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Waterways Engineers and Surveyors from Hill, Joseph



Joseph Hill

Engineer of Romsey. He was bankrupt in 1802.

Late 1793

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

He surveyed the route and estimated the cost as £47,209.

1795

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

An Act enabling the navigation was passed based on his revised estimate of £48,930 for building the canal. He is appointed resident engineer.

1796

London & Southampton Ports Junction Canal project

He did a survey for the proposed canal and estimated the cost at £127,000.

May 1799

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

He was severely criticised by John Rennie in his report on the canal works.

1800

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

He left the company in dispute and unpaid.

Thomas Hill

Engineer.

Early 1833

Leicester Navigation

He and John Rastrick were consulted on the horse railway the company proposed to build along a similar route to the Forest line.

Hitchins

Surveyor.

1802

Tavistock Canal

He and John Taylor did a survey for the tub-boat canal and estimated the cost as £40,000.

Charles Hodgkinson

Engineer.

Summer 1836

River Parrett

Was appointed resident engineer under William Gravatt.

John Hodgkinson

Canal and plateway engineer. It is thought that the Benjamin Outram Hodgkinson, a farmer in south-east Wales in 1849, was his son.

July 1787

Cromford Canal

With Benjamin Outram and others he met with the Erewash Canal company to propose an extention of the canal to Pixton but could get no agreement. This being the start of the events that led to the building of the Cromford Canal.

1803

Leominster Canal

He suggests tramroads as a cheaper alternative to canal cutting for connecting the canal to Kington and Stourport. An Act was passed in August to authorise the building of these tramroads.

1804

Monmouthshire Canal

He made plans to extend the canal by half a mile at Newport eliminating the Town Lock and the tunnel.

May 1805

Monmouthshire Canal

The Sirhowy tramroad which he built was opened around this date.

1809

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

He acted as consultant to William Crossley in the re-surveying of the line to connect the canal with the Monmouthshire Canal.

1810

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

He and William Jessop were asked to report on the canal and the proposd line to Hock Crib.

Summer 1811

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

He was appointed engineer for the Hay tramroad and suggested a revised line, which he estimated to cost £52,743 18s.

October 1811

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

He was reported to have been given the job of building a tramroad from Llanvihhangel to Hereford.

May 1812

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

An Act was passed for a 5.5 mile tramroad from Llanviihangel to Monmouth Cap which he estimated to cost £12,000.

12 March 1814

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

His 5.5 mile tramroad from Llanviihangel to Monmouth Cap was opened.

1 October 1814

Somerset Coal Canal

A meeting was called to consider his report on the state of the Radstock Line of the canal and for proposals for making a railway on the towing path.

Autumn 1818

Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal

He was appointed engineer for the Kington tramroad which extended the Hay tramroad over 12 miles to Burlingjobb.

September 1825

Monmouthshire Canal

He was asked to survey the line to extend the Blaenavon tramroad from Pontnewynydd to a junction with the Trosnant tramroad at Pontypool.

Samuel Hodgkinson

Surveyor.

Early 1820

Stourbridge Extension Canal

He made a survey for an extension of the Stourbridge Canal to Shut End either by canal or railway.

John Hodskinson

engineer.

1793

Barnsley Canal

He surveyed an extension just under 8 miles long from Haigh bridge to the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Horbury Bridge.

Joseph Hodskinson

Engineer.

1792

River Stour (Kent)

He planned a 4 mile cut from below Fordwich to Barton Mill below Canterbury and estimated the cost at £4,638. He rejected the cheaper solution, to make the river navigable by building two locks above Fordwich, because there were too many shallows in the river.

October 1795

Keyingham Navigable Drains project

He did a preliminary report indicating that the drains could be rebuilt so that they would be navigable for about 3 miles to Keyingham bridge.

James Hollinsworth

Engineer.

Spring 1799

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

He measured the work actually done on the canal and compared it to money paid out. This was done on behalf John Rennie who reported to the company in May.

1821

River Arun

Was engineer for the river improvements needed for linking the Wey & Arun Canal with the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal.

Summer 1823

River Arun

He completed the improvements to the river which raised barge capacity by about 10 tons to 40 tons.

Before 1827

Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

He was enginner for the canal.

