Report on the proposed Okeham and Boston Canal, 1 4 1 



the town oF Okehani, bas induced Mr. Whitworth, in his 

 survcv, to follow that stream to its junction with the 

 Wcjiand ; but by that line, though sufficiently regular in 

 its descent, being obliged to skirt the north side or the high 

 ridtze of land which lies to the north of Stamford, an 

 awkward circuity is created before it can reach the town, 

 so that the distance by the navigation between Stamford and 

 Okehani would be nearly nineteen miles. 



" In proceeding from the sea-const to the interior of 

 the country, the vessels navigating that line must either 

 pass at the distance of about one mile and a half from 

 Stamford ; or having come up to the town, nuist return the 

 same distance, along the same line, to get into the valley 

 of the Wash. 



" These circumstances, in my opinion, render that line 

 objectionable, and inferior to another line which may be ob- 

 tained by means which Mr. Whitworth has himself partly- 

 pointed out. This is by continuing the head level from 

 Okeham over the south field, along the before- mentioned 

 line, about -a mile and a quarter from Okeham ; and from 

 ihence, instead of locking down the Wash valley, to conti- 

 nue through Egleton iiuo Gunthorpe, and there locking 

 down to reduce the embankment across the Wash valley, 

 so that the cutting through the ridge, at Maninsthorpe, shall 

 afford earth sufficient for its construction. This will enai^le 

 the line to be carried into the Chater valley,, without being 

 encumbered wiih a tunnel, which Mr. Whitworth, from a 

 tursory view, apprehended necessary. The valley between 

 Gimthorpeand Martinsthorpe will also be a convenient place 

 to receive the feeder from the reservoir proposed to be 

 formed at Braunston. 



" This line, having crossed the ridge at Martinsthorpe^ 

 should be locked down nearly to the bottom of the val- 

 ley of the Chaier, and be carried down the north side to 

 near Kclion, where, in order to avoid the village, it should 

 cross lo the south side of the valley. After passing the 

 village, it itiust be again brought to the north side, and be 

 contmued to the mcist favourable point for crossing the 

 river Welland, below where the Chater has fallen iiUo it» 

 After crossing the Welland, the line should be carried along 

 the skirts of the vvood, as nearly as possible, in the di\ i.-^ioii 

 between the uplands and the meadows, and it should fall 

 into the river above Stamford bridge, in the most ccnive-f 

 nient way, to enable wharfs to be formed on each side of 

 the river. For accomplishing this object the opportunities 

 ^re ample, without interferini^- with buildings. I prefer th(» 



* south 



