Jim Shead Waterways Photographer & Writer
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Waterways Engineers and Surveyors from Fairbank, William III



William III Fairbank 1771 - 1846

Engineer. Son of William II Fairbank.

July 1802

Sheffield Canal

Worked with William Dunn on surveying a line for the canal.

1813

High Peak Junction Canal project

Did the survey for the proposed canal.

1824

High Peak Junction Canal project

With the revival of this scheme he did a survey, on behalf of Thomas Telford, for a Sheffield branch of the network, now called the Sheffield & Manchester Canal.

Featherstone

Surveyor. Full name not known.

1765

Alford Canal project

Mr Featherstone took the levels when the first proposal for this canal was made.

William Felkin

Engineer.

June 1793

Warwick & Birmingham Canal

He became the company's engineeer.

1794

Warwick & Napton Canal

He estimated a cost of £82,444 for the Warwick & Braunston Canal, as it was called before the decision was made to jion the Oxford Canal at Napton.

1795

Warwick & Napton Canal

Was appointed company engineer.

March 1796

Warwick & Napton Canal

The committee decide to replace him with an engineer that was not also employed elsewhere.

November 1796

Warwick & Birmingham Canal

Following various engineering problems, starting with the colapse of the River Blyth aqeduect in late 1795, he was dismissed from his post but was taken on again when his replacement failed to arrive.

Late 1797

Warwick & Birmingham Canal

He left his post following an investigation of his accounts that revealed he was paying contractors more than they were due.

John Ferguson

Engineer.

1829

Oxford Canal (Northern Section)

Was appointed resident engineer for the work of shortening this section of the canal. The new line opened on 13th February 1834.

Thomas Ferrier

Engineer.

March 1820

Carlisle Canal

Was employed as overseer of works.

July 1820

Carlisle Canal

Following the resignation of the engineer, Henry Buck, he took over that role.

Late 1826

Carlisle Canal

He left the company.

Edward Filliter

Consulting engineer of Leeds.

1884

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Estimated a cost of £45,000 for the Winterburn reservior which was to hold 284 million gallons of water.

Gerald FitzGibbon

Engineer.

1899

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

Was appointed engineer.

James Fletcher died 1844

Engineer from Bradford. Son of Samuel Fletcher.

November 1790

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Was appointed engineer for the Yorkshire side of the canal under Robert Whitworth.

1804

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Appointed joint surveyor with his uncle Joseph Fletcher.

1805

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Reported jointly with Joseph Fletcher on alternative links to the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal.

Autumn 1824

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He supervised the work of repairing the recently colapsed section of Foulridge Tunnel, for which he was granted an increase in salary and 100 guineas "in consideration of his extraordinary exertions in repairing the tunnel".

1828

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He reported together with Walmsley Stanley, his fellow joint engineer, on alternative proposals to improve the River Douglas below Tarleton or to build a new canal parallel to the river.

Spring 1839

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He reported together with Walmsley Stanley, his fellow joint engineer, and Robert Nicholson, the law clerk, on proposals from the Leeds & Armley Navigation Company to build a new River Aire lock.

1840

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He suggests that Foulridge Tunnel should be opened out to ease congestion and estimates the cost at £23,000.

Joseph Fletcher

Engineer.

April 1799

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Was given the job of assisting his brother Samuel on the section of canal to Enfield (Clayton-le-Moors).

1804

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Appointed joint surveyor with his nephew James Fletcher.

1805

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Reported jointly with James Fletcher on alternative links to the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal.

Samuel Fletcher died 1804

Resident engineer of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from 1795. Father of James Fletcher.

1793

Haslingden Canal

Conducted a preliminary survey of the canal line with Charles McNiven.

Autumn 1795

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

He was appointed resident engineer.

April 1799

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Was placed in charge of the section of canal to Enfield (Clayton-le-Moors).

1801

Leeds & Liverpool - Leigh Branch

He estimated the cost of the branch with two locks at £29,826.

Thomas Fletcher

Engineer.

1794

Lancaster Canal

Was appointed assistant to Henry Eastburn, the resident engineer south of the Ribble.