John Holt

Surveyor.

1778

Market Weighton Canal

He was asked to estimate the smallest possible amount needed to finish the canal to Market Weighton.

Luke Holt

Engineer Was assisted by Joseph 1 Atkinson and worked with Robert Carr.

16 May 1769

Calder and Hebble Navigation

The navigation company committee nominated him and Robert Carr as surveyors or resident engineers.

1773

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Surveyed a route for the canal assisted by Joseph Atkinson

March 1774

Calder and Hebble Navigation

Left the company's service.

Evan Hopkin

Engineer.

Early 1803

Neath Canal

He was engineer for the 8 mile tramroad from the canal head at Pont Walby to Aber-nant. It was finished within two years.

1810

Aberdare Canal

Together with David Hopkin he was the contractor on the canal.

W E Hopkin

Engineer.

1869

River Trent

He was appointed engineer-surveyor.

William Hopkin

Builder of Hopkin's Canal

1825

Hopkin's Canal

Manuscript map shows this canal, built by Hopkins, who had earlier worked on the Stepney Estate.

John Hore 1690 - 1762

Engineer of the River Kennet navigation in 1718. From a family of maltsters of Newbury. He and his father were two of the proprieters of the Kennet Navigation.

1718

Kennet and Avon Canal

He was appointed engineer of the River Kennet and shortened the length of the navigation to 18.5 miles, 11.5 miles of which were artificial cuts.

15 December 1727

River Avon (Bristol)

The first barge arrived at Bath after the 11.5 miles of river below the city had been made navigable by 6 locks and other works said to have been built by him.

1728

Kennet and Avon Canal

He produced some figures of what was spent on making the Kennet navigable but these were rejected by the proprietors as he had kept no proper accounts. He was therefore not given the money he was claiming.

1728

Stroudwater Canal

He surveyed the route and recommended a 8.25 mile canal, with 12 locks, to take 60-ton barges at an estimated cost of £20,000.

13 July 1733

Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

He started his survey of the navigation and later recommended the building of a canal for the estimated cost of £12,870 against the £9,355 he estimated was needed to make the river navigable.

Thomas Howard

Engineer of the Bristol Dock company.

1861

Lydney Canal

He recommended the enlargement of the harbour entrance and the deepening of the inner basin.

John Hudson

Surveyor. Worked with William Jessop.

1784

Alford Canal project

He and William Jessop prepared a plan and estimate for a canal with the outfall at Anderby.

25 November 1791

Sleaford Navigation

He and William Jessop reported that the Slea and Kyme Eau could be made navigable for £9,979.

Charles Humfrey

Engineer.

1829

River Cam

He issued his report on the river and estimated it would cost £5,125 to carry out his recommended improvements. He also suggested that the Jesus Green Sluice, which was a few hundred yards downsteam from the present lock, should be rebuilt and had advice on how barge traffic past the colledge backs could be improved.

Richard Hurd

Engineer of Cardiff.

1675

Exeter Ship Canal

For a fee of £100 he throughly dredged the canal, extended it half a mile, so avoiding a mile of difficult river, and built a new transhipment basin and entrance with a pair of single gates that would take 60 ton craft. He also built a new weir at Exeter. The work continued into 1776.

John Jackson

Engineer.

1768

River Swale

As resident engineer he started work on Topcliffe Lock but had problems getting workmen and with the fluctuating river levels which made delivery of materials difficult.

January 1769

River Swale

He completed Topcliffe Lock and keels were able to reach Topcliffe bridge. Shortly after he resigned his post of engineer.

H Jacobs

Surveyor of Birmingham.

1825

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

He produced plans for a 4 mile branch from the Worcester to Alcester road to join the main line near Dunhampstead Tunnel. This branch was intended to serve the limestone quarries at Broughton Hackett near Upton Snodsbury but the Bill authorising it failed to pass.

William James 1771 - 1837

Surveyor and committee man of the Stratford Canal, owner of the Upper Avon Navigation and an early supporter of railways. Bankrupt in 1823. Died at Bodmin.

Mr Jardine

Civil engineer.

1810

Annandale Canal project

He proposed the canal, which was reported to have an intended depth of 4.5 foot.

