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Documents on File

Census Marsworth                                                      

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5.4.1891

Port of London Gauging 9441

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14.9.1894

Letter Turrell/Millner re paddle post                             

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7.8.1905

Letter FMC/Millner re complaint                                              

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18.4.1907

Letter FMC/Millner re reckless working in tunnel              

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            30.4.1907

GJ Gauging 11679                                                       

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6.2.1911

Letter FMC/Millner re delay                                        

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8.9.1915

 

 

Millner Letters

 

 

1.9.1896                  Your steamer PHOENIX and the L&BCCo steamer BUFFALO blocked off all traffic at Stoke yesterday for 24 hours and delayed some 40 boats.  I have a report from our tug master on the 28th ulto that your new steamer PRINCESS ran into the company’s Blisworth Tug on the 2.o/c turn and also the boat behind and broke the tug’s towrope and turned the boats across the tunnel. Millner/FMC

 

1.9.1896                  I beg to report that the traffic at Stoke top lock was blocked for 24 hours from 5.40 am yesterday until 6.00 am this morning and was caused by the L&BCC’s steamer BUFFALO Captain W Edwards and FM&C Ltd steamer PHOENIX Captain A Humphrey running into the lock and refusing to give way.  The PHOENIX caught the BUFFALO in Blisworth Tunnel.  I am informed Edwards signalled to the PHOENIX (which had a perishable cargo) to pass when outside the tunnel.  Instead of doing so he jammed the PHOENIX and broke his own tow line – Edwards then ran his own steamer (BUFFALO) into the lock and left his butty boat behind – the PHOENIX followed and both steamers remained in the lock.  Edwards (BUFFALO) was ordered by the lock keeper to give way but he refused. 

 I was at Braunston in the morning and could not get to Stoke until 3.30 pm.  I tried both persuasion and force to remove Edwards and it was not till I got there this morning that he would give way which he did by pulling out of the lock.  Some 40 boats were delayed.  I shall be glad of your immediate instructions whether I am to take out a summons against Edwards or both Captains under Penal Enactment 30 and claim full penalty.  I am, yours faithfully,  T W Millner (to GC Thomas, Bulbourne)

 

4.9.1896                  Stoppage at Stoke:  In reply to yours of the 3rd inst, I have taken out summonses against the  Captains of the Steamers BUFFALO and PHOENIX under the 89th section of the Company’s act and a third summons on the BUFFALO for strapping round the lock gate balance on our endeavouring to force the boat out of the lock (under Bye Law 13. 

                                Edwards has been troublesome for some time and only a fortnight ago I gave orders for him to be watched when passing Buckby and Braunston.

I had instructed Mr Whitton, magistrates clerk, of Towcester, before receipt of your letter.

With regard to the stoppage I tried to remove the BUFFALO out of the lock, but the driver left working the engine and we were unable to clear the gates.  I then called on the Police to assist us but to no purpose.  If I had obtained the necessary horses and men to force the boat out of the lock we should have had a breach of the peace and no police to assist us.

The case will be heard on the 22nd inst at Towcester and Mr Whitton would like a copy of the company’s act to present before the magistrates.  Yrs obediently TW Millner (to Hubert Thomas, 21 Surrey Street)

 

11.9.1896                In reply to yours of the 10th inst.  Humphries , the Captain of the PHOENIX saw me on Sunday morning respecting his summons and I told him I could do nothing for him but that he might write or see you if he wanted any consideration. I do not attach so much blame to him as the lock was his and the stoppage was caused by Edwards.  I think a small fine before the magistrates would meet Humphries case but Edwards I should like to make an example of and get off the Canal if possible.  Both men have had the summonses served on them. (Millner to Hubert Thomas 21 Surrey St)

 

11.9.1896                Stoppage at Stoke:  The Captains of the Steamers BUFFALO and PHOENIX have been served with summonses and the case will be heard on the 22nd inst at Towcester – Mr Whitton is Solicitor for the Company.  Can you tell me if the Company  have any previous cases against Edwards of…………..told he was the………..that broke the padlock off Marsworth Lock gates and assaulted the lock keeper Cotterill.   Millner/GC Thomas)

 

