" An Act for improving the navigation of a portion of the River Parrett,
and for making a navigable canal from the said river to Barrington,
all in the county of Somerset ... provision is also intended to be made,
all in the county of Somerset ... provision is also intended to be made,
to alter or increase the rates, tolls, or duties, by the said Act authorised to be taken.
Dated this 15th day of October 1836."
Dated this 15th day of October 1836."
-
excerpt from The London Gazette
excerpt from The London Gazette
Tuesday November 29, 1836
 |
| The Parrett Navigation share certificate, 1837 double-click image to enlarge |
River Parrett
The River Parrett flows through the counties of Dorset and Somerset in South West England. From its source, located near Chedington in Dorset, to its mouth in Bridgwater Bay, the Parrett travels a distance of about 37 mi (60 km). The fall of the river between Langport and Bridgwater, about 10 miles (16 kilometers), is only 1 foot per mile (0.2 m/km). As a result the river is prone to flooding in winter and during high tides. More than 1200 years ago, the river formed a boundary between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Wessex and Dumnonia. Many approaches have been tried since the medieval period to reduce the incidence and effect of floods and to drain the surrounding fields.
 |
| down stream part of Parrett river detail from map of Somerset, ca. 1646, by Janssonius double-click image to enlarge original map can be seen here |
Navigation on the Parrett river
The 1836 Parrett Navigation Act authorised improvements to the River Parrett between Burrow Bridge and Langport, rebuilding of the river bridge at Langport, which had obstructed navigation up-river from there for many years, and construction of a canal to Westport. Canal tolls were charged for use of the canal, and there was a toll for trade passing under the rebuilt bridge.
William Gravatt, who had worked on the Thames Tunnel with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was the engineer for the construction of the Westport canal. Gravatt also devised the dumpy level, a surveying instrument.
The Parrett Navigation company raised 10500 Pounds by the issuing of shares. As the cost of the works exceeded the budget, a second Act of Parliament was obtained in 1839, allowing the company to raise another 20000 Pounds but also to increase tolls. However local merchants opposed the bill. A petition against the act was found to be forged. In 1840 the canal was open for first usage. The company was succesfully from the start. The incoming cargoes brought coal and timber. Grain and stone were exported via the canal.
 |
| Parret Navigation shares certificate, 1839 |
