Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.

History by Waterway from Grand Union Market Harborough Branch

Grand Union Market Harborough Branch

1793	Authorised by an Act.
1809	Completed to Market Harborough.
1950	IWA National Rally at Market Harborough.

Grand Union Main Line

1811	Wolverton Aqueduct (Over the Great Ouse) opened.
1930	The Grand Union Canal Company embarked on a major modernisation scheme.
1933	In about 1933-37 Bascote top two locks rebuilt as a wide staircase, replacing the single narrow locks.
1979	Stoke Bruerne by K B Sherwood, Published by Nene College, Northampton - Impact of canal on village.
1985	IWA National Festival at Milton Keynes.
1985	Lock, Stock & Barrel, written by Shirley Ginger, - The author's experiences of keeping a shop beside the top lock at Buckby in the early 1980s.
1986	IWA National Festival at Brentford.
2001	IWA National Waterways Festival held at Milton Keynes.

Grand Union Northampton Branch

1793	Authorised under the Grand Junction Canal Act.
1793	The Northampton Branch was authorised as part of the original Grand Junction Act of Parliament.
1796	James Barnes	Surveyed a line for the branch on behalf of the Grand Junction Canal Company and estimated the cost at £25,349.
August 1813	Benjamin Bevan	As engineer responsible he reports progress on the building of the branch. The foundations for the bottom lock were nearly completesome canal was cut and puddled and bricks were being produced for the locks. Oak had been procured and was being sawed, and two lime kilns built.
June 1814	Benjamin Bevan	Reports that there is one mile and three furlongs of canal cutting to be done and ten more locks to be built before the target opening day at the end of October.
November 1814	Benjamin Bevan	Reports that there are still seven locks and over half a mile of cutting to be done. The revised openning date was put back to March 1815.
1815	The Northampton Branch was opened in May 1815.

Grand Union Paddington Branch

1795	Authorised under the Grand Junction Canal Act.
1801	The Paddington Branch is opened.
1963	IWA National Rally at Little Venice.

Grand Union Regents Canal

See Priestley's Navigable Rivers and Canals for more information.

1773	Robert Whitworth	He was aked by the City of London to survey a line for a canal from Moorfields to Waltham Abbey and from Moorfields to Marylebone. The line he proposed followed in part the same line as the Regent's Canal was to take, particularly in the curve to Islington but was to pass under the Pentonville Road and over the New River near Sadler's Wells.
1812	Regent Canal Company formed.
1812	Peter Potter	Appearing for E B Portman in oposition to the Regent's Canal Bill he estimated the cost for the canal as £506,697.
10 August 1812	James Morgan	He was appointed engineer with a salary of £1,000 a year.
April 1814	Sir William Congreve	A report on his "invention for saving lockage water" which he had patented the previous year. This he described as "the hydro-pneumatic lock".
7 June 1815	Sir William Congreve	He reported that there were some leaks in his hydro-pneumatic locks but every other part had been proved. This did not convince everyone and his locks were replaced by single conventional locks the next year.
1817	Thomas Telford	He surveyed the canal on behalf of the Exchequer Bill Loan Commissioners who agreed to lend £200,000 for the completion of the canal if £100,000 was raised by shares and that the company supplied any additional money needed to complete the work.
1820	Opened.
1835	James Morgan	He left the company.
1845	William Radford	While serving as company engineer he suggested building a railway along the canal to link the London northern railway termini with the docks. Sufficient subscriptions for this scheme were not raised.
July 1846	James Meadows Rendel	He was asked by the company to report on a scheme for converting their canal to a railway. He estimated it would cost £685,000 to build a line from Paddington station to the Regent's Canal Dock, using the line of the canal where ever possible, with a branch to the West India Dock.
1859	John Fowler	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.
1859	William Radford	He and John Fowler 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.
1955	Canal Cats by Cicely Fraser-Simpson , Published by Blackie & Son Ltd . A small book, set on the Regents Canal, that will apeal to children and cat lovers
1961	London's Canal by Herbert Spencer , Edition: 1st edition 103 pages, Published by Putnam & Co. Ltd . An Illustrated History of the Regent's Canal.
1977	Discovering London's Canals by Derek Pratt , Published by Shire Publications Ltd.

Grand Union Slough Branch

1879	Authorised by an Act.
1882	Opened in 1882 the Slough Branch the last GU branch to be opened.

Grand Union Wendover Branch

1794	Authorised by the Grand Junction Canal Act.
1799	Wendover Branch was fully open.

Grand Western Canal

See Priestley's Navigable Rivers and Canals for more information.

