancient course to flood some land and run under the Marston aqueduct.
I do not think the quantity of water to be taken from Down Ampney River into the canal through the feeder will ever be an injury to Lord Eliot’s tenants; the quantity will be small being only for the supply of the canal pond, which is rendered leaking by the gravel bottom which in my opinion will stop in the course of two winters.
Fairford 6th October 1789, Josiah Clowes.
Company letter to Lord Eliot with the report states that all the works carried out by the company were done so in accordance with the Act of Parliament for the convenience of the country and expected to be agreeable to Lord Eliot.
The ‘conduct of your Lordship’s agent ,however, it is presumed has not reached you under the representation of truth. I am therefore obliged to suggest that it may probably be found reprehensible, and particularly the late repeated act of cutting down a stank made to keep the water in the feeder leading from Down Ampney …’
All grain, or flour, malt beans and pease passing along the canal between Inglesham Lock and Brimscombe pay tonnage at three pence per ton per mile for any distance not exceeding twelve miles and that no more tonnage be taken for any distance exceeding twelve miles.
Tonnage on pig iron, pig and sheet lead, castings, bar iron, tin, tinplates, black glass bottles, clay, deals and deal baulks, copper, brass, in tile, pig or ingot, bricks, salt or salt rock, pottery ware, limestone, chalk, stone and spelter provided the same do pass the full distance be lowered to four shillings per ton.
That flint stones, passing the full length pay three shillings per ton and no more.
That all coal passing pay four shillings per ton and no more.
That nails, anvils, frying pans, iron hoops together with steel in the bar and faggot be lowered to four shillings per ton and no more.
Some persons that have worked on the building of the canal to be removed and clerks and officers to superintend conducting the use of the canal to be appointed.
Meeting at the King’s Head Inn, Cirencester
Tonnage on pig iron, pig and sheet lead, settled at four shillings per ton provided that it is carried the full distance of the navigation and can be carried further to Wallbridge without further cost.
Clerks and wharfingers to be appointed and to give security for behavior.
That a master or head wharfinger be appointed to superintend under wharfingers, clerks, servants, and watchmen. Also to collect money and dues for the company. The residence of such head wharfinger to be at Brimscombe Port.
Wharfingers to attend their respective wharfs during the business hours. Also, to attend personally the unloading and loading of coal, goods, wares and merchandise, the weighing, housing and delivery thereof.
Wharfingers to keep correct entries in the books kept at each wharf.
Wharfingers to report every boat owner, master of a boat, watchman, and every other person not conforming to the regulation for orderly conduct and preserving the works from injury.
Also to report persons as do commit depredations upon the company’s property.
Wharfingers to report watchmen deficient in their duty.
Every watchman to sign an agreement with the head wharfinger that he agrees to serve the company diligently and to faithfully give a weekly account to the said wharfinger of the height of the water daily upon the sills of the locks in the course of his watch and of all injuries done to the navigation and works, and by whom, at what time and date.
He shall keep himself sober and if absent from his watch without leave will forfeit three shillings per day. Two months notice to be given.
The head wharfinger to pay watchmen weekly, and provide him a house to live in.
Each watchman to be provided with a copy of the byelaws and an amount of his walks and the distance of his watch. Each watchman to keep the canal, towing paths, fences, canal banks, feeders, drains, Watergates, styles, quicksets (hedge) walls, rails, gates, watercourses, roads, wharfs.
A mason and carpenter to be retained in the service of the canal.
A tonnage book to be kept at each wharf. Another book at each wharf called the Housage book for regulating the entry of all merchandise inward and outward. (Illustration of layout follows.)
Entries to be made immediately.
No gratuities to be made to company employees.
Tables of rates of wharfage in every warehouse.
Wharfingers to investigate ungauged boats or unknown boats.
Ordered that upon any boat being sunk in or upon this navigation masters should give a wharfinger a note agreeing to make good to the company any expense or damage to the company.
