11.7.1856 154. Read a
letter dated 7th inst from the Moira Colliery Co asking permission
to navigate a steam tug from Braunston to London with a light load of coals
aboard and towing other boats, stating that the object is to try their rights
to navigate the tug in question over the Ashby de la Zouch Canal and also to
try the feasibility of adopting the Tug system through locking upon the Grand
Junction Canal… Resolved that the permission asked for be granted.
19.12.1856 227. Read a
letter dated 15th inst from Mr James Harrison who is desirous of
putting a steam tug upon the Canals stating that the Coventry Canal Co had
appointed a deputation to meet the Directors of the Midland Canal Co respecting
the resolution of the latter company not to permit Steam Tugs to navigate the
Ashby de la Zouch Canal and proposing that a deputation from the Grand Junction
Co should join the Coventry Canal Co’s deputation…Resolved that Mr Harrison be
informed that the Committee do not consider the object of the Coventry Canal Co
would be furthered by delegates attending the proposed meeting on behalf of the
Company, but that the Company will give every facility to the Steam Tug passing
over the Grand Junction Canal, provided
it does not injure the works of the Canal and also that the Committee has every
inclination to assist Mr Harrison in his efforts to accomplish the same on the
Ashby de la Zouch Canal
13.3.1857 269. Read a
letter dated 10th inst from Mr
Case stating that the Directors of the Midland Canal Co are determined
not to let a steam boat pass over the Ashby de la Zouch Canal.
3.4.1857 280. Mr
Rogers do wait upon the Secretary of the Regents Canal Co with a view to
prevent the Steam Boat belonging to that company plying in and out of the
17.4.1857 282. Read a
letter dated 11th inst from Mr Woodcock, Solicitor to the Coventry
Canal Co stating that he had obtained Counsel’s opinion upon the case having
reference to the Right of the public to use Steam Power on the Ashby de la
Zouch Canal…Resolved that Mr Woodcock be informed that the Company will pay one
third of the expenses of an application to the Court of Chancery for an
injunction to restrain the Midland Railway Co.
284. Mr
Rogers reported that the Regents Canal Co had directed that their Steam Tug
should not pass in and out of
8.1.1858 Noted that there was
an objection to the injunction to restrain by the Midland Railway Co.
23.7.1858 Application to take a steamboat over the
7.10.1859 The Chairman reported that he had visited with Mr
Lake, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Forth & Clyde Canal for the
purpose of inspecting the Steam Tugs at work there. Mr Lake’s report having been read & the cost
of fitting up one of the Company’s boats with engine and screw having been
estimated at about £300, it was determined to proceed with the experiment and
instructions were given to Mr Lake to put himself in communication with the
Engineers of the Forth & Clyde and the Leeds and Liverpool Canals.
4.12.1860 In consequence of the favourable results of the
working of the new Steam Tug and Carrying Boat.
Resolved that three new iron boats, three new wooden boats with iron
sterns and three new wooden boats with iron sheets at the stern all fitted with
steam engines and screws similar to those in the Pioneer be
ordered according to the drawings and specifications to be furnished by Mr Burch…Resolved
also that there be built two iron tug boats of greater power for the purpose of
conveying the trade on the Canal to and from Paddington and Cowley Lock
15.3.1861 Read letter from Mr Morris upon the subject of Steam Power on Canals. Resolved that Mr Morris be informed that the
committee are much obliged for many suggestions which his letter contains and
which had been anticipated by them.
2.8.1861 The Committee having taken into consideration that
payments will shortly be due on account of the new steam tugs and it not being
deemed expedient to realise any of the securities held by the Carrying
Establishment…Resolved that the bankers be requested to advance the Carrying
Establishment if necessary the sum of £4000.
27.9.1861 The Chairman reported that in consequence of the
frequent failures of those engines supplied to the Company by Mabon, Gaulton
& Co, he had given notice that he would not receive any more on account of
the Company.
Mr W Mabon who had undertaken to deliver 12
boilers, having only delivered 5 and Mr Burch having reported that he could not
receive those offered to him in consequence of their not standing the
test. The Chairman reported that in this
case also he had to refuse to receive more.
