Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/221

 through which it passes, with coal, deals, and general merchandize; and for the export of the surplus agricultural produce, to the populous manufacturing districts of the West Riding.

DEVON RIVER.
THIS river rises on the south side of the Ochil Hills, in the county of Perth, from whence it takes an eastwardly course by Glendovan, whence it pursues a south-eastwardly direction by Muckhart to Fossaway, from whence it changes to a westwardly course by Dollar, Tillicouterie, and Sauchie, and falls into the River Forth about two miles and a half west of Alloa. As a tideway river it is navigable for some distance; and at Cambus Quay, about one furlong from the mouth of the river, there is 12 feet water at neap tides, and a rise at spring tides of 20 feet. In 1765, and again in 1768, Mr. Smeaton examined the river, at the request of Lord Cathcart and the proprietors of the extensive collieries on its banks, with a view to extend the navigation to Mellock Glen Foot, either by deepening the river or making a canal along side of it. The estimate for the latter mode was £9,357, 1s.; but, as no act was obtained for improving this navigation, it does not appear to have ever been carried into execution.

For the purpose of avoiding the difficult and circuitous course of the Forth between Alloa and the mouth of the Cambus, a cut was proposed between the last-mentioned town and the Devon, near Menstrie Bridge; but it has not been executed. The object of these projected improvements was to facilitate the conveyance of coal to the Forth to be shipped.

DORSET AND SOMERSET CANAL.
36 George III. Cap. 47, Royal Assent 24th March, 1796.

43 George III. Cap. 108, Royal Assent 4th July, 1803.

THE line of this projected canal commences from the navigable River Stour, at Gains Cross, in the parish of Shillingston Okeford, and county of Dorset, whence it proceeds in a north-westwardly direction by the towns of Sturminster Newton, Stalbridge, and