1792	John Longbotham	He did a second survey of the line for the canal, Robert Whitworth having done the first.
1792	Robert Whitworth	He surveyed the line a proposed a route from Topsham on the Exe estuary up the Clyst valley (with a short branch to the Exeter Road near Sowton) past Clyst Hydon up the Culm valley by Cullompton (served by another short branch) then south of Sampford Peverall where there was a brach to Tiverton. The canal continued past Runnington notth of Wellington to Bradford and the River at Taunton about half a mile above the Tone Bridge. Water was to be supplied by a feeder from Culmstock and two reserviors beyond and two more reserviors north of Burlescombe. The estimated cost was £166,724 including £22,229 for the Cullompton and Tiverton branches.
1793	Hugh Henshall	He seems to have worked for William Jessop when he was advising on the line of the canal.
1793	Robert Mylne	He revised the line surveyed by John Longbotham and his work was in turn used by Hugh Henshall working on behalf of William Jessop in his task of deciding between the routes.
28 November 1793	William Jessop	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	John Rennie	He, with two assistants, reviewed the line and suggested many changes to William Jessop and John Longbotham's route.
1796	Promoted under Act.
April 1810	John Rennie	As company engineer he starts the construction of the canal near Holcombe Rogus.
1811	Promoted under Act.
1812	Promoted under Act.
1812	John Rennie	After it was decided only to complete the canal between Holcomb and Tiverton he encountered many unforseen difficulties and expenses.
1814	Opened.
August 1827	Charles Dean	He made the first suggestion that the canal should form part of a small ship canal to link Bridgwater to Exeter using new and existing canals at a cost of £500,000 for a navigation taking vessels up to 80-ton or £700,000 for up to 100-ton craft.
1 May 1829	James Green	He presented to the shareholders his idea for extending the canal to Taunton as a tub-boat canal with inclined planes. He was then asked to make a survey on the basis of the line set out in the 1796 Act.
Early August 1829	John Easton	Together with James Green he completed a survey for the extension of the canal to the Bridgewater & Taunton Canal.
March 1830	James Green	He reported that the canal would cost £61,324 with seven lifts and one inclined plane.
Mid 1834	James Green	He reported that to prevent alterations of the levels of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal affecting the working of the boat lifts (which depended on constant levels) locks would be needed at Lowdwells and Taunton.
June 1835	James Green	The committee criticise him in their annual report because of problems with the boat lifts, saying he had "with too much confidence on theoretical principles, never subjected it to a full and fair trial". Five lifts were working on the open part of the canal to Wellington.
Early 1836	William Alexander Provis	He was asked to report on the lifts and Wellisford inclined plane on the as yet un-openned canal. The lifts were satisfactory but the plane was not. He thought that the water filled buckets used to counter balance the cradle and boat should be 25 tons rather than 10.
27 January 1836	James Green	He is replaced as engineer after problems with one of the lifts and a complete failure of the Wellisford inclined plane.
1838	Taunton extension opened.
28 June 1838	James Easton	The canal was reopenned using his steam engine powered inclined plane at Wellisford.
1864	Abandoned from Lowdwells to Taunton.
1962	Abandoned from Lowdwells to Tiverton.
1973	The Grand Western Canal by Helen Harris, Published by David & Charles - Inland Waterways History series.

General Warde's (Dafen) Canal

1770	Probably opened prior to 1770.

Gwauncaegurwen Canal

1757	Existed in 1757 carrying coal and men.

General Warde's (Yspitty) Canal

1786	John Smith	Deed granting him lands including "navigable cut or canal through the common called DoleVawr y Bynie, in the hamlet of Berwick ... for the carrying of coals from part of the said lands to be shipped at the river Burry. He now proposed to open a new colliery near Dafen Bridge and intended to make a new improved shipping place at Yspitty, he was authorised by this deed to enlarge his existing canal and extend westwards.
1797	Charles Smith	Inherited this canal in joint ownership with his brother Henry.
1801	Charles Smith	Sold his interests in this canal, together with his brother Henry, to Major-General Warde.

Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal

See Priestley's Navigable Rivers and Canals for more information.

