Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/226



DROITWICH CANAL.
8 George III. Cap 37, Royal Assent 29th January, 1768.

THIS canal commences at Chapel Bridge, in the town of Droitwich, whence it takes a south-eastwardly course, running parallel with, and on the south bank of the Salwarp River, by the village of that name, and at a short distance from Westwood, the seat of Sir John Packington, Bart.; hence its course is continued by Woods Mill, and it terminates haifa mile west of Hawford Lodge, and where the above-mentioned river falls into the Severn.

It is five miles and three quarters in length, with a fall, to the Severn, of 56 feet 6 inches, by eight locks; and it was made under the authority of an act of 8th George III. entitled, An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Cut or Canal from the River Severn, at or near a place called Hawford, in the parish of Claines, in the county of Worcester, to or near a place called Chapel Bridge, within the borough of Droitwich, in the said county. The subscribers to this undertaking were incorporated by the name of "The Company of Proprietors of the Droitwich Canal Navigation," with power to raise among themselves the sum of £33,400, in three hundred and thirty-four shares of £100 each; and a further sum of £20,000, either among themselves or by the admission of new subscribers. The original proprietors are restricted to seven shares each; unless new ones be taken, for the purpose of raising the additional £20,000, in which case they may have five in addition.

TONNAGE RATES.
A clause is inserted in an act of the 31st George III. cap. 59, for making the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, by which that company are bound to make compensation to the Droitwich Canal Company for any diminution which may be made in the profits of their concern below five per cent, on every share, each being