16.9. 1896               When will it be convenient for you to see me respecting the above case, which I understand will be heard next Tuesday.  (Millner/ Whitton)

 

22.9.1896                I beg to report that this case was heard atTowcester today with Lord Eaton as Chairman of the Magistrates.  At Lord Euston’s suggestion Mr Whitton withdrew  the summons against Humphrey and Edwards was fined 20/- for strapping round the lock gate………..20/- for obstructing the traffic with an additional 12/- costs.  Our case against Edwards was only partially heard when the Chairman intimated the bench had heard sufficient evidence and had made up their minds.  It would be a good thing to get the Edwards family removed from the canal if possible.  (Millner/H Thomas)

 

22.9.1896                I have to report that this case was heard at Towcester today.  At Lord Euston’s suggestion, Mr Whitton withdrew the summons against Humphrey.  Edwards was fined 20/- for strapping round the gate balance and 20/- for stopping the traffic with an additional 12/- costs.

 

24.9.1896                I beg to return the Company’s Act. I should like to ask for a spare copy of this as the one belonging to this office has been taken away.  Referring to the stoppage, I requested Humphrey to pull out of the lock after I found it impractical to shift Edwards.

                                In case of another stoppage and the boatmen refuse to give way shall I be right in using force to clear the traffic.I beg to thank you for the sheets of Bye Laws and a few copies in book form would be useful.  The original 200 yard distance posts are gone at Stoke top and bottom  and also at Cosgrove and Fenny.  Will you please say if you object to my replacing them.  Regarding the one for the top of Stoke do you think it advisable to refix this post bearing in mind the following notice which is posted at Stoke Pass Office and also at Braunston..

                                                                                                GJCCo

                                                                                                Notice

                                All boats leaving the south end of Blisworth Tunnel are to take their turn of the locks in the same order as tugged through the tunnel.  

By order

(Millner/H Thomas)

 

 

7.8.1905                  Yours of the 5th re Cast Iron P(addle) Post.  This left Lock 99 last night per steamer PHOENIX for Braunston.  I have no fittings belonging to it.  Soon as I receive the new side pond P(addle) Frame fitting from Messrs Beasleys Uxbridge I will dispatch same by boat to Braunston R S Turrell Norwood Top Lock/Millner

 

27.4.1907                We beg to acknowledge receipt of your complaint of yesterday’s date re conduct of our steerer Young when in two (tow) of the PHOENIX on the 18th instant and also damage said to have been done by Woodfield, captain of the EMPEROR.  Both these complaints will be thoroughly investigated and you shall hear from us further Ironmonger FMC/Millner

 

30.4.1907                With further reference to yours of 26th inst., complaining of the reckless working in Braunston Tunnel of our butty steerer A Young (in tow of PHOENIX)  We have taken this matter up with this steerer today and must say that his explanation does not appear quite satisfactory.  We have given him instructions to see you and tender his own explanation, and if this is not satisfactory to you , we shall certainly discharge him.  We would suggest that you summons the man, or inflict a fine on him, which may act as a deterrent.  After seeing him we shall be glad if you will communicate with us again.  We have not been able to see Woodfield yet.  He is at Coventry today and we hope to see him at Braunston tomorrow, when we will write you further.

 

6.9.1915                  With reference to yours of 27th ulto I am informed that the first bridge hole on the other side of the Target Turn in the Fenny Pound is very bad, and from what our men say there must be a lot of stones collected there.  Dawson, captain of the steamer PHOENIX reports that he was delayed over half an hour at the Target Turn on Friday, owing to one of Faulkner’s boats being stuck at that point….J M Anderson FMC B’ham/Millner

 

2.7.1917                  Steamer PHOENIX at Heyford Bridge.  Dawson reported the matter when he passed our Gayton office and I was at the bridge in the morning.  We had a side stank nearly complete on the towpath side, south side of the bridge with red lights on and a man watching.  It appears in taking the corner, Dawson cut it a little too close and ran under the stank baulk and grazed the last pile driven.  The stank was protected by another baulk running under the bridge hole as I make it a rule to have guide baulks put in and do all we can to make it safe for the traffic.  So I am afraid you must put this down as an accident and no one to blame.

 

Current Owner:

Cut up October 1926

 

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