The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-12 00:00:00

A net revenue of 257,0901. per annum would result, being a
dividend of about 9 per cent. on the gross capital of 2,800,0001.
On cross-examination, Mr. Davis said he considered the bridge
across the Severn would present an obstruction to the passage of
masted vessels; but the difficulty would be removed if the arch
were constructed of sufficient height. If the bridge were made to
cross the Aust Ferry, it would be a great accommodation for the
whole of the west of England, but not, in his opinion, for London.
Mr. Taylor, of Newlands, was then called and examined by
Sir T. natures as to the navigation of the river Severn. He
deposed that the Severn traders had agreed to accept compensation
fur any injury that might result to their trade from the
passage of the railway over the bridge that was
proposed to be erected over the Severn. Vessels have
gone down as far as Bridgewater for a cargo of hay owing
to the continued drought of summer. Many quantity of hay were
now intended to be conveyed from Bridgewater to Gloucester, it
would be most conveniently transmitted by railway. The tide on
the Severn will sometimes rise as high as twenty-two or twenty-
three feet above low water mark, when there was a spring tide.
The trows that navigate the river were masted vessels, and
could only pads and repass along the Severn at certain
states of the tide. Brimspill was a pace %here there existed very
good anchorage. On the Severn a very rapid tide called the bore,
occasioned at times great danger to the shipping. The Berkeley
canal ran into the Severn, and the principal part of the traffic from
Gloucester was conveyed along it. Vessels were scmethnes de-
tained a week above Brimspill waiting for a sufficient tide to
carry them up. Compensation had been offered to the witness on
account of the removal of his wharf.

On cross-examination, the witness said, that if the projected
railway were made, Nuneham would not be so convenient a port as
at present.

Mr. Twine, shipper at Bullopill, was next examined by Mr.
TALBOT—He had a general acquaintance with all shipping going up
and down the river. There were a few small sloops that found
their way up the river. A great many trows and barges also went
up, and they could lower their masts. The fruit vessels were
unable to have their masts lowered. Vesssels were frequenty de-
tained below Bullopill for want of sufficient tide. He knew of no
better part on the line than Brimspill, and its superiority was owing
to the great depth of water at that pace.

On cross.examination, the witness stated that the bridge at Hoch.
crib would be an impediment to vessels going up the Severn.
Mr. James Carr, auctioneer, Nuneham, said there were some
difficulties in the bend of the river at the Noose, and below the
Ship Canal. He considered that the fixed bridge would be of
very little inconvenience to the canal traffic.
Mr. Plowden, a pilot of the river Severn, stated he was tho-
roughly acquainted with the river, and no large vessels went up be-
yond Hockcrib. The proposed canal of the railway company
would be more convenient for the passage of vessels than the
Hockley Canal, as time and tide would be saved by avoiding the
necessity of passing the bend in the river. He considered it
would be a very great convenience to the phipping in the river, if
Brimspill were made a port instead of Bullopill.
On cross-examination, he said he did not consider there would be
a great accumulation of sand in the canal.
Mr. Shaw, ship-builder at Aure, said the effect of the canal with
respect to the navigation would be a great benefit. Vessels going
up to Gloucester by the canal would invariably save a tide, and
sometimes two or three days. It was objectionable that a vessel
going round the Horse-shoe would have to encounter several winds,
which sometimes forced the vessels on shore. Very few vessels
with fixed masts went round the Horse-shoe. He thought Brims-
pill would constitute a better port than Bullopill, as the Noose
would be avoided.

Mr. Margaret, pilot of the Severn, corroborated the evidence of
the previous witnesses.

Mr. Pool, merchant, of Bristol, said that he sent considerable
quantities of stone from Bristol to Gloucester by the Berkeley
Canal, and found it the cheapest mode of transmission. He gene-
rally confirmed the previous testimony.
The Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow.