Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/171

CHESTERFIELD CANAL. the tunnel near Harthill, nine miles, with a rise of 85 feet, being a total rise of 335 feet From the summit to Chesterfield, the distance is thirteen miles, with a fall of 45 feet. The number of locks is sixty-five. Between Wales and Harthill there is a tunnel two thousand eight hundred and fifty yards in length; it is in width 9¼ feet, and 12 feet high. Near Gringley Beacon is another tunnel one hundred and fifty-three yards in length. Between the long tunnel and Chesterfield, many individuals have laid down private railways, for the purpose of transporting the production of the mines and iron-works in that district.

This navigation was projected by Mr. Brindley, in 1769, but before any application was made to parliament for authority to carry it into execution, Mr. Grundy was directed to view the intended line of canal, upon which he reported in August, 1770. His proposal was to carry the line of canal from Stockwith, in nearly a straight course, to Bawtry, and from thence, by Scrooby, Blyth, and Carlton, and to join Brindley's line at the Shire Oaks.

Mr. Brindley's estimate was £94,908, 17s. and the length, according to the original plan made by Mr. Varley, is forty-four miles, six furlongs and eight chains and a half, and Grundy's estimate, by his proposed alteration, is £71,479, 6s. 9½d. being less by £23,429, 10s. 2½d. and shorter by nearly five miles and a half; yet, notwithstanding the apparent advantages of Grundy's line, such confidence had the proposed company in Brindley's designs, that they applied to parliament and obtained an act to enable them to carry his scheme into execution; it is entitled,  'An Act for making a navigable Cut or Canal from Chesterfield, in the county of Derby, through or near Worksop and Retford, to join the River Trent, at or near Stockwith, in the county of Nottingham.'  The proprietors, at the time the act was obtained, consisted of one hundred and seventy-four persons, amongst whom were the Most Noble the Dukes of Devonshire and Newcastle, Lord Scarsdale, the Dean of York, and Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. who were incorporated by the name of "The Company of Proprietors of the Canal Navigation from Chesterfield to the River Trent," and empowered to raise among themselves the sum of £100,000, in one thousand shares of £100 each, for the purpose of carrying the same into execution, but the canal was not to be begun until the