Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.
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Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead. |
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Surveyor and engineer. Brother of Henry Buck and was assistant to William Chapman.
Early 1818 | Around this time he assisted William Chapman in a survey of the route for the canal. | |
1820 | Was assisting William Chapman on the construction of the canal with his brother Henry working for some of the time as resident engineer. | |
February 1823 | Was asked to leave the company following the dismissal of his former principal, William Chapman, in the previous December. |
Surveyor. Worked with John Snape.
1784 | About this time he and John Snape surveyed the extension of the canal to the Birmingham Canal through Dudley Tunnel. |
Engineer who worked on the Coventry and other Midland canals between 1769 and 1793. Was assistant to Edmund Lingard.
1769 | Was appointed assistant to Edmund Lingard working on the construction of the canal. | |
1793 | Was in charge of the survey of the line of the canal while working for the Birmingham Canal Company. He produced an estimate of 95,000 pounds. | |
Mid 1793 | Took part in surveys of alternative lines for the canal while working for the Birmingham Canal Company. |
Canal engineer.
May 1833 | Appointed engineer and soon after recommended 60,000 pounds worth of improvements to the navigation. |
Surveyor.
1791 | Produced a plan for the proposed navigation. |
Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor.
1814 | Drew a plan of the river showing some straightening of bends. |
Surveyor. Assisted by Richard Beck.
14 June 1769 | Instructed to survey a proposed line for the canal assisted by Richard Beck. |
Engineer.
1832 | Laid out a 7.75 mile route to extend the canal from the top of the Sheffield Locks to the Chesterfield Canal at a point below Killamarsh forge. He estimated the cost as 46,204 pounds and the revenue as 4,999 pounds. |
Surveyor Worked with William Chapman.
1800 | Took the levels for William Chapman's proposed route. | |
1804 | Produced a plan of the river from the Rye junction to Yedingham Bridge "for an Intended Navigation". |
Inventor of a canal cutting machine used on the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire canal.
16 December 1793 | It was reported that his cutting machine had removed 1,007 cubic yards of earth in 7 days, using eleven men and four horses. |
Engineer. The West Riding of Yorkshire bridge surveyor and architect, father of the architect John Carr. Worked with Luke Holt.
1769 | He and Luke Holt were appointed surveyors or resident engineers to rebuild and complete the navigation after flood damage. | |
18 May 1769 | The navigation company committee nominated him and Luke Holt as surveyors or resident engineers. | |
1779 | Left the company and was succeeded by William Brassey. |
Surveyor.
1800 | Surveyed the line of the proposed navigation in preparation for the Bill to be presented to parliament. |
Engineer of the Worcester & Birmingham from 1791 to 1807.
1794 | Was engineer on the canal at this date. | |
1800 | Surveyed the line for a tramroad on behalf of the company. | |
March 1802 | Did a survey to extend the canal from Gilwern to Llanfoist, having replaced Thomas Dadford as engineer for the canal. | |
May 1802 | Surveyed the line for a tramroad with James Birch. | |
1805 | Made a survey for a tramroad between Brecon and Hay. | |
Early 1805 | Secured a contract to finish the canal from Hopwood wharf to the entrance of the cutting leading to Tardebigge Tunnel. | |
Early 1809 | He was paid for the work done under his contract. | |
July 1809 | Due to ill health he left the post of engineer and was succeeded by John Woodhouse. |
Engineer.
January 1794 | Appointed assistant resident engineer with special responsibilities for the Lune Aqueduct foundations. | |
6 October 1795 | The canal committee record the presentation of a silver cup to him "as a reward for his extra care and attention in superintending the Foundations of the Lune Aqueduct". | |
1799 | He advises the canal committee to build a 5-mile tramroad from the South End at Clayton Green to Preston and to make a short extension to the North End of the canal from Spital Moss, thus connecting the two portions of the canasl across the Ribble. | |
July 1799 | As resident engineer for the whole canal he reported that the canal was now open for 12 miles to Johnson's Hillock and almost ready to Clayton Green except for Whittle Hills Tunnel. | |
Mid 1801 | Submitted a design for an aqueduct with three 120 foot spans as an alterative to a tramroad crossing of the Ribble. | |
6 July 1801 | The committee record that Rennie and Jessop have approved his plans for a tramroad as a temporary crossing of the Ribble valley. |
Engineer who made proposals for improvement to the Nene im 1758.
Early 1758 | Put in plans for improvements to the Western Division of the river but later dissented from these proposals and the terms required for the work. |
An architect and Irish canal builder between 1731 and 1736.
Surveyor of Chester.
24 February 1794 | The Hampshire Chroncile & Portsmouth & Chicester Journal reported that he surveyed a line from the Kennet & Avon at Wilcot to Salisbury, 24 miles long with 270 feet of lockage, and another from the Kennet & Avon at Wootton Rivers to Andover, 16 miles long with 250 feet of lockage. Estimated at 65,000 and 55,000 pounds respectively. | |
Before 1796 | Made an early survey for this route. |
Engineer who did much work in Ireland and Yorkshire. Author of the book "Observations on the various systems of Canal Navigation" published in 1797. Was assisted by Richard Buck and worked with Ralph Burton.