George R Jebb

Engineer.

1869

Shropshire Union Canal

He was appointed canal engineer.

1871

Shropshire Union - Llangollen Canal

He was appointed to the Board of the tramway company building a line down the Ceiriog valley to join the canal at near Chirk.

1873

Shropshire Union - Llangollen Canal

He suggested the canal from Llangollen and the Weston Branch could be converted into a narrow-gauge railway and extended to Wem.

July 1888

Shropshire Union - Middlewich Branch

As resident engineer he reported on the cost of providing rails for an experiment with hauling boats using a small 18 inch gauge steam locomotive over about a mile on the branch.

Early 1890

Shropshire Union Main Line

He made an estimate of £895,475 to rebuild the 66.5 miles of canal from Ellesmere Port to Autherley to take larger craft.

Mr Jeffries

Engineer.

27 August 1862

River Stour (Suffolk)

It was decided that he should build a barge with a steam engine for £400 and that it should be delivered by 25 Decenber. He had previously shown models to the proprietors of the navigation and delivered the steam barge in 1863 but it was not to prove satisfactory.

Silvanus W Jenkin

Engineer.

1858

Liskeard & Looe Union Canal

He was engineer for the railway line that the canal company were builing alongside the navigation.

Josias Jessop died 1826

Engineer son of William Jessop.Resident engineer of the Bristol harbour improvements. Surveyed the Wey & Arun Junction Canal.

August 1810

Lydney Canal

He was appointed consulting engineer, on William Whitworth's recommendation, and drew up plans for the canal and basin.

1811

Lydney Canal

His role of consultant ended when Thomas Sheasby junior was taken on as resident engineer.

1811

Wey and Arun Junction Canal

He was appointed consulting engineer and made an estimate of £72,217 for the canal, later part of the route was changed and the estimate was revised to £86,132.

Autumn 1813

Montgomeryshire Canal

He was called in to make plans for the Western Branch to Newport and estimated a cost of £28,268 but was later accused of not including the cost of puddlling and lining the canal.

1824

Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal

Around this time he was involved in proposing a Birmingham to Liverpool Railway which would have followed a similar line to the canal, but the railway did not gain enough support.

William Jessop 23 January 1745 - 18 November 1814

Canal Engineer of great repute. Assistant to John Smeaton, woked with James Creassy, assisted by William, Senior Crosley, assisted by Thomas Dadford junior, was assisted by John Duncombe and was assisted by Samuel Hartley.

30 May 1767

Ripon Canal

The Act for the Ure and Ripon Canal was passed based on his survey.

30 May 1767

River Ure

The Act for the Ure and Ripon Canal was passed based on his survey.

1770

Ripon Canal

did a survey for the canal and the Ure navigation while working for Smeaton.

1772

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

He surveyed the river on behalf of John Smeaton and recommended a 7.25 mile canal between Haddlesey and Newland near the mouth of the Aire.

1772

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He was called in check John Longbotham's levels between Shaw Green and Liverpool.

1773

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

He surveyed the whole river and accepted John Smeaton,s prposals between Leeds and Castleford and drew up new proposals under Smeaton's direction for the rest of the river.

1773

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

Under the direction of John Smeaton he drew up plans for a 5.25 mile canal between Haddlesey and Selby.

Early 1775

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

Cutting of the Selby canal began under his direction as engineer at £250 a year.

December 1775

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He was engaged to build Mirfield cut with John Pinkerton as contractor.

1777

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He was called in to advise on the canal line below Armley.

1777

Market Weighton Canal

He was asked to measure the work done by the Pinkerton's so that their account could be settled.

Late 1777

Loughborough Navigation

He was called in to suggest improvements to the navigation and advised the building of a new lock at Redhill and the deepening of the upper canal to act as a reservoir.

1779

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

He was not regularly employed by the company after this date but was sometimes consulted.

1779

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He reported on and approved John Smeaton's proposals for improvements to the navigation.

1779

Greasbrough (Park Gate) Canal

He altered John Smeaton's plan to allow for a reservoir and four broad locks before starting to build the canal. He probably completed it the next year.

After 1779

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He and John Pinkerton started three businesses which took advantage of the new Mirfield Cut, lime-burning, a colliery and a dry dock.

1780

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He started work on improvements at Kirklees and a new cut at Brighouse.

1782

River Trent

He was asked to survey the river to see what improvements to navigation could be made without building locks. He listed 67 shoals and thought that dredging to acheive a minimum depth of 2 feet was possible where there was a hard bed to the river. He also recommended several new cuts.

1783

River Rother (Western)

He reported on the lower river to Petworth Mills.

Early 1783

River Trent

He was employed to survey the Trent above Burton and the rivers Tame and Anker and reported that they could be made navigable to Birmingham for wide boats at much less cost than the projected Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

24 June 1783

River Trent

He was appointed engineer to the new company set up by an Act just passed. He was to be paid £675 by instalments to complete authorised works.

1784

Alford Canal project

He and John Hudson prepared a plan and estimate for a canal with the outfall at Anderby.

1784

River Severn

He was commissioned by the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Company to estimate the cost of removing shallows in the river, making a horse towing path and other navigation improvements.

August 1784

River Severn

He recommended that the river be made navigable from from Meadow Wharf at Colnbrookdale to Diglis below Worcester. By building 13 or 14 locks and weirs and other works it would be possible for craft drawing up to 4 feet to navigate in all seasons.

1785

Calder and Hebble Navigation

Battye Ford cut is extended to his plans.

1785

Flint Coal Canal

He surveyed a proposed line for the canal.

1785

Oakham Canal

He is commissioned to do a survey for the canal although the work was done by Robert Whitworth.

1786

Leven Canal

He was asked "to take a view of the works of the drainage, and of the River Hull, and to report what measures (in his opinion) ought to be pursued to give the best effect to the undertaking; what will be the probable expense of those measures, whether a navigation be compatible with the drainage, and if it be, what additional expense would be required to effect a navigation (as well as drainage) from the outfall to Monk bridge."

July 1786

Leven Canal

He reports that a navigation "will by no means be incompatible with drainage, but rather an advantage to it, if properly executed".

1787

Basingstoke Canal

He was appointed engineer and did the final survey.

March 1787

River Thames

He completed a survey and reported on the river from Oxford to Lechlade.

July 1787

Dudley Canal Line No 2

It was agreed that he would be released from from his bond and that John Pinkerton should pay the company £2,000 by instalments which jessop was to guarantee with others.

4 September 1787

River Trent

The navigation works were considered complete and he was paid the balance of his fee and appointed engineer at £100 a year.

1788

River Ouse (Sussex)

He made a survey and estimated that it would cost £14,400 to make the river navigable for 30-ton craft from Lewes to Pilstye Bridge just past the Cuckfield to Balcombe road. The estmate was for a navigation with 25 locks but a shorter navigation from Lewes to Lindfield with 18 locks was estimated at £9,271.

1788

Shropshire Canal

He gave evidence in London to support the Bill authorising the canal.

25 March 1788

Dudley Canal Line No 2

He stood surity for a £4,000 bond which John Pinkerton took as contractor cutting the canal.

December 1788

Cromford Canal

He presented his estimate of £42,697 for building the canal at a meeting in Alfreton.

1789

Cromford Canal

He was appointed engineer at £350 a year plus expenses and was to give a third of his time to the works.

1789

River Gipping

He was commissioned by several landownwers to survey the River Gipping valley with a view to making the river navigable.

July 1789

River Trent

He made a suvey of the river at Sawley to estimate the cost of a side-cut. He recommended a cut and a lock.

1790

Melton Mowbray Navigation

He oversaw the survey by Christopher Staveley.

1790

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

He reported that he was told that there were not more than three seagoing craft a week going above Selby and that this figure included Hull Sloops and small vessels from Gainsborough and Rotherham.

1790

River Rother (Western)

He reported on the lower river to Midhurst.

Late 1790

Nottingham Canal

He was asked to survey the canal and a branch from Lenton to the Trent at Beeston. He started his survey and found that the line suggested by Lord Middleton was impracticable because it needed tunnelling and deep cuttings but then he fell ill and suggested that James Green should complete the survey.

March 1790

River Gipping

He gave evidence to the parliamentary committee considering the Bill.