Wharfingers and watchmen to attend from the 10th April to the 10th October from 5 o’clock am until 6.00pm. The navigation to be locked up at all other hours (the tunnel excepted).
Boatmen not to break open locks or use violence out of hours or forfeit forty shillings.
Any loading or part of loading not to be discharged upon banks of aqueducts or in lock chambers. Forfeit of forty shillings for every offence.
Stone and rubbish not to be thrown into the canal, sheep not to be washed, horses, cattle sheep, or swine not to graze the towing path or throw or send any dog or other animal into the canal. Forfeit twenty shillings.
No boat to be willfully unmoored or set adrift. Planks or timber not to be floated on the canal so that banks might be injured. Twenty shillings forfeit.
No boatman to steer more than one boat at a time or have any other boat in tow. No person under eighteen to steer, take management of the boat or work locks. Forfeit ten shillings.
Rates of wharfage for all merchandise lying on a wharf longer than 24hrs and also for the use of the crane, weighing, and housing be according to the following Table of Wharfage rates.
All goods to be placed five feet from the water’s edge upon pain of forfeiting forty shillings.
That all boats using the Thames and Severn canal Navigation be gauged by the proper and usual instruments by fixing six of them upon every such boat , viz two upon each side of the head of the boat, two upon each side of the boat in the middle, two upon each side in the stern part: that every boat gauged have plates let into each side of the Thames boats, and into each end of the Severn boats denoting by notches and figures, the number of tons, halves of quarters when loaded such boat does carry, beginning with one ton up to her full loading and that every boat when so gauged be entered in a register kept for that purpose, only according to the following form given.
That every boat when gauged, be examined and discharged of her furniture and it be put down in the register in what state she is in when gauged: that is to say: Whether false bottom or no false bottom, Whether a fireplace or none, Whether tarpaulins or no tarpaulins, Whether boards, planks, pieces of timber or none or what number.
Ordered that every boat shall have on board if the owner choose when gauged: Two deal planks, barrow, bedding and shafts, jury masts, sails, and two shovels, or be allowed for them if gauged without; when found on board 10cwt or in proportion for any part.
If gauged with hearth or fire, it shall be registered, and if taken from on board after gauging the boat owner shall be allowed tonnage for it – 3cwt
If put onboard a boat after the proprietor shall allow the owner of such boat for tonnage-3cwt
If a false bottom put down until regauged in the same manner- 10cwt
To be allowed for each tarpaulin not less than four yards square so that the whole allowance do not exceed - 5cwt.
The state of the boat and furniture to be registered and copies given to owners that pay for a copy.
A copy of the register to be kept at each wharf and any fraud in changing or altering indexes be discovered.
Clerks and wharfingers, to gauge with care. If any faults found to pursue the direction of the act of parliament to recover penalties incurred.
No boat to pass along the canal if not gauged. Any master or owner neglecting to be gauged will forfeit forty shillings.
Byelaw allowing boats exceeding 20 tons to pass locks if loaded during the months of plentiful water to be repealed.
No boat of less than 60 tons to pass through the locks between Brimscombe Port and Inglesham between 1st May and 1st November in every year. Penalty of five pounds for every offence except if loaded with salt, and the boat be 60 feet long and 12 feet wide.
And that from 1st November to the 1stMay no boat of less burthen than 40 tons do pass any lock under the penalty of five pounds.
Every empty boat should give way to loaded boats: and every loaded boat going from Cirencester or Siddington in each line of the canal shall give way to every loaded boat coming towards Cirencester or Siddington upon pain that the master of such boat, for every offence shall forfeit the sum of forty shillings.
In order to protect locks, stop gates, and tunnel from damage boats must have two inches of clearance between the bottom of the boat and the sill of locks, stop gates or tunnel. Every offence- forty shillings.
No boats to navigate the canal stern foremost, or without a rudder on the stern.
No boat to be haled (hauled) along the canal without a person at the helm; nor without the hauling line being affixed to the mast to prevent the boat running or beating against bridges banks.