5 January 1795 | He made a preliminary report on the canal. | |
Summer 1795 | Between 26 June and 10 August he issued three parts of a detailed study on a proposed route from the north side of the Tyne at Newcastle, to Hexham and Haydon Bridge, through the Tyne and Irthling valleys to Carlisle and Maryport. | |
1796 | Produced plans and estimates for improving the navigation. | |
1796 | Both he and William Jessop submitted reports on land drainage schemes for the river. | |
3 October 1796 | Was commissioned to make a survey of the proposed navigation. | |
30 June 1797 | He reported that small 8 ton double-ended craft, 28 feet long by 7 feet wide should be able to use the drains to move about 9 miles inland. They would draw about 2 feet 6 inches and would be woked in pairs. A transhipment quay and basi should be built by the Humber. His estimate for the work was 1,500 pounds. | |
1798 | A land drainage Bill based on his 1796 report was taken through Parliament (by William Jessop). | |
1799 | He starts work on the River Hull land drainage scheme. | |
December 1799 | Asked to report on the drainage and navigation proposals with the assistance of Isaac Milbourn. | |
Early 1800 | He proposes that the Derwent floodwaters be diverted by Muston to the sea and estimates a possible navigation extension at 4,197 pounds. | |
Mid 1800 | A new improvement committee recommend some of his 1796 proposals to the navigation commissioners. These include a towpath from Beverly Beck to Fisholme, the raising of Hull Bridge, a lock to be built on the Hull, river straightening, canal deepening and landing and bridge improvements. | |
February 1800 | Commissioned to survey a route for the navigation. | |
July 1800 | Reported the results of the survey offering two alternative routes. An 8 mile canal with 12 locks could take Humber sloops and would cost 22,908 pounds. A 6 mile, 9 lock, canal taking smaller craft (54 feet by 9 feet) would cost 13,189 pounds. | |
Mid 1801 | Appointed engineer. | |
Late 1801 | Became engineering advisor to the landowners effected by extensions to the navigation and produced counter-proposals. | |
Late 1802 | He designed Grovehill lock at the the point where the Beck meets the River Hull. As engineer to the Beverly & Barmstom Drainage he had built a tunnel under the Beck and had advised that a lock be built to maintain sufficient depth. | |
August 1802 | Produced a report considering three lines for the canal of 8, 9.5 amd 13.5 miles in length and recommends the longest one. | |
29 June 1807 | The Canal Committee meeting considered his report proposing a canal from the town to the sea. The cost was estimated at 40,000 pounds if it took vessels of up to 45 tons or between 55,000 and 65,000 pounds for craft up to 90 tons. | |
22 August 1807 | He added an appendix to his report of 27th June proposing both a 90 - 100 ton canal for the Irish, Scottish and Liverpool trade, and a 50 ton line to the collieries near Maryport, saying "I see by the newspapers, that the Sea Vessel Canal from Carlisle appearsto be as warmly espoused as that to Maryport for Canal Boats". | |
1808 | In making comments on Telford's proposals for the canal he suggests that a steam engine would be a cheaper way of supplying water to the canal than the Wigton branch unless the branch could be commercially justified and that the locks could be 65 by 16 feet with 6 feet over the cill rather than of Forth & Clyde dimensions. This would be big enough for the Mersey flats that were expected to be trading from Liverpool. | |
1809 | He reported to the drainage commissioners that the locks on the navigation had raised water levels and caused flooding. | |
1810 | He completes the work on the River Hull land drainage scheme started in 1799. | |
1810 | He completed the 154 yard Mardale Cut, the first major improvement to the navigation, which saved 2.5 miles of river passage. | |
20 July 1813 | He reported his proposals for the canal from Rotherham to Sheffield having surveyed lines north and south of the river. | |
September 1813 | He produced a report which suggested linking Sheffield with Manchester through a 2.75 mile canal tunnel and a short link into the navigation. The scheme also included a railway with six inclined planes worked by steam engines. | |
April 1814 | The shareholders reject his proposal for the Sheffield Canal. | |
Autumn 1814 | He revised his ideas for the route on the south side of the river and proposed three reseviors, a branch canal towards Darnell and a steam engine to pump colliery water. | |
1817 | Was retained to advise Doncaster Corporation on a realignment of the river following a mill being destroyed by fire. | |
7 October 1817 | He was asked to survey a canal route from Carlisle to the Solway Firthfor craft of not less than 70 tons. He was told he should "strictly adhere to the great ultimate object of connecting the east and west seas". | |
1818 | He recommended a canal from Fisher's Cross (later to be called Port Carlisle) to Carlisle, 50 foot wide and 8 feet deep with locks 74 by 17 feet. The estimated cost was 73,392 pounds. | |
1819 | Was appointed consulting engineer to the navigation. | |
Late December 1822 | Was dismissed by the canal committee after a disagreement over the quality of the work of the site engineer, Thomas Ferrier, who was backed by the committeee who rejected Chapman's criticism. | |
1824 | 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. | |
1824 | Was asked to adjuge between the Commission of Sewers and the navigation company. | |
Summer 1824 | Wrote a pamphlet explaining that his 1796 route for the canal could be used as the line for a railway. | |
1825 | Reported on a scheme to build a 51 mile canal to carry vessels up to 250-tons from the River Dee to Manchester. He estimated the cost at 1,569,000 pounds. | |
Spring 1826 | Between 10 April and 1 May he, and five other leading civil engineers, gave evidence to parliament on the Bill to build the cut. |
Built half, or flash, locks on the river Lug.