1812

Lancaster Canal

Was appointed resident engineer and prepared detailed estimates for the Kendal extension, which he costed at £98,095.

1813

Lancaster Canal

He advised on two proposed schemes for crossing the Ribble. The first for a level crossing he considered impracticable. The second for a lower level aqueduct with increased lockage on both sides he estimated at £160,537 and thought that it would endanger water supplies.

1819

Lancaster Canal

Left the canal company.

1820

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

Appointed resident engineer.

1827

Gloucester & Sharpness Ship Canal

His job of engineer came to an end with the opening of the canal.

1834

Preston Ship Canal Schemes

Surveyed and reported that a 9 mile canal taking vessels of up to 200 tons with a draught of 14 feet 6 inches could be built for £101,078.

1844

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Was first resident engineer on the Yorkshire side of the canal then assistant to Walmsley Stanley when he became engineer.

William Fletcher

Engineer.

July 1796

Leicestershire & Northampton Union Canal

In his role as assistant engineer of the canal he discovered that Saddington Tunnel was not straight.

A F Fowler

Engineer.

1886

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

He was asked to draw up plans for an enlarged lock at Naburn.

1888

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

He suggests a new lock above the Wharfe mouth.

27 July 1888

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

His new Naburn lock, 150 feet by 26 feet, was opened beside the old lock.

1889

River Ouse (Yorkshire)

He agrees with L F Vernon-Harcourt's suggestion for a half-tide lock below the Wharfe mouth.

John Fowler

Engineer. Worked with Thomas Page.

1855

River Nene

Around this time he was appointed engineer and built two dams across the river above Wisbech, one at Waldersea and the other at Guyhirne. He also made a submerged weir with a pair of check-gates below the new bridge at Wisbech. This was done as a temporary measure to guard against floods and to reduce bank errosion but the works caused increased silting and much controversy.

1859

Grand Union Regents Canal

He and William Radford prepared a plan for a railway to run beside the canal from Kings Cross to the Regent's Canal Dock but the proposal did not get past the draft bill stage.

William Fowler

Engineer.

1829

Stourbridge Extension Canal

Around this time he was asked, together with W A Provis and J U Rastrick, to put forward proposals for a canal extension towards Shut End.

After April 1836

Stourbridge, Wolverhampton & Birmingham Junc'n Canal

Made a survey and proposed the line for a new canal.

June 1837

Stourbridge Extension Canal

He was appointed engineer.

September 1838

Stourbridge Extension Canal

He left his post as engineer.

Samuel Fowls died 1847

Engineer.

Late 1809

River Weaver

Was appointed engineer.

December 1825

River Weaver

He was asked to estimate the cost of continuing navigation up to Middlewich, either by way of the Weaver from Winsford or by using the River Dane.

Robert Frost

Engineer.

4 April 1839

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

His plan for the Hatherton Branch was accepted with his estimated cost of £12,345.

Hamilton H Fulton

London engineer who proposed a tidal canal for the scheme that became the Manchester Ship Canal.

1809

Oakham Canal

He surveyed a line, under Thomas Telford's supervision, for the extension of the canal from Oakham to Stamford. There were also to be connections from the Welland near Market Deeping and to the Nene at Peterborough.

1866

Wimbledon & Wandsworth Canal project

As engineer he took part in the parlimentary proceedings for the canal Bill.

1867

Wimbledon & Wandsworth Canal project

Took part in producing new plans for the canal that also included a road, tramway and sewer.

Robert Fulton 1765 - 1815

Born in Pennsylvania of an Irish father. Moved to London in 1786. Interested himself in the Bude Canal and was contracted to cut part of the Peak Forest Canal. An advocate of wheeled boats and inclined planes on tub-boat canals.

30 September 1793

Bude Canal

Wrote a letter to Lord Stanhope suggesting inclined planes instead of locks for the canal. Lord Stanhope replied saying his idea for working the plane had already been thought of by Edmund Leach. This was the start of a correspondence that lasted until 1796.

