Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/291



Estimates were made by Mr. Smeaton, of the several lines and various dimensions proposed for this canal; but the one under which the work was commenced amounted to £147,337, but augmented to £149,244, 8s. by the additional expense incident to a change in the line, which was effected under powers of an act of 11th George III. entitled, An Act to explain, amend, and render more effectual, an Act made in the Eighth Year of his present Majesty's Reign, entitled, An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Cut or Canal from the Firth or River of Forth, at or near the mouth of the River of Carron, in the county of Stirling, to the Firth or River of Clyde, at or near a place called Dalmuir Burnfoot, in the county of Dumbarton; and also a collateral Cut from the same to the city of Glasgow; and for making a navigable Cut or Canal of Communication from the Port and Harbour of Borrowstounness, to join the said Canal at or near the place where it will fall into the River of Forth. Several other acts became necessary as the works proceeded; but as they have relation chiefly to the supply of the requisite funds for prosecuting the undertaking, we shall but briefly notice them.

The third act received the royal assent on the 10th May, 1773, and is entitled, An Act to enlarge the Powers of two Acts, made in the Eighth and Eleventh Years of the Reign of his present Majesty, for making and maintaining a navigable Cut or Canal from the Firth or River of Forth, at or near the mouth of the River of Carron, in the county of Stirling, to the Firth or River of Clyde, at or near a place called Dalmuir Burnfoot, in the county of Dumbarton; and also a collateral Cut from the same to the city of Glasgow; and for making a navigable Cut or Canal of Communication from the Port and Harbour of Borrowstounness, to join the said Canal, at or near the place where it will fall into the Firth of Forth; by which the company are authorized to borrow, on assignment of the tolls as a security, the sum of £70,000.

The execution of this canal proceeded with such rapidity, under the direction of Mr. Smeaton, that in two years and three quarters from the date of the first act, one half of the work was finished; when, in consequence of some misunderstanding between him and the proprietors, he declined any further connection with