Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/691



WELLAND RIVER.
13 Elizabeth, Cap. 1, Royal Assent - - - - 1571.

12 George III. Cap. 103, Royal Assent 21st May, 1772.

34 George III. Cap. 102, Royal Assent 23rd May, 1794.

THIS river rises about five miles north of Market Harborough, in Leicestershire, and proceeding by Rockingham Castle, winds in a north-easterly course to Stamford, in Lincolnshire, up to which place it is made navigable from the sea; thence it runs in an easterly course to Market Deeping; whence, turning south-easterly, it proceeds, about three miles; then bending to the north-east and passing near Crowland and Spalding, it empties itself into the Wash.

The first act of parliament relating to this river was passed in 1571, and is entitled,  'An Act for making the River of Welland, in the county of Lincoln, navigable.' A second passed in 1772, entitled,  'An Act for the better Preservation of the Great Bank of the River Welland, &amp;c.' the clauses of which it is not necessary here to enumerate, as the principal act, to which we have to refer, was obtained in 1794, under the title of  'An Act for improving the Outfall of the River Welland, in the county of Lincoln; and for the better Drainage of the Fen Lands, Low Grounds and Marshes, discharging their Waters through the same into the Sea; and for altering and improving the Navigation of the said River Welland, by means of a new Cut, to commence below a certain Place called the Reservoir, and to be carried from thence through the inclosed Marshes and open Salt Marshes into Wyberton Road, between the Port of Boston and a Place called the Scalp; and for disposing of the Bore or White Sands adjoining to the said River; and for building a Bridge over the said Cut.'  This act appoints three persons therein named, commissioners for executing the purposes of this act, with power to borrow money on the credit of the taxes and pontage, and to take the following