140. The
chairman reported that on the 6th inst an accident had occurred on
board one of the Company’s steam boats in the Blisworth Tunnel, by which two
men, Webb and Edward Broadbent had been suffocated and two men severely burnt
and that every possible attention had been given to the men injured who were
now in the Northampton Infirmary and that the sum of £45 had been given by the
Company to the widows of the deceased persons.
141.
Blisworth Tunnel Shaft uncovered.
Read a letter from Mr Cherry that he had uncovered a shaft in the centre
of the Blisworth Tunnel and that he was corresponding with Mr Simpson, the
agent of the Duke of Grafton with a view to opening two more
146.
Letter from Mr Cherry. Now two
more shafts are open in Blisworth Tunnel and one in Braunston.
21.3.1862 The Chairman reported that Mr Rogers and himself made
such arrangements as enabled them (as well as Messrs Tildesley, Pocock and
Newell) to witness an experiment on the Paddington Arm on Wednesday last made
with the new Steam Tug Rose of 14 horsepower, and that the
following particulars shew the result of the experiment, viz that the tug
started from the Railway Bridge which crosses the Canal near Bulls Bridge at
11.30am with a train of 8 boats and 1 barge containing a weight of 289 tons and
that she arrived at the Paddington Toll House, a distance of 12½ miles a few
minutes after 6 0’clock pm, having an average speed (including two stoppages
which together lasted 30 minutes) 0f nearly 2 miles per hour and this too,
under unfavourable circumstances as to the arrangement of the boats, etc.
6.7.1870 32. Read a
letter dated 4th inst from Mr Hughes which reported an application
that Steam Power be applied at the tunnels at Blisworth and Braunston in lieu
of the present system of legging. Also a letter from Mr Thomas of the 5th
instant on same subject.
20.7.1870 4. That Mr
Thomas do take the necessary steps to proceed with the scheme at Braunston
Tunnel and should it prove effective, instructions will be given him regards
Blisworth.
14.9.1870 56. The
Chairman (The Honourable E Howe Brown) reported that he had on Thursday last8th
inst attended the trial of the wire rope in use at the Braunston Tunnel for
hauling the boats through and which he considered highly satisfactory. Mr Thomas, being present , was directed to
report to the Chairman when it would be in full operation and ready for the
inspection of the Committee.
12.10.1870 64. The
Committee inspected the working of the wire rope used for the purpose of
passing the boats through the Braunston Tunnel and have pleasure in reporting
that they consider it very satisfactory and Mr Thomas was directed to report
what he considered necessary to be done with the leggers, most of whom are very
old men and had been employed there a great many years….Resolved that it be
recommended to the General Committee that a charge of 1/- per boat be made for
passing through the Tunnel, such boat to have the use of the wire.
6.12.1870 77. Read
report from Mr Thomas respecting the working of the Wire Rope in Braunston
Tunnel and it appearing that in consequence of the friction caused by the many
curves in the tunnel and the great strain upon the rope, the working had proved
a failure and he considered that unless the maker of the rope would guarantee
its working for 18 months, it would be useless to proceed with the scheme. Read
also a letter from Mr Hodgson of the Wire Rope system of transport on the
Brighton Downs declining such a guarantee
….Resolved that the scheme be abandoned.
26.4.1871 126. Mr Mercer
reported that a tug was now at work at the Braunston Tunnel and that the same
charges were being made as at the Blisworth Tunnel viz: Boats with cargoes of 25 tons or upwards
each, 1/6d each way. Boats with cargoes
of under 25 tons, 1/3. Empty
boats1/-. And that the services of the leggers
would no longer be required…..Resolved that a weekly allowance of 5/- each be
made to Mr Benjamin, 75 years of age and 44 years at the tunnel. R Thomas, 65 years of age and 38 years at the
tunnel and John Fox 64 years and 19 years at the tunnel.
6.6.1871 Letter from Mr Cherry reporting that some of the
boatmen refused to avail themselves of the Tugs in use at the Blisworth and
Braunston Tunnels….Resolved that all boats using Blisworth and Braunston
Tunnels between the hours of 4 am and 8 pm be hauled through the same by the
Company’s tug at the following scale of charges viz : Boats with cargoes of 25 tons or upwards,
1/6d each way. Boats with cargoes of
under 25 tons, 1/3. Empty boats1/-. Any boatman refusing to have his boat so
hauled be charged a sum not exceeding one penny per ton for the weight on
board.