1794

Bude Canal

He took out a patent for improvements in inclined planes, in which wheeled boats (later used on the canal) were mentioned.

October 1794

Peak Forest Canal

Together with his partner, Charles McNiven, he accepted a contract for cutting part of the canal.

April 1795

Peak Forest Canal

The committee take up his suggestion for a cast iron aquduct over the River Goyt and he later suggests the use of tub-boats and inclined planes.

June 1795

Peak Forest Canal

The company award him 100 guineas for the ideas and plans that he had put to the committee.

September 1795

Peak Forest Canal

The last time he is recorded to be working on the canal (as a contractor).

Summer 1796

Helston Canal project

Together with the surveyor, Charles Moody, proposed a 14 mile tub-boat canal across Cornwall from The Helford River near Gweek to The Hayle River below St Erth. Seven inclined planes were proposed climbing and decending 350 feet from coast to coast.

Jonathan Gee

Engineer.

1791

Neath Canal

As engineer-contractor he assisted Thomas Dadford, the General Surveyor of the canal.

Joseph Gibbs

Engineer.

1834

Croydon Canal

Surveyed the line of the London & Croydon Railway which proposed making use of the bed of the canal.

Thomas Gibson

Engineer.

May 1801

Lancaster Canal

Around this date he produced a drawing for an aqueduct across the River Ribble with pointed arches, three of which spanned the river.

James Gilbert

Engineer.

September 1822

Bridgewater Canal

He drew up plans for a 13 mile 7 furlong canal from the Bridgewater at either Sale Moor or Stretford to Stockport and on to Hope Green near Poynton. A 4 mile 1 furlong railway extension to Kerridge near Bollington was also included.

John, junior Gilbert

Carrier and engineer.

1792

Rochdale Canal

He was made a member of the new canal committee following the defeat of the canal Bill earlier in the year.

1794

Rochdale Canal

At some time at or after this date he became a contractor building the canal.

1836

Manchester & Salford Junction Canal

He was appointed engineer.

Arthur Gilbody

Engineer.

1814

Mersey & Irwell Navigation

He was appointed engineer.

1815

Mersey & Irwell Navigation

He was sent to Scotland to investigate the possibilities of steam boats. He reported that "as Steam Boats and Engines are now constructed and navigated, it is not ... practicable". He concluded that their navigation was too shallow and circuitous for deep draughted steam boats.

1818

Mersey & Irwell Navigation

He resigned as engineer.

Francis Giles 1787 - 1847

Engineer and surveyor who worked under John Rennie and was engineer of several schemes which never came to fruition.

1802

Kent & Sussex Junction Canal project

Together with Netlam Giles he surveyed the route as part of John Rennie's check of Alexander Sutherland's work.

1811

Stort - Cam Canal projects

He re-surveyed the route with Netlam Giles under the direction of John Rennie.

1811

Wey and Arun Junction Canal

Together with Netlam Giles he surveyed a route for a 37 mile canal from Croydon Canal to Newbridge in the Arun valley, passing through Merstham, Three Bridges, Crawley and Horsham.

1815

Portsmouth & Arundel Canal

Together with Netlam Giles he surveyed a route for the canal on behalf of John Rennie.

1815

Western Union Canal project

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.

1819

River Ivel

He estimates a cost of £11,000 to make the river navigable from Biggleswade to Langford Bridge, £32,000 for continuing to Hitchen and £36,000 to Baldock.

1821

River Ivel

He estimates a cost of £14,000 to make the river navigable from Shefford. It was later found that he had only estimated to Clifton Common and another £1,700 was required to take it to Shefford.

1822

Aire & Calder Navigation - Wakefield Section

He worked on alternative schemes based on John Rennine's plans for deepening the river to 7 feet and to take 100 ton craft.

1822

River Ivel

Around this time he surveys the old part of the navigation and recommends that £3 - 4,000 is needed to put it into a proper state of repair.

1824

Hertford Union Canal (Grand Union)

Was appointed engineer.

1824

Hants & Berks Junction Canal project

He did a survey and proposed a 13 mile canal with a half-mile tunnel, one inclined plane and a number of locks.