20 December 1777	Robert Whitworth	He proposed a canal from Ledbury to Gloucester.
1789	Richard Hall	He made a survey and proposed a line for the canal from the Severn at The Haw above Gloucester through Tirley, Corse, Staunton, Redmarley d'Abitot, Dymock, Ashperton, Yarkshill, Lugwardine and Tupsley to Hereford.
Spring 1790	Josiah Clowes	He was appointed engineer.
April 1790	Josiah Clowes	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.
1791	Authorised by an Act.
1791	Robert Whitworth	He was asked to estimate for a canal on a reduced scale but was too busy to come.
14 July 1791	Josiah Clowes	He was asked to estimate for a canal "on a reduced scale" by the first shareholder's meeting.
September 1792	Hugh Henshall	He re-surveyed the line of the canal and suggested that the draught of boats should be increased by a foot to 4 feet 6 inches.
June 1793	Josiah Clowes	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.
16 December 1793	John Carne	It was reported that his cutting machine had removed 1,007 cubic yards of earth in 7 days, using eleven men and four horses.
1794	Some of the canal opened.
1795	Was open from Over to Newent (16 miles and 13 locks).
Early 1795	Robert Whitworth	He was appionted engineer.
June 1797	Robert Whitworth	He recommended a dam across the river at Over to prevent silt getting into the canal.
1812	Ralph Walker	He was probably the Walker called in to advise on increasing water supply to the summit around this time.
1838	Ralph Walker	He made a survey and supported the original Parliamentary line and tunnels rather than the proposed alterations.
1845	The final 18 miles to Hereford was opened.
1881	Closed.
1979	The Hereford & Gloucester Canal by D E Bick, Published by Pound House.

Hants & Berks Junction Canal project

1824

Francis Giles

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

Hackney Canal

1843	Opened.
1844	Sir John Rennie	He was retained by the Teignmouth Harbour Commissioners to ensure that the embankment proposed by the South Devon Railway did not affect their navigation and that the bridges at Newton over the river and canal were large enough.
1928	Traffic ceased.

Helston Canal project

Summer 1796	Robert Fulton	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.
Summer 1796	Charles Moody	Together with the engineer, Robert Fulton, proposed a 14 mile tub-boat canal across Cornwall from The Helford River near Gweek to The Hayle River below St Erth.

High Peak Junction Canal project

Mid 1810	John Rennie	He surveyed a 38¼ mile line with a 149 feet rise from the extended Peak Forrest Canal at Chappel Milton and a fall of 530 feet to the Cromford Canal. From Chapel Milton through a 2¾ mile tunnel to Edale, then down the Hope and Derwent valleys. Crossing the Derwent near baslow it ran through a one-mile tunnel to the Wye valley near Bakewell, so avoiding Chatsworth, and on to Great Rowsley before following the Derwent to Matlock.Another tunnel (1½ miles long) took the line to the Derwent Aqueduct on the Cromford Canal.
1813	William III Fairbank	Did the survey for the proposed canal.
September 1813	William Chapman	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.
1824	Thomas Telford	He was asked to report on the scheme.
1824	William III Fairbank	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.

Hopkin's Canal

1825	Start date unknown but on a manuscript map of 1825.
1825	William Hopkin	Manuscript map shows this canal, built by Hopkins, who had earlier worked on the Stepney Estate.

Horncastle Canal

See Priestley's Navigable Rivers and Canals for more information.

1791	Bullivant	Produced a plan for the proposed navigation.
30 June 1791	William Jessop	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.
1792	Authorised by an Act, which included the purchase of the Tattersall Canal.
1792	Samuel Dickinson	Re-surveyed the line of the canal, with Robert Stickney, making minor amendments to earlier proposals.
1792	Robert Stickney	Re-surveyed the line of the canal, with Samuel Dickinson, making minor amendments to earlier proposals.
1792	Henry Eastburn	Invited to be joint egineer of the Horncastle and Sleaford navigations but declined the post.
Mid 1792	William Crawley	Was appointed engineer jointly for the navigation and for the Sleaford Navigation.
Spring 1792	William Jessop	He gave evidence to the parliamentary committee considering the Bill.
October 1792	William Crawley	Resigned as engineer.
15 October 1799	John Rennie	He reported that on the previous day he had carried out a survey and that the navigation between Dalderby and the Witham was crooked and imperfect. He recommended retaining the navigation on the West side of the Bain and making an independent cut 30 feet wide at the surface, 28 feet wide at the bottom and 3½ feet deep at the estimated cost of £8,291.
1800	Authorised by an Act to raise extra funds.
12 November 1801	W Walker	At a meeting it was recommended that he (being one of the shareholders not present) "from his great knowledge of mathmatics and numberless other reasons is a very proper man to superintend the execution of the works necessary to complete the canal".
1802	Opened.
1878	The last boats came to Horncastle.
1889	The canal was disused by 1889.

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.