No boat to pass along the canal with less loading than 20tons unless the said boat shall have a false rudder hung to the lower part of her real rudder of at least four feet long and 18 inches deep to be affixed and used at all times when the boat has less loading than 20 tons. Every offence twenty shillings.
That every boat shall stop at a post to be fixed 40 yards distance from every lock and thence to be shafted gently into the lock; and every master of a boat or vessel shall, before he opens the gates of any lock examine the paddles and see that the lock is fit to receive the boat and in moving the boat into the chamber of the lock the master of the boat shall be provided with a piece of wood or lever, which he shall put between the lock wall and the side of the boat to prevent boat striking the lock or lock gates. Forty shillings for every offence.
Gates left open longer than necessary for a horse or man to haul the boat through fined ten shillings.
When the boat is not moving it should be hauled to the side and moored by securing both ends of the boat. And keep her there so moored as not to inconvenience the passage of the said canal or towing paths or the loading and unloading of other boats and vessels. Forty shillings fine for each offence.
Every boat coming to a wharf should be unloaded as soon as maybe upon pain of forfeit forty shillings.
Every boat cleared of it’s loading and not taking on another loading within 24 hours must move or be removed from the wharf to make way for other boats. Forty shillings for every offence.
No passengers to be allowed unless permission obtained in writing from wharfingers
No person to be in charge of a boat if in liquor. Watchmen or wharfingers to detain them until sober. Forty shillings forfeit.
There follows a table of prices for carrying timber, corn, hides with horn tips, staves, barrels of oil, pitch, tar, turpentine, rosin, cheese, deal planks, oak planks, guns, brooms, baskets, mill stones, marble and millstones.
Extracts from the Act of Parliament including the sections 30, 53, 55, 68, 77, 78, 80, 82, 83, 84 to be amended accordingly.
The orders to be printed.
The orders for introducing trade to be referred to the committee for consideration during January, February, and March next.
Committee in London to enter agreements with persons for a term of years not exceeding ten years.
The committee to also consider securing a wharf and warehouse in London for the use of traders on the canal.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, London
In consequence of the notice duly given according to the requisition of the Act of Parliament.
The committee empowered to hire or purchase a convenient wharf in London to accommodate all persons trading on the Rivers Thames and Severn and the Thames and Severn Canal Navigation with a safe and commodious landing and warehousing for their goods and merchandizes and to erect and make such buildings and other accommodations on such wharf as the committee think proper
Meeting at at Brimscombe Port House
Mr Smith to push forward and finish the building of this navigation to the utmost of his power and procure some additional hands to finish the insides of those erections already covered in and to make the Watchman’s House at Inglesham his first object.
Mr Watts be desired to remove the buildings he has placed upon the towing path walls at Stroud or to prevent the eve drops and a water spout from running upon the towing path. Also pay an acknowledgement for placing building upon the fence walls.
Timber to be purchased for building more Thames boats at Brimscombe.
Coping stone for the wharf walls to be obtained from Beesly Common.
Proper benches to be made on the outsides of the high banks at Kempsford.
Tunnel proving to be imperfect and leaky. Ralph Shepherd and John Holland with miners, masons and a carpenter and proper assistants under them do remedy and perfect the defects in the tunnel using gravel, masonry and proper materials.
Also, in order to discover the defects, we order that on each side of the tunnel where the leakage is in the rock or bottom of the tunnel shall be laid dry and open to inspection three feet from the side walls. And every crack or hollow be racked with gravel and well secured after being laid open across the tunnel bottom. And also that such cracks and or hollows which are in the rock be well corked with hay and solid masonry placed on the face of them before the lining and side walling is again erected. The same remedies to be applied to other defects.
Whenever rubble or stone is found behind an opening, it should be removed and the back of the wall well clayed.
Whenever the clay is found deficient, the wall is to be built up of a proper thickness with a fair face against the clay lining and there being some places where the tunnel has been carried out of its direction that these be referred to the report of the head men to the committee as before directed.