1748 | About this date he built half-locks (having only single-gates) on the river. |
Engineer.
1825 | Prepared proposals, with J & H Claytons, surveyors, for this navigation which was never authorised or built. |
Engineer.
1801 | Started builing the 9.25 mile barge canal about this date. | |
1823 | Was paid 300 pounds by the company, presumably as arrears of fees for several previous years. |
Engineer of Clark, Stansfield & Clark, consulting engineers of Westminster.
1870 | He designed the Anderton Boat Lift about this time. |
Engineer to the Nene Catchment Board.
After 1930 | Was responsible for rebuilding locks and sluices on the river and building a new lock and weir at Dog-in-a-Doublet. |
Surveyor for the River Lee.
1757 | Was appointed surveyor following the death of William Whittenbury. |
Engineer who worked on canals and suspension bridges.
1817 | Was appointed engineer and estimated that 97,755 pounds was needed to complete the navigation. | |
1825 | Made a survey based largely on Jessop and Hudsons 1784 report. |
Surveyors.
1825 | Prepared proposals, with Alexander Clark, engineer, for this navigation which was never authorised or built. |
Became clerk of the Gloucester & Berkley Canal in 1829 by 1865 he had suceeded his father as company engineer. Retired as engineer in 1885 and was given a seat on the board. Son of William Clegram.
1829 | He was appointed clerk to the company. | |
1865 | He commissioned a survey which found it was practicable to build a railway bridge across the Severn to the company's docks at Sharpness. | |
1869 | He reported on the overcrowding of Sharpness Docks and on the inadequacies of a canal and docks built for sailing ships now the age of steam had arrived. He suggested a new entrance, tidal basin and docks below Sharpness at a cost of £150,000. | |
1869 | An Act was passed, based on proposals he made together with Leader Williams, to build a weir in the western channel to divert more water to the eastern or Glocester channel of the river.. | |
1872 | He joined the Board of the Severn Bridge Company that was to build a railway bridge across the river above Sharpness. |
Appointed engineer to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal company in 1826 a post inherited by his son W B Clegram. Father of W B Clegram.
1826 | He was appointed harbour master, engineer and general superintendent at £370 per annum and a house. | |
1836 | He advises against the use of a steam tug for towage on the grounds of damage. |
Canal engineer Was assisted by John Gunnery.
September 1775 | Became resident engineer after apparently having previously been a carrier on the Trent & Mersey. It was not long before he was dismissed for inattention to duty. | |
Early 1783 | Appointed resident engineer. | |
1787 | He advises the Thames Commisionners on the building of Osney Lock while engineer to the Thames & Severn Canal. | |
Early 1789 | He was commissioned to design pound locks at St John's (Lechlade) and Buscot. | |
July 1789 | Reported on a survey he had conducted for the commissioners from Lechlade to Old Nan's Weir just above Rushey. | |
Autumn 1789 | He tried and failed to stop the summit level leaking. This led to various actions to improve the water supply of the canal. | |
1790 | Did a survey for a broad canal around this time. | |
Spring 1790 | He was appointed engineer. | |
April 1790 | Reported on the proposed canal from Hereford to Ledbury and on to Gloucester with a branch to Newent. He proposed a narrow canal taking boats of 70 feet by 8 feet and drawing 3 feet 6 inches, carrying 35 tons. The estimated cost was just under £70,000. | |
Early June 1790 | Was appointed engineer at one and a half guineas a day with the task of finishing Dudley Tunnel. | |
1791 | Was asked his opinion on Foulridge Tunnel and possible alternatives to it. | |
14 July 1791 | He was asked to estimate for a canal "on a reduced scale" by the first shareholder's meeting. | |
1792 | Appointed engineer at 3 guineas a day and 4 guineas a journey expenses. | |
1792 | Did surveys for the line of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal. | |
1793 | Appointed engineer. | |
June 1793 | Due to concerns that the proposed aqueduct across the River Severn would cause flooding he proposed a level crossing of the river and a cut across Alney Island to Gloucester. | |
November 1793 | He began work building the canal. | |
1794 | Had begun to build a stone aqueduct at Longdon-on-Tern that was destroyed by floods in early 1795. |
Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.