1825

London to Portsmouth Ship Canal schemes

He was asked to take the levels for the combined scheme of John Rennie, James Elmes and N W Cundy.

1825

Liverpool Canal project

He proposed a route linking the Bridgewater, Sankey and Mersey & Irwell by a Mersey aqueduct.

1830

Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal

He was appointed engineeer.

1830

Sankey Brook Navigation

Was appointed engineer for the 3.5 mile extension of the navigation to Widnes.

1831

Barnsley Canal

While acting for the Exchequer Bill Loan Commissioners in the matter of the Heck & Wentbridge Railway he was asked by the canal company how much the purchase of the land would cost.

1832

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

While acting for the Exchequer Bill Loan Commissioners in the matter of the Heck & Wentbridge Railway he offered to sell the property to the canal company but they declined.

1834

Basingstoke Canal

He was the engineer for the London & Sothampton Railway whose new line was to pass under the canal, which would cross on a new aqueduct.

1844

River Lee

Assisted by James Griggs, the Lee surveyor, he surveyed the river and recommended that the number of locks be reduced to 17 from the 25 principal locks and 3 half locks. He also recommended line straightening and a 7 feet depth to allow 100-ton barges to use the river.

Netlam Giles

Surveyor. Assistant to John Rennie.

1802

Kent & Sussex Junction Canal project

Together with Francis Giles he surveyed the route as part of John Rennie's check of Alexander Sutherland's work.

1811

Stort - Cam Canal projects

He re-surveyed the route with Francis Giles under the direction of John Rennie.

1811

Wey and Arun Junction Canal

Together with Francis Giles he surveyed a route for a 37 mile canal from Croydon Canal to Newbridge in the Arun valley, passing through Merstham, Three Bridges, Crawley and Horsham.

1813

River Rother (Eastern)

He did a survey on behalf of John Rennie for the canalisation of the river from Newenden bridge through Robertsbridge to near Mayfield.

1815

Portsmouth & Arundel Canal

Together with Francis Giles he surveyed a route for the canal on behalf of John Rennie.

Robert Gilson

Surveyor.

1793

River Foss

He produced an amended survey under the supervision of William Jessop that proposed 5 locks above Sheriff Hutton and 9 below.

John, junior Glynn

Engineer. Son of John, senior Glynn.

August 1784

River Lee

On the death of his father he succeeded to the post of engineer.

John, senior Glynn died August 1784

Engineer. Father of John, junior Glynn.

December 1779

River Lee

Was appointed engineer at £120 a year and was given the task of repairing most of the locks.

John Gott

Engineer.

1760

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

Was appointed engineer by Peter Birt, the lessee of the navigation. Over the next few years he spent about £4,000 on capital improvements and £9,000 on maintenance, mainly on weirs.

February 1774

Aire and Calder Navigation and River Aire

It is reported that he considers the number of craft on the navigation had increased by half in ten years.

Early 1775

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He began cutting the canal as resident engineer under William Jessop.

November 1781

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He was told to errect and finish staithes at Selby immediately. He had already drawn up plans for these.

February 1782

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He was told to put up two more staiths at Selby and to prepare plans and estimates for such warehouses, cranes and lay-bys as he thought necessary there.

July 1782

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He is told to build the Counting House, Warehouse, Crane, Rigging House, Tarring House, Sailmaker's Shop and a place fordepositing old ropes at Selby in accordance with his plans and estimates.

1787

Aire & Calder Navigation - Selby Section

He was told to errect two cranes at Selby, one on the river and oneon the canal with three gantries.

August 1792

Barnsley Canal

Took part in the survey of the route and estimating pior to the first public meeting promoting the canal.

1793

Barnsley Canal

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

John Grantham 1775 - 1833

An engineer who worked for John Rennie on the Shannon.

R B Grantham

Engineer.

1876

River Great Ouse

Around this date he proposed setting up a drainage authority by Act of Parliament to take charge of the little used navigation.

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Jim Shead Waterways Photographer & Writer
Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.
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