That a journal be kept of every days proceedings with an account of defects, where found, and the means applied for the cure of such defects to be delivered to Mr Smith.
Ralph Shepherd and John Holland to start the work at the parting of Mr Nocks and Richard Jones work and pursue it to Sapperton one way and Haley Wood the other way.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Enquiries into the supply of water during Summer months .An engineer appointed for that purpose.
All open accounts with public houses for the accommodation of the committee be closed and discharged. All committee members to pay for themselves and then allow in their bills of charges.
Committee to apply to Parliament for Sixty thousand pounds to be borrowed on mortgage for the completion of the canal.
Mr Perry to resign as surveyor.
Same committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Application made to the Proprietors of the Stroudwater Canal to require all persons navigating the canal to pay the stated tonnage.
Committee to consider the erection of a warehouse at Thames Head for the reception of cheese, corn etc.
Committee to procure information respecting the rate of housage and wharfage of corn and coal and whether abatement should be made in the tonnage of cheese.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Committee to enquire into and regulate the price of coal at the several wharfs with a view to lowering the price to consumers.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Insufficient Proprietors so meeting adjourned.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Proceedings read. Committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Insufficient Proprietors. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Receipts of the company from the subscribers of the several shares of the proprietors have amounted to the sum of £130,000. The committee have borrowed on mortgage by virtue of the original act of parliament the sum of £60,000 and they have also borrowed on mortgage by Act of 31 Geo 111 the further the sum of £24,500, Total £214,500-0s-0d
Seal of Company fixed to Bonds dated August 1st 1788 the sum of £12,700 (interest £5 per cent) in part payment of interest due on shares at the rate of £10 per share. At the same time proprietors holding fewer than five shares the same proportion in cash amounting together to £300 – in all £13,000.
Interest remaining due to the proprietors upon their shares on the 5th January last amounting to upwards of £28,600.
Expenditure on completion of the canal from passing the act of Parliament in 1783 to 7th April 1793 (both inclusive) examined and allowed in the company’s journal amount to £204,770-12s-0½d and also the sum of £24,171-4s-0¼d paid by the treasurer in London (chiefly on account of interest); and the further sum of £1657-19s-2d in part on account of the steam engine at Thames Head making the sum of £230,599-15s-2¾d.
Amount of tonnage received as per proprietors ledger from the commencement of the Navigation entered in coal ledger 3rd October 1791= £1420-15-6¾d
Edward Loveden Esq for tonnage = £354-14s-8½d
Oxford Commissioners for ditto = £67-11s-5½d
Commissioners of the River Thames Upper District for amount of tonnage at Siddington = £837-7s-0¼d.
Brimscombe to Wallbridge tonnage as per coal Ledger, Folio 12 , from April to November 1790 as per Richard Adamson & Co = £1044-14s-10¼d.
Total £6725-3s-7¼d.
Tables of tonnage taken between Wallbridge and Brimscombe and at Brimscombe Port, Siddington, Cricklade and Kempsford.
Abstract Viz
To tonnage from Wallbridge Wharf £1282-2-7½
To ditto from Brimscombe Port £4146-8-3¾
To ditto from Siddington £60-13-7
To ditto from Cricklade £29-4-8¾
To ditto from Kempsford £272-7-3½
To ditto from sundry accounts £3725-3-7¼
Total £9516-0-1¾
By amount and credits in ledger in tonnage account to the 30 March 1793 inclusive £9725-9s-11¼d, less debits of tonnage account to the same time £209-9s-9½d, net £9516-0s-1¾d
17,000 tons of coal imported at different wharfs from Lady Day 1792 to Lady Day 1793.
Names and addresses of proprietors and numbers of shares held by them according to Mr Stevenson the treasurer according to the transfer book.
Preceding reports read and approved
Same committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Resolved that the committee do investigate how far the proposed canals will affect the Thames and Severn.
Only £28,000 raised out of authorized borrowing of £60,000. A further £8,000 to be raised by mortgage to discharge the present works and demands.
