Star.
London, England, 1824-12-20 00:00:00

ENGLIS:If AND BRISTOL CHANNELS' SIIII)
CANAL. -

REPOR r op NIL TRLFORD.

'ln cninsequence (if instructions from the promoters
of tale scheme. for the above-mentioned Ship Canal,
transmitted me by the Committee's Chairman, John
Bent, Esq. M.P. dated 14th July last, .1 immediately
niade arrangements, and proceeded to perambulate the
diltricts of country through which it was ptopnsed to
carry, the Canal. Far making the field surveys and
sections, and for collecting. the necessary data untie:
my direction, I selected Mr. James Green, of Exeter,
who, with extensive practice in civil engineering, com-
bin2; a thorough knowledge of the localities.
With Mr. Green, therefore, examined the district
co,ovo,es the comparatively narrow isthmus
of the Cornish and Devon Peninsula ; with this was
included the several collateral valleys that fall in from
the Eastern and Western side; of the main valley, which
lies in a North and South direction ; this was done in
order to acquire a knowledge of the quality and shape
of the ground over which a large Canal might be car-
ried, and the probability of acquiring a sufficient supply
of water for the purposes of such an extensive inter-
conr,e, as would justify so great an undertaking.
With similar views the shores of the English and
Bristol Channels were examined for the fittest termina-
tions for a Navigation of (lie before-mentioned descrip-
tion, in conjunction with extensive Asylum Harbours.—
Having satisfied myself with respect to the leading fea-
tures of the measure, I made out written instructions fair
the survey, and engaged Mr. Green to proceed with all
practicable dispatch. I then returned to London, and
made my preliminary Repor: on the 2d of August.—
This Report (No.l, in the Appendix), having satisfied
the Committee of the practicability and feasibility of
the scheme, I received directions to proceed With due
energy, so as to have the necessary documents in readi-
ness to comply with the Standing Orders of Parliament.
I was likewise authorized to procure a Report from
an able and experienced seaman, of known character in
his profession, as to the proposed terminations on the
shores of the English and RI istol Channels. For this
purpose I selected Captain George Nicholls, long well
known to the Honourable East India Company's Ser-
vice, whose talents and fitness were fully vouched by
one of the respectable Directors—(See No. 2. Appendix)
This able and laborious Report (No. 3. Appendix) is
better evidence of Captain Nicholls's qualifiCations than
any commendations 1 can bestow. After his repeated
surveys and investigations I attended him to each shore,
and his explanations fully convinced me that the points
selected were peculiarly favourable; and I benefited by
his judicious observations in sundry matters, in which
' My want of experience in nautical affairs would have
left me in doubt. He has bestowed much pains in ac-
quiring and arranging much important matter, not only
in regard to the approach and departure of vessels, but
the great saving of time and expense which would fol-
low from using this Canal navigation, and likewise a
probable revenue which it may be fairly expected to
produce. The data upon which be founds his state-
menu are certainly drawn from the most authentic
sources to which the Captain could have access.
Conceiving myself, therefore, relieved from all that
regards tideway affairs and revenue, I shall proceed—
tn. To describe the line of the intended Canal, its several levels,
lockage, and other works.
ad. Explain what regards supplying the Canal with Water.
341. ascribe the Piers, Docks, and Harbours, proposed to be
constructed ou the shores of the English and Bristol Channels.
4th. Furnish an 'Estimate of the Expense of the Canal Harbours

anti sundry works connected therewith.
• sth. Make some General Observation

FIRST—LINE OF CANAL:
This Canal, and the works connected therevith, are
intended to accommodate vessels of 200 tons, when
fully loaded ; for this purpose, fifteen feet depth of
water is requited, with locks 125 feet in length, and
thirty feet in breadth, which will also admit vessels of
still greater tr.nnage, when light, or partially loaded.
(See Appendix, No. ). The rise of each lock to be
eight feet, and thirty in number, on each side of the
sumn.it, and as the Canal will be ninety-five feet wide
at top water, vessels of 200 tons, being only twenty-ge
fret and a half in breadth to the extremity of their
channels, and there being two towing•paths, they may
pass each other without interruption in every pan of
the line.
Under these circumstances, the line of Canal I am
about to describe has been selected and surveyed.
Upon the slime of the English Channel, the Canal
line commences at Beer Harbour (described under the
third head of this Report), where five locks, of eight
fset rise each, are placed in the mass of White Cliff;
thence the line passes, by some deep cutting, on the
upper or western side of tie village of Seaton; and
proceed upon one level, in nearly a straight direction,
for a distance a about five miles, across the river Colly,
and pass the villages of Whiteford and Woodhayne.
At a little north of Kilmington, the lockage commences,
and the line, bending gently Westward, crosses the
Tarty river and valley ; it afterwards continues to near
Clocombe, and thence proceeds by lockage up the
Western side of the river Axe, to [he commencement
of the summit level near Titherleigh, having in this
part of its course crossed the Wambrook stream and
small valley. In crossing the beforementioned streams,
proper aqueducts have been provided for passing the
flood waters.
From Beer Harbour to this place, the distance is
eleven miles and three-quartets, and excepting the deep
cutting at Seaton, the ground is sufficiently favourable,
and no works of unusual magnitude are required.
Upon the summit level, for the distance of about one
mile and a halt, no obstacle occurs, but in the course
- of the next two miles, there is some heavy deep cutting,
which cannot he avoided unless by increasing the lock-
age and shortening the summit, both very. objection-
able; from this place to the northern termination of
the summit level, the ground is favourable; its whole,
length is twelve miies wid a half.
From this North end of the summit level, the lock-
age down to the liver Tone, at Curry, is as tegul.trly
distributed as the shape of the ground will admit. The
Tone valley and river are passed by an embankment
and aqueduct at a height to admit a free passage for
the navigation and fl 'od waters.
fletrie.:n the river Tone and Bridgewater, only two
locks ale required, and excepting a circuity tg avoid
some high ground, the liaeis favU'uratili. -
The town of ll:idgersaser,..staucting upon the termi-
nation of a Cnnsicierable ridge of land, some deep cut-
ting is tina%oidable; but. the line is chosen so as to in-
ter lt9e with only a few boosts of. compaiativeli swan
valotr, aor ;O MIS% only nee street.
Firnm B idgewater to CoMburch, the %mend is re.
amtl.Ably suitable, being all level eutting,and4ery direct.