 Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead. |
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1788 | Probably completed in 1788 . | |
1792 | Most of the line sold to the Shrewsbury Canal Company in 1792, the rest being abandoned during the early 19th century. | |
Description: Was a 5.25 mile, 2 lock, broad canal from The River Nene at Wisbech to Outwell where it joined Well Creek.
History: Authorised by an Act of 1794, opened in 1797, traffic ceased in 1922 and the canal was abandoned in 1926.
1794 | Authorised by an Act. | |
1797 | Opened. | |
1803 | For some years he had given the company satisfactory service as engineer at very moderate fees so now he was given a gratuity of 5 guineas. | |
1815 | Following a £1,670 bill for repairs he was censured for not producing reports on the defects at Outwell and not attending meetings. | |
1922 | Traffic ceased. | |
1926 | Abandoned. | |
1995 | Branch Line to Upwell - including the Wisbech Canal by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Published by Middleton Press. | |
Description: A proposal for a 24 mile canal with 19 locks from Wakefield through the Went valley to the Dutch River at Went Mouth.
History: A scheme started in 1772 in opposition to the Aire & Calder and dropped the same year through lack of support.
1772 | He surveyed a proposed 24 mile canal with 19 locks from Wakefield through the Went valley to the Dutch River at Went Mouth. The locks were to be 15 feet 6 inches wide and 56 feet long. A broad tunnel 2,128 yards long was also included in the plan which was estimated to cost £36,414 for the whole navigation. |
Description: Navigable for 36 miles from Lincoln, High Bridge (the Glory Hole), where it joins the Fossdyke Canal, to the mouth of the river at Hobhole Drain
History: Promoted by Acts of 1671, 1762, 1808, 1812, 1826 and 1829. Boston Grand Sluice was opened in 1766.
1671 | Promoted by an Act. | |
1733 | He surveyed the river and warned that, unless drastic action was taken immediately, not only would the navigation fail but also the lands between Lincoln and Boston would be lost for want of draining. | |
1761 | Together with John Grundy and Langley Edwards he presented the results of their survey of the river between Lincoln and Boston. | |
1761 | Together with Langley Edwards and John Smeaton he presented the results of their survey of the river between Lincoln and Boston. | |
1761 | Together with John Grundy and John Smeaton he presented the results of their survey of the river between Lincoln and Boston. | |
1762 | Promoted by an Act. | |
November 1762 | He was appointed surveyor at £25 a year. He was asked to put a chain across the river between Stamp End and Washingborough ferry for the collection of a 2.5 pence toll, to survey the whole length of the river and prepare plans for a sea-lock. | |
1766 | Boston Grand Sluice was opened in 1766. | |
1766 | The Grand Sluice was opened including the lock he had built beside it. | |
1791 | 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 1802 | He was asked to advise on Kirkstead Lock which was in poor condition and had collapsed in a flood. He recommended removing the lock and rebuilding at a new site. | |
5 October 1802 | He started a three-day survey of the river and later recommended that either the navigable drains should be used to reach Boston below the Grand Sluice, or that the Grand Sluice should be by-passed by a new cut to the south. | |
1803 | He recommended the replacing of High Bridge with a bridge giving a clear waterway of 34 feet. The estimate for his proposals that included substantial drainage works was £58,400. | |
1807 | He proposes the scrapping of Kirkstead and Barlings locks and the construction of a new lock near Washingborough church. | |
1808 | Promoted by an Act. | |
1812 | Promoted by an Act. | |
1816 | He notes that in addition to the drains around Boston four other drains are navigable, these are Timberland Dyke, Carlton Dyke, Nocton Delph and Branston Delph. | |
1826 | Promoted by an Act. | |
1829 | Promoted by an Act. | |
1916 | The River Witham. By P Bonthron. First published. | |
1997 | The Waterways of Lincoln and Boston by Christine Richardson & John Lower, Published by Hallamshire Press - A guide to the Witham, Fossdyke and the connecting waterways. | |
Description: A proposal for a 12 mile canal from the Thames at Maidenhead to the Grand Junction Canal at Cowley.
History: Plans were deposited in 1795 and it was considered again in 1810. In 1819 an application to parliament was in prospect and this possibility continued up to 1828 but never happened.
1815 | Around this time he prepared a report and plan of the canal for the Kennet & Avon Canal committee. This was bases on a survey by John Rennie. |
Description: A proposed 2 mile and 3 furlong canal with 2 locks. Never authorised or built.
History: Plans were produced in 1865 and the cost was estimated at £53,000. A Bill was put before parliament but failed in March 1866. The scheme was revived in 1867 but got no further.
1865 | He estimated the cost of the scheme at £53,000 for a 2 mile and 3 furlongs canal with 2 locks from Wandsworth Basin running paralell to the River Wandle to near Plough Lane , Wimbledon. The scheme also included a new road for part of the route. | |
1866 | As engineer he took part in the parlimentary proceedings for the canal Bill. | |
1867 | Took part in producing new plans for the canal that also included a road, tramway and sewer. |
Description: This open river can be navigated for 15 miles from Bigsweir Bridge to Beachley Point, where it joins the Severn estuary
History: Right of navigation extends to Hay-on-Wye an Act was passed for the Wye Navigation in 1662.
1662 | An Act was passed for the Wye Navigation in 1662. | |
1789 | He surveyed the river for the trustees and put forward two plans for improving navigation on the river and building cuts in different sections of the Wye. The costs were estimated at £27,000 and £48,000. | |
1805 | He made a survey of the river and notice of a Bill for improvement of the navigation was made. | |
January 1811 | The new towpath, probably constucted under his supervision, was completed. | |
1823 | Shipbuilding was carried on at Hereford, and there was a picture in the town of the launch of a brig 170 tons burden, built in 1823. | |
1916 | The River Wye. By P Bonthron. First published. | |
1978 | The River Wye by Keith Kissak, Published by Terrence Dalton Ltd. | |
Description: This tidal river runs 31.6 miles, from Norwich to Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, where it joins the North Sea.
1814 | He was asked to advise on improving the river at Yarmouth and recommended dredging on the south side of Breydon Water and general improvements at the cost of £35,000. He later carried out another survey at Lowestoft. | |
1818 | He was aked by Yaremouth corporation to examine William Cubits plans to improve the river. His view was that the plan would reduce the scour of Breydon Water but would leas to the silting of Yarmouth Harbour. | |
After 1818 | His view was that improving navigation to Norwich would not harm Yarmouth's interests. | |
After 1818 | His view was that improving navigation to Norwich would not harm Yarmouth's interests. | |
Early 1826 | Recorded water levels each hour at Reedham. | |
Spring 1826 | Gave evidence in the inquiry into the Norwich & Lowestoft Navigation Company Bill for improvements to the river. |
Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.
