Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.

History by Waterway from English & Bristol Channels Ship Canal

English & Bristol Channels Ship Canal

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

1768	James Brindley	He was asked by a group of Taunton men to survey a line for an inter-channel canal but the survey was done by his assistant, Robert Whitworth.
1768	Robert Whitworth	He did a survey after James Brindley, for whom he was an assistant, was asked by a group of Taunton men to survey a line for an inter-channel canal.
1810	John Rennie	W Bond and J Dean surveyed the line of the canal under his direction.
1810	W Bond	Together with J Dean he surveyed the line of the canal under Rennie's direction.
1810	J Dean	Together with W Bond he surveyed the line of the canal under Rennie's direction.
1823	W Bond	He and J Dean oppose a rival tub boat canal, proposed by James Green, as an alternative to Rennie's plans for a ship canal.
1823	J Dean	He and W Bond oppose a rival tub boat canal, proposed by James Green, as an alternative to Rennie's plans for a ship canal.
1824	James Green	He took part in a survey of the route, under the leadership of Thomas Telford, and signed the plans.
Mid August 1824	Thomas Telford	He published a preliminary report on the scheme.
December 1824	Thomas Telford	He issued the full report of his survey, conducted with George Nicholls and James Green, proposing a 15 feet deep ship canal from Storford to Beer, through Creech St Michael, Ilminster and Chard, with 30 locks taking 200 ton ships.The estimated cost was £1,712,844 including two harbours.
Autumn 1825	James Green	He surveyed a line for the Taunton branch of the canal.

Ellesmere & Chester Canal

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

1813	Formed by the merging of the Ellesmere Canal Company and the Chester Canal Company.
1834	Thomas Telford	He recommended that the company make large improvements to facilities for traders at Ellesmre Port.
September 1843	William Cubitt	The completion of improvements to the locks and docks at Ellesmere Port for which he was engineer. These included a sea-lock leading out of the tidal basin into a separate still-water dock, 435 feet by 139 feet behind the warehouses, a second flight of canal locks and other improvements.
1846	Taken over by the Shropshire Union.

Exeter & Crediton Navigation

1792	Proposed.
1792	Thomas Gray	He surveyed a proposed line from Four Mills, Crediton, to the River Exe just below Exe Bridge.
1800	Robert Cartwright	Surveyed the line of the proposed navigation in preparation for the Bill to be presented to parliament.
1801	Authorised by an Act.
1818	Abandoned.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal

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

1793	Robert, junior Whitworth	He and John Ainslie were commissioned to make a survey and suggest four possible routes between Leith and Broomielaw on the Clyde.
1793	John Ainslie	He and Robert Whitworth junior were commissioned to make a survey and suggest four possible routes between Leith and Broomielaw on the Clyde.
1797	John Rennie	He was asked to comment on four proposed lines for the canal. He responded proposing a fifth line further north through Ratho, Winchburgh, Linlithgow, Falkirk, Cumbernauld and Hillhead or Drumpellier.
1798	John Rennie	He reported on the two lines being considered at the time - his northern route and the Baton-moss line that ran by Ratho, Midcalder, Baton-moss and Cleland. He supported the Baton-moss line which was claimed to have inexhaustible supplies of coal.
December 1814	John Rennie	He explained to the committee his plan for taking branches from his 'level line' into the counties of Ayr, Lanark, Haddington, Berwick and Roxburgh.
April 1815	Thomas Telford	He commented favourably on Hugh Barid's plan the canal, particularly on the line taken, but recommended that the number of locks should be reduced by joining the Forth & Clyde Canal at Lock 20 instead of at Camelon.
1817	Authorised by an Act.
March 1820	Thomas Telford	It was reported that on his joint advice with Hugh Barid the three aquaducts (over the Avon, Almond and the Water of Leith at Slateford) were being built in an "unusually substantial and improved manner".
1822	Opened.
1916	The Edinburgh & Glasgow Union Canal. By P Bonthron. First published.
1965	Abandoned.

English & Bristol Channels Junction Canal project

1821

James Green

Made a survey of the route and recommended a tub-boat canal with 5 inclined planes and 4 tunnels.

English & Bristol Channel canal schemes

1769	Robert Whitworth	He looked at a proposal for a canal from the Parrett near Langport to Seaton, but not connecting to the sea there.
1793	Josiah Easton	Surveyed a line from the English Channel at Axmouth near Seaton through Axminster, Chard, Ilminster, Creech St Michael, Bridgwater, Huntspill and Backwell near Nailsea.

Ellesmere Canal

1791	William Turner	At a meeting on 31st August he suggested an alternative line for the canal which would make use of the Chester Canal and then cut westwards near Whitchurch. Later that year he became one of William Jessop's assistants on the canal.
31 August 1791	John Duncombe	At a meeting at the Royal Oak in Ellesmere the estimate he produced with Joseph Turner was presented. They estimated £67,456 for the main line from Netherpool on the Mersey to the River Dee then on to Overton and Shrewsbury. Branches to Llangollen, Bersham and Llanmynech brought the total to £171,098.
31 August 1791	Joseph Turner	At a meeting at the Royal Oak in Ellesmere the estimate he produced with John Duncombe was presented. They estimated £67,456 for the main line from Netherpool on the Mersey to the River Dee then on to Overton and Shrewsbury. Branches to Llangollen, Bersham and Llanmynech brought the total to £171,098.
1792	John Duncombe	Assisted William Jessop in deciding on a line for the canal.
August 1792	William Jessop	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.
1793	Authorised by an Act.
1793	William Turner	Prepared plans and estimates for the aqueducts at Pontcysllte and pont faen, together with Arthur Davies and John Duncombe.
1793	Arthur Davies	Prepared plans and estimates for the aqueducts at Pontcysllte and pont faen, together with WilliamTurner and John Duncombe.
1793	John Duncombe	Prepared plans and estimates for the aqueducts at Pontcysllte and pont faen, together with WilliamTurner and Arthur Davies.
Early 1793	Thomas Denson	Was assistant to John Duncombe, the engineer helping William Jessop with the canal.
February 1793	John Duncombe	Was appointed to assist William Jessop in the construction of the canal.
30 October 1793	Thomas Telford	Made General Agent, Surveyor, Engineer, Architect and Overlooker of Works for the canal which had just been authorised at a salary of £300 a year. This was a pat-time post under William Jessop, the Principal Engineer. He retained his post as Surveyor of Public Works for the County of Shropshire.
1795	The Chester to Ellesmere Port section completed.
14 July 1795	William Jessop	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	William Jessop	He approved Thomas Telford's plans for the revised line between Ruabon and Chester.
August 1795	Thomas Telford	William Jessop appoved his plans for the Ruabon to Chester line of the canal.
1800	William Jessop	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.
Before April 1800	John Rennie	He reported on the experimental boat lift that had been on trial on the canal.
1801	Chirk Aqueduct opened, 70 feet high.
1801	William Jessop	He left the post of consultant engineer.
1801	Thomas Denson	He was resident engineer for the canal.
1805	Pontcysylite Aqueduct - 121 feet above the River Dee. Opened.
1808	The navigable feeder from Trevor to the Dee at Llantisilo completed what is now the Llangollen Canal.
1819	George W Buck	Appointed engineer of the Eastern Branch.
March 1819	John Williams	The western line, which he built as resident engineer, was completed to Newtown, a distance of 7 miles 3 furlongs and with six locks.
1823	George W Buck	Carried out extensive repairs on the Vyrnwy Aqeduct that had every arch fractued due to it originally being constucted from sub-standard materials. It was strengthened using iron bands.
December 1832	George W Buck	Was appointed as clerk and engineer of the Western Branch of the canal with instructions to investigate the accounts. He previously worked on the Eastern Branch.
December 1833	George W Buck	He left the company to become an assitant to Robert Stephenson, having had an interest in railways from the early days of steam.
1975	The Ellesmere and Llangollen Canal. An Historical Background by E A Wilson , Published by Phillimore & Co.

Emmet's Canal

1782	Opened about 1782.
1815	Not used after 1815.

Earl of Ashburnham's Canal

1796	Canal being built, or perhaps extended.

Eardington Forges Canal

1782	Opened.
1889	Closed when the forges ceased work.

Erewash Canal

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

Autumn 1776	John Smith	He surveyed a line from the Trent below Sawley and just above the mouth of the Soar past Long Eaton, up the west bank of the Erewash river to a crossing aboveIlkeston. From there it followed the east bank to Langley Mill, a total rise of 108 feet 8½ inches according to his survey.
1777	Authorised by an Act.
1777	John Varley	He was appointed engineer at a salary of £220 a year.
August 1778	John Varley	The top lock had to be taken down and rebuilt following his error in the levels. He was ordered to pay the £78 costs less the value of the bricks.
1779	Fully opened.
May 1780	John Varley	He was dismissed following his failure to keep proper accounts for land and damage compensation payments, and mistakes in the levels for the top lock.
1932	Became part of the Grand Union.

