Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/349



When it is stated, that by this railway a difference in the level of from 166 to 168 feet is made in the distance above specified, it is hardly necessary to add, that were it even for nothing but the saving of time and labour in the conveyance of goods, the work could not fail to be of very great utility.

HAMOAZE RIVER OR ESTUARY.
THIS river is navigable for ships of war of the greatest size, and, in consequence of its connection with Plymouth Sound, is of great service as a harbour. It extends in a direction almost due north from Cawsand Bay to the Tamar River near St. Mellion, a distance of about nine miles, leaving as its branches Cat Water, Sutton Pool, and Stone-House Creek; communicating also with the River Tavey, near Warley, and passing, in its course, by Plympton Earle, and Saltash, both considerable towns. Several improvements have been contemplated and undertaken on this river and its branches, amongst which may be mentioned the bridge and causeway over Stone-House Creek, projected by Mr. Smeaton in 1767; a pier from Penlee Point to protect the ships in Cawsand Bay from the east and south-east winds; the deepening and cleansing of Cat Water and Sutton Pool, for which £4,000 was granted in the 45th George III.; and the construction of a floating dock in Sutton Pool, capable of holding one hundred merchantmen afloat.

HARTLEPOOL CANAL.
THIS canal, three hundred yards long and 19 feet deep, the whole of which is cut through the solid rock, was executed in the year 1764, at the expense of Sir J. H. Duval, for the purpose of connecting Hartlepool Harbour, on the coast of Durham, with the sea. As a private work, it is not necessary for us to enter into details of its construction, or the cost of its execution. It has been the means of saving many valuable lives; for in stormy weather, vessels now can enter the harbour, where they lie in security.