The most vigorous exertions are requisite for promoting the trade of this company. A sum of 12 thousand pounds needed with all possible dispatch in addition to the present stock of boats and stores.
The trading committee be desired to borrow £12,000 on the same security. The company, subject to law, to receive all profits obtained by trade.
The trading committee viz: Sir Edward Littleton Bart., Edward Loveden Esq., Mr John Carter, Mr James Perry, Mr Chris Chambers, Mr Lowbridge Bright, Mr James Black, Mr John Chalie
Together with the additional Proprietors as follows: John Raymond Barker, Mr Matthew Chalie, Mr Lancelot Shadwell, Mr Hobhouse, Mr Robert Rolleston, Mr Alexander Higgenson, William Barrett, Morton Wallhouse, Mr Gabriel Clermont, Rev. James Stafford, Honorable Edward Monckton, Thomas Herrick, John Sargent Esq, John Jefson
That the said committee do act in the following division viz;
To meet the 1st day of November in London: Alex Higgenson, Chris Chambers, Gabriel Claremont, John Chalie, John Sargent, M. Chalie, James Black, Robert Rollaston.
At Brimscombe Port or any other convenient place, 20th November: Edward Loveden Esq, John R Barker, John Carter, Benjamin Hobhouse.
At Bristol: Lowbridge Bright, Mr Tindall Warre, Mr Hobhouse, Samuel Skey.
At Stourport 21st November: Sir Edward Littleton Bart, Morton Wallhouse, James Perry, Brant Monckton, Rev James Stafford, Thomas Herrick, Mr John Jefson
The said committee to correspond together and act as they see best.
Circular letter to be written to all proprietors for borrowing £8000 and urging the absolute necessity of an immediate advance of support for the canal and requesting an early answer respecting the sum that each individual may choose to advance and that mortgages of £100 and upwards will be granted.
Ordered that all ashes and manure carried on the canal between Cricklade and Leachlade between 1st November and first of June will only pay One farthing per ton per mile.
Meeting at Christopher Chambers House, Mincing Lane, London.
Loan had not been procured due to general shortage of money. General meeting needed in order to consider the proper means of procuring the sum that would cover the present exigencies.
The circular letters not having been sent to proprietors is another reason to call a special general meeting. In future all circular letters to be signed by ten or more proprietors and sent by the general or penny post.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, London
£20,000 needed to complete the unfinished works and to promote trade on the Thames and Severn Canal.
Opinion of the proprietors present holding a total of 459 shares is that it is necessary to raise a subscription of £15 per share and to furnish their quota if 2/3 of proprietors do the same. Answers to be sent to Mr Stevenson Esq, Queen Street Cheapside before Thursday 26th Instant.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand London
Answers having been obtained from absent proprietors, 2/3 have concurred and will advance their quota on their respective shares at 5 per cent as authorized by act of Parliament.
First installment of £5 per share be paid on or before Saturday 4th January 1794.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
An accountant to be employed to keep accounts in an account current book under the direction of Mr Samuel Smith.
Tonnage on flints reduced to 1 shilling and two pence for the whole length of the canal and a penny per ton per mile for intermediate distances.
Same committee elected.
Meeting at house of Mr Sills, No.21 Upper Thames Street, London
The purpose of the meeting to appoint a treasurer in place of Mr William Stevenson.
William Smith Esq, one of the partners in the house of Samuel Smith and sons, Lombard Street, London, appointed as treasurer and banker. William Smith to give security to the Thames and Severn Company of £10,000.
William Stevenson’s balance viz:
Amount of sums received since the 7th December £12,012.
Deduct balance due to Mr Stevenson 7th December last £160 13s 2¼d.
Amount of Sundry payments since 7th December last £9836 2s.
Total £ 2015 4s 9¾d.
Mr Stevenson to pay the balance of five thousand, fifteen pounds four shillings and nine pence three farthings into the house of Samuel Smith.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Names and addresses of proprietors and number of shares they held on 29th September 1794.
Election of the same committee.