19 April 1790

River Gipping

He was asked to prepare detailed drawings and specifications to be used as the basis for tenders.

12 July 1790

Leicester Navigation

He was asked to make a survey for the line of the proposed canal.

Autumn 1790

Leicester Navigation

He and Christopher Staveley proposed a canal and river line to Leicester, the canalisation of the Wreak to Melton Mowbray and a rail and water line to the Leicestershire collieries.

1791

Calder and Hebble Navigation

Around this date he gave up his interest in the lime-burning and colliery business on Mirfield cut.

1791

Fossdyke Canal

He was commisioned to survey the canal and its junction with the River Witham.

1791

River Witham Navigation

He was commisioned to survey the river and its junction with the Fossdyke. He suggested either a line round the south of the city along the Sincel Dyke or to increase the depth of navigation below High Bridge, which was only 18 inches below the minimum surface water level.

Early 1791

River Thames

He was asked to survey the upper river but was too busy.

April 1791

Rochdale Canal

He was asked to do a survey for the canal but could not find the time.

May 1791

Leicester Navigation

He was appointed engineer at £300 a year.

June 1791

Nottingham Canal

He has been ill for six months and the committee now agree that James Green should do the survey under Jessop's supervision. He says "I am still confined but hope next week to be able to get out with my head wrapped up".

30 June 1791

Horncastle Canal

He wrote a report considering either, taking the navigation from Horncastle down the River Bain to Tattershall and then through a new cut to the River Witham, or a new canal to join the river at Kirkstead which is 4 miles nearer to Lincoln. His estimates were £12,233 and £12,544 respectively.

Summer 1791

Grantham Canal

He carried out a survey for the canal.

September 1791

Nottingham Canal

He submitted his estimate for the canal.

November 1791

River Foss

He reported on the river navgation but saw the main advantages of improvements coming from better drainage which would open up land for development. He proposed buying out Castle mills and having an entrance lock with a rise of 4 feet 4 inches. He estimated the cost as £16,274.

25 November 1791

Sleaford Navigation

He and John Hudson reported that the Slea and Kyme Eau could be made navigable for £9,979.

1792

Barnsley Canal

Became engineer for the canal.

1792

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He was not employed as consultant after this date when Thomas Bradley became the canal engineer.

1792

Nottingham Canal

He is appointed engineer at 3 guineas a day.

1792

Oakham Canal

He did a general survey for the line of the canal.

Early 1792

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

He was asked to survey the navigation and recommend improvements but was probably too busy to undertake the task.

Early 1792

Cromford Canal

The Amber Aqueduct partially failed and he voluntarily paid the £650 repair cost. He also offered to forgo his salary for the past six months and until the completion of the canal but this offer was not accepted.

Late 1792

Barnsley Canal

He revised his estimate to £82,080 due to the new Haigh bridge branch, a reservior replacing steam engines and higher land costs among other factors.

Late 1792

Derby Canal

He re-surveyed Benjamin Outrams proposed route and suggested a terminus at Little Eaton instead of Denby and a tramroad from there to the collieries.

Spring 1792

Horncastle Canal

He gave evidence to the parliamentary committee considering the Bill.

June 1792

Leicestershire & Northampton Union Canal

He commented on the extension of the line from Market Harborough to Northampton and was later appointed engineer.

Summer 1792

Barnsley Canal

He was asked to survey the line for the canal but was too busy.

Summer 1792

Dearne and Dove Canal

He was asked to survey the line for the canal but was too busy.

3 July 1792

Caistor Canal

It was decided to ask him to carry out a survey and prepare a plan.

August 1792

Ellesmere Canal

He was called in because the company wanted "as engineer of approved character and experience" to consult and he recommended the original western route for the canal. However he did suggests some changes including a higher aqueduct at Pontcysllte to reduce the length of the proposed 4,607-yard tunnel at Ruabon. His estimate for the main line was £179,898 plus £17,000 for branches at Holt and Llanymynech.

September 1792

Barnsley Canal

He reported that he had looked at the various lines surveyed by William Martin, John Gott and Elias Wright and had concluded that a line from near Wakefield to Barnsley and Silkstone was best and could be built for £50,000.

