Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/637



TAY RIVER AND PERTH NAVIGATION.
11 George IV. Cap. 121, Royal Assent 17th June, 1830.

THIS noble river has its source in that romantic district which separates the counties of Perth and Argyle, and but a few miles north of the head of the beautiful Loch Lomond. Its course is eastwardly, embracing Locbs Dochart and Tay; and thence in a southwardly course by the town of Dunkeld and Scone Palace, (the ancient residence of the Scottish Kings) to the city and port of Perth, from which place it gradually widens in a considerable estuary, and falls into the North Sea between Button Ness and Tentmoor Point, about five miles east of the port and harbour of Dundee, and twenty-eight from Perth.

The Tay is navigable at spring tides to the city of Perth, but much obstructed by the floods at one time and the shallows at another, but more in particular by one situate betwixt the quays of Perth and the Friar Town, called the Weel Ford; to remedy which, and to improve the navigation generally, an act was obtained on the 17th June, 1830, entitled, 'An Act for enlarging, improving and maintaining the Port and Harbour of Perth; for improving the Navigation of the River Tay to the said city; and for other Purposes therewith connected;' and by which, twenty-six commissioners are appointed to carry the purposes of this act into execution.

The proposed improvements consist chiefly in deepening about fifteen hundred yards in length of the river from the Towns-ford, opposite the Merchant's Pier, on the west side of the river to Friar Town, so as to admit vessels drawing 9 feet 6 inches at neap tides, at that part of the river nearest to Perth, and 14 feet 6 inches at Friar Town Deeps. The quays also are to be rebuilt to the extent of nearly eight hundred yards. Mr. James Jardine was the engineer employed on this business, who estimated the expense at £14,504, the whole of which is to be paid out of the funds of the city of Perth. In coasideration of the outlay of this sum, the act empowers the commissioners to demand the following rates.