# River Lune Navigation Act 1749

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(23 Geo. II) c.12 This act arose as the Lancaster started to play an increasing role in foreign trade, particularly the slave trade. It gave provision for the establishment of the Lancaster Port Commission the building of St George's Quay and a schedule of duties to create revenue for this body
CAP. XII. An act for improving the navigation of the river Loyne, otherwise called Lune; and for building a quay or wharf near the town of Lancaster in the county palatine of Lancaster.
WHEREAS the town of Lancaster, in the county palatine of Lancaster, from its great and extensive commerce to the West Indies, and other foreign parts, is now become a very considerable port; and has for some time past employed and maintained great numbers of ships, mariners, and seamen, to the great advancement of the revenue, and the improvement of the trade and navigation of this kingdom: and whereas the navigation of the river Loyne, otherwise called Lune, is become very difficult and dangerous, and the only place near the said town where ships can be moored and discharged, is by reason of the shoals, and other obstructions in the soil of the said river, become very unfit and unsafe for that purpose: insomuch that many ships and vessels stationed there, have been overset and damaged, to the great loss of the owners and freighters thereof respectively: and whereas it is conceived to be highly necessary for the benefit and improvement of the said navigation, that a quay or wharf, with other conveniences, should be built and erected on the south west side of the said river, and that buoys should be placed at the entrance into the said river, and other parts thereof, and land marks erected, for guiding and directing ships and vessels to and from the said town ; and that a place of safety should be made for the harbouring and protection of the shipping at or near the mouth of the said river ; which would tend not only to the preservation and security of ships trading to and from the said town, but also of his Majesty's ships of war, and other vessels, that should put in there by stress of weather, or otherwise: and where as the reverend James Fenton doctor of laws, vicar of the paris church of Lancaster, and in the diocese of Chester, is in right of the said church seised of and in divers parcels of land and ground herein after-mentioned and described, which are very commodiously and conveniently situated for the purposes afore-mentioned ; and the right reverend Samuel lord bishop of Chester, the ordinary, Edward Marton esquire, the patron or owner of the advowson of the vicarage of the said church, and the said James Fenton, the present incumbent thereof, have respectively consented and agreed, that the said pieces or parcels of ground shall be converted, applied, and disposed of, for the purposes berein after-mentioned; but under, and subject to the rents, refervations, provisions, and restrictions herein after expressed, provided, and declared: wherefore for the promoting, carrying on, and effecting a design so beneficial for the town of Lancaster, and so conducive to the increase of trade and navigation, and the good of the publick; may it please your most excellent Majesty, that it may be enacted, &c.
Certain parcels of lands vested in trustees, for the purposes of this act. The vicar of the parish to be paid thereout an annual rent of 14l. 14s. by quarterly payments. The lands to be employed as a wharf, &c. Upon the death of any trustee, another to be chosen, &c. Conveyance of the premissies to be made to the new trustee. The trustees to separate the lands vested in them from the other parts of the vicarage lands by a stone wall, and to make a reservoir of water, &c. and in case of any overflow, to divert the waters into the Loyne, &c. Occupiers of the vicarage lands impowered to take and along the Summer-Pasture, and to drive their cattle to and from water. The ways to be appointed by the trustees, or on their neglect, by the vicar. The vicar to have the herbage until the division wall be built. No way, &c. to be made through the wall, without consent of the vicar. Commissioners appointed to execute this act to May, 1955. Upon the death of any commissioner another to be elected. Merchants, &c. to meet every third year, and nominate 16 inhabitants to be joint commissioners, who are impowered to build a quay, &c. and to let the sfame, and to erect piers at the mouth of the river, &c. Duties granted on vessels coming into or going out of the port for the term of 25 years. No vessel to pay inwards and outwards for the same voyage. One moiety of the duties only to cease after 11 years. No vessel to be cleared at the custom-house without a certificate of payment of the duties. Commissioners impowered to make by-laws, &c. and to contract for the works, and to borrow 2000l. on the duties. Collectors books of receipts and payments, to be produced at the quarter sessions. Commissioners to appoint collectors, and to allow them not exceeding 1s. in the pound. Commissioners to meet twice in the year, and audite all accounts, and may remove collectors, &c. Commissioners to appoint a person who shall order the mooring, &c. of ships. Twenty fillings penalty on throwing rubbish, &c. into the river.
SCHEDULE of the duties.
FOR every ship coming in or going out of the port of Lancaster, and trading to or from any place in Europe, within the Streights; or in Africa, America, or Greenland, 1s. per ton. For every ship trading to or from any foreign port in Europe, 8d. per ton. For every ship trading to or from any place in Great Britain south of Holly Head, or north of the Mull of Galloway, 6d. per ton. For every ship trading to or from any place in Ireland, or the Isle of Man, 4d. per ton.. For every trip trading to or from any place in Great Britain north of Holly Head, or south of the Mull of Galloway, ad. per ton. And for every ship coming in ballast into the river Loyne and not lading or unlading, for every ton one fourth part of the duties
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