Autumn 1792

Ashby de la Zouch Canal

He checked Robert Whitworth's line for the canal.

Autumn 1792

Grand Junction Canal

He resurveyed the route that James Barnes proposed and found little to change.

October 1792

Barnsley Canal

He and Robert Mylne for the Dearne & Dove Canal jointly planned a level junction lock to ensure that neither canal lost water.

3 October 1792

Caistor Canal

His report was considered at a meeting of the Ancholme Navigation Commissioners who were concerned about the effect the proposed navigation would have on drainage.

November 1792

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He came to examine William Martins Plans for a Dock and other facilities at Selby following a request to him in August. He recommended that work start immediately when he reported in January 1793.

1793

Barnsley Canal

He took part in the survey and estimate of £72,115 for the 6 mile Haigh bridge branch.

1793

River Foss

He supervised an amended survey by Robert Gilson that proposed 5 locks above Sheriff Hutton and 9 below.

1793

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

He was asked to resurvey the canal but did not respond.

1793

Grantham Canal

He was employed to check progress of the works from time to time.

1793

Nutbrook Canal

He was paid for the preliminary survey of the canal.

1793

Somerset Coal Canal

He made a report on the proposed canal, assisted by William Smith, and was paid £75.

Spring 1793

Grand Junction Canal

He was appoined to take charge of construction.

8 July 1793

River Trent

He and Robert Whitworth reported on the on the state of the navigation and recommended improvements in preparation for a new navigation Act.

Autumn 1793

Bristol & Taunton Canal

He checked the Bristol & Western Canal Line.

Autumn 1793

Cromford Canal

The Derwent Aqueduct cracked and he blames himself for the want of sufficient strngth in the front walls.

Autumn 1793

Taunton - Uphill Canal project

He checked a survey made by Josiah Easton.

28 November 1793

Grand Western Canal

He gave his report on the lines proposed by Robert Whitworth and John Longbotham, favouring the shorter line of Longbotham but not his Tiverton and Cullompton branches. He also recommended a navigation that would take 50 ton barges.

1794

River Trent

He was continued as engineer by the new Trent company.

Late 1794

Newcastle - Carlisle - Maryport Canal schemes

He was associated with William Chapman in his survey of the route and plans for the canal.

January 1794

Rochdale Canal

About this time though "so much engaged" he found time to survey parts of the canal where water supplies were giving concern to mill owners.

May 1794

Ashby de la Zouch Canal

The Act was passed based on his and Robert Whitworth's estimate of £138,238 for the 30 miles and 3 fulongs canal.

June 1794

Barnsley Canal

He decided to replace the planned embankment and culvert to cross the River Dearne with a five-arched masonary aqueduct.

17 June 1794

Rochdale Canal

Having been over the line layout by William Crosley and proposed the elimination of the planned tunnel by the addition of 14 locks, thus saving £20,000. His canal was to be 42 foot wide, except on embankments or in cuttings, and 5 feet deep and he specified postions for each of the locks.

October 1794

Nottingham Canal

The committee criticise him for not paying enough attention to the canal.

1795

Petworth Canal

He surveyed a line for the proposed canal.

14 July 1795

Ellesmere Canal

He recommends that the company abandon the locks which were planned at each end of Pontcysllte Aqueduct and instead build an iron aqueduct at the height of 125 feet above the River Dee. He also recommends iron for the other aqueduct at Pont-faen saying in might the be possible to move the crossing to Chirk, which proved true.

August 1795

Ellesmere Canal

He approved Thomas Telford's plans for the revised line between Ruabon and Chester.

26 October 1795

Newcastle - Carlisle - Maryport Canal schemes

He agreed with William Chapman's line on the north side of the Tyne and thought that an estimate of £3,737 per mile was not high. He and Chapman jointly signed the estimate of £355,067 for the 95 mile canal.

1796

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

He and Robert Whitworth were consulted about changes to the line.

Spring 1796

Rochdale Canal

He inspected the works and reported favourably on what had been done.

Before October 1796

Commercial Canal project

He re-surveyed the proposed route.

Late 1797

Montgomeryshire Canal

He was called in to examine the engineering following the collapse of an arch on the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, which he considered a normal teething trouble.