Exeter Ship Canal

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

1539	The oldest post Roman canal in England, authorised by an Act.
1563	Work started.
1563	John Trew	He was engaged to make a canal alongside the River Exe for a fee of £225 and a share of the tolls. This was the first canal to be built in Britain since the Roman occupation.
1566	Opened.
1675	Richard Hurd	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.
1698	William Bayley	Agreed to deepen the canal to 14 feet to take seagoing craft.
May 1699	William Bayley	Absconded with some of the city's money, leaving the canal impassable.
1701	Major reconstruction of the canal was opened.
1818	James Green	He was asked to report on possible improvements to the canal.
October 1820	James Green	He made his report on the state of the canal and was asked to dredge and straighten the channel and to repair the Double Locks.
Late 1821	James Green	He finished the dredging, straightening and repair work on the canal.
1824	James Green	He recommended that the canal should be extended 2 miles down the estuary to Turf so that craft drawing up to 12 feet could enter the canal on all tides.
1829	A further Act was passed for this, the oldest post Roman canal in England.
1830	Major reconstruction of the canal was opened.
1984	The Exeter Canal by Kenneth R Clew, Published by Phillimore & Co.

Forth & Clyde Canal

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

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

1726	First surveyed.
1764	Second survey.
1768	Authorised by an Act.
1768	Thomas Yeoman	He surveyed and reported on the line of the canal.
Spring 1768	James Brindley	Surveyed a route proposing 4 feet deep canal with lock dues of 1.5 old pence a ton.
June 1785	Robert Whitworth	He became the cheif engineer.
July 1785	Robert Whitworth	In a report he proposed that the navigable cut at Grangemouth should be deepened and that the upper end should be widened to relieve pressure on the dam.
August 1785	Robert Whitworth	He reported on the proposed extension of the canal fromStockingfield to the Clyde agreeing (with May Millar and John Laurie) that the western entrance should be at Bowling. He estimated the cost of the Kelvin Aqueduct as £2,000 and the whole as £56,456 or £58,901 the depth were increased to 8 feet.
September 1785	Robert Whitworth	He suggested that the Townhead reservior and the smaller lochs on the canal route should be raised and that the central part of Dullatur Bog should be made into a reservior by building embankments if the canal depth was to be increased.
October 1785	Robert Whitworth	He proposed three new reserviors to supply water by way of the Monkland Canal and that the locks should be made for the Monkland Canal at Blackhill, and a cut to connect Monkland Basin to the end of the Forth & Clyde's Glasgow branch.
August 1786	Robert Whitworth	He reported again on water-supplies for the deepening of the canal. The canal could already draw 2,545 lockfuls annually from the Bishop, Woodend, Gartsherrie and Johnston Lochs, 2,245 lockfuls from the Townhead Reservoir and 300 lockfuls from Possil Loch. He estimated that the three reservoirs east of the Monkland would cost f4,466 and fully satisfy their water requirements. The aqueduct which was to take the water from the River Calder to the east end of the Monkland was to cost £561 and a canal 4½ ft deep from the Monkland Basin to Hamiltonhill was estimated as £2,407.
April 1789	Robert Whitworth	His constant supervision of work on the nearly completed Kelvin Aqueduct was praised by Patrick Colquhoun, the canal's agent, in a letter to shareholders.
1790	Opened.
July 1790	Robert Whitworth	The offical opening of the canal took place and the Scots Magazine reported "In the course of the voyage from Glasgow to Bowling Bay, the track-boat passed along that stupendous bridge, the great aqueduct over the Kelvin, 400 ft in length, exhibiting to the spectators in the valley below the singular and new object of a vessel navigating 70 ft over their heads - a feature of this work which gives it a pre-eminence over everything of a similar nature in Europe, and does infinite honour to the professional skill of that able engineer Robert Whitworth Esq, under whose direction the whole of this great work has been completed in a very masterly manner".
1814	John Rennie	He prepared a plan for the extension of Grangemouth Docks which was estimated to cost £125,000.
1916	The Forth & Clyde Canal. By P Bonthron. First published.
1962	Closed.

Forth & Cart Canal

1836	Authorised by an Act.
1840	Completed.
1855	Transferred to the Forth & Clyde company.
1893	Closed.

Flint Coal Canal

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.