1798

Driffield Navigation

Acting as engineer for the drainage authorities he reached an agreement with the navigation company over water level maintainance clauses to be included in the Beverley & Barmston Draiage Bill.

1799

Grand Junction Canal

He designed a three ached masonry aqueduct to cross the Ouse and replace the locks on either side of the crossing down to and up from the river.

Late 1799

Leven Canal

He was employed by Mrs Bethell to do a survey.

February 1799

Leicester Navigation

The reservoir on the Forrest line of the canal burst and he estimated the cost at £6,193 for repairs and compensation.

Summer 1799

Salisbury & Southampton Canal

He and John Rennine arbitrated on behalf of the company in a dispute with the contractors.

1800

Calder and Hebble Navigation

Around this date he gave up his interest in the dry-dock business on Mirfield cut.

1800

River Don

He was invted to survey the river, consider the surveys made by Benjamin Outram in 1795 and Robert Whitworth in 1797 and propose improvements.

1800

Ellesmere Canal

In his report for the year he says it "wholly inadvisable to execute a Canal between Pontycysyllte and Chester" partly because of the opening of new collieries and a reduction in the price of coal at Chester.

1800

Glasgow, Paisley & Johnstone Canal

It was reported that he was employed to report on the scheme.

March 1800

Leven Canal

He reported the results of his survey and estimated the cost of the canal as £4,041.

1801

River Don

He reported in February and more fully in the summer proposing new cuts and locks at Doncaster and Conisbrough as well as supporting earlier proposals for a cut with 2 locks at Eastwood.

1801

Ellesmere Canal

He left the post of consultant engineer.

1801

Leven Canal

The authorising Act required him to agree with James Creassy the width, depth and size of lock before work began.

1801

River Nene

The Deeping Fen Act was passed based on two reports, one of which he prepared with John Rennie.

March 1801

Sheffield Canal

In a letter to the River Don company he suggests that an extension to Sheffield could be included in the River Don Improvement Bill. On the basis of a quick survey he thought locks should be grouped at Tinsley as back pumping would be needed and the cost of maintaining a steam engine may be too much.

May 1801

Lancaster Canal

He and John Rennie reported on the schemes for crossing the Ribble and recommeded a 640-feet long aqueduct 57 feet high with three 116-feet elliptical arches.

1802

Grand Surrey Canal

He reported on the state of the canal works following a dispute between Ralpph Dodd and John Rowe.

Early 1802

Barnsley Canal

He reported that the canal was complete.

1803

Caledonian Canal

He was appointed consulting engineer for the project.

Late 1803

River Don

A parliamentary Bill was introduced for improvements based on his 1801 report.

1804

Sheffield Canal

He was asked by the River Don company to report on the possibility of a railway instead of a canal on the route.

April 1804

Caledonian Canal

He estimated the cost of the canal as £474,500 excluding land purchase.

Summer 1804

Caledonian Canal

He advised Thomas Telford to appoint two resident engineers or superintendents.

1805

Caledonian Canal

He and Thomas Telford decided that a basin should be made for Corpach sea-lock and that the locks should be arranged as staircase flights to save expense.

1805

River Thames

He and John Rennie surveyed the river from Kew to Boulter's Lock and recommended contracting and deepening the channel or preferably the building of long cuts and 5 pound-locks.

1805

River Wye

He made a survey of the river and notice of a Bill for improvement of the navigation was made.

1807

River Don

He was asked whether any of his 1801 proposals needed to be altered but it seems he confirmed his original report.

1808

Calder and Hebble Navigation

He was consulted by the company concerning a dispute with Sir Thomas Pilkington over the building of new locks at Fall Ing.

January 1809

River Avon (Bristol)

Water was diverted into the new cut from the floating harbour to the Avon so completing his £600,000 scheme for the docks at double his original estimate.

1810

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

He and John Hodgkinson were asked to report on the canal and the proposd line to Hock Crib.

February 1811

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

He was called in to advise about the decision to abandon the idea of using boat lifts at Tardebigge. He favoured the lift because of his doubts about water supply and the high costs of pumping.

1829

Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

He proposed a ship canal from Comwich to Bridgwater.

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Jim Shead Waterways Photographer & Writer
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