265 



reach tlie capital, and the ports at the mouth of the Thames, 

 in safety. And all the heavy articles from the mines and 

 founderies in the heart of Wales, and the counties contiguous 

 to the Severn may find a secure and certain conveyance to 

 the capital. In short, this undertaking is worthy of a great 

 commercial nation and does great credit to the exertions of the 

 individuals, who have promoted and completed a work of such 

 magnitude, at an expense of nearly two hundred thousand 

 pounds. The arched tunnel carried through the bowels of a 

 mountain nearly two miles and a half long and 15 feet 

 wide at a level 250 feet below its summit, is a work worthy 

 admiration; and the locks ascending from Sfcroud, and descend- 

 ing from the summit are executed in a manner deserving great 

 commendation." 



In the Siddington books under date December 9th, 1790, is 

 the following entry : — 



"This day the Company's vessel. The Success, Charles Phelps, 

 Captain, passed with Bilston Coal from Brimscombe to Cricklade 

 for the Company's account." 



The Tunnel was considered a great work at the time of its 

 execution ; old King Geoege III came to look at it, and that 

 part of the Canal being the open cutting at east (Coates) end 

 of the Tunnel, is called, I suppose in consequence — " The King's 

 Eeach." 



The length of the Tunnel is 3817 yards, and the ordinary 

 water level of the Canal in it is 363 feet above the sea, being 

 133 feet below the level of rails, at the summit of Great Western 

 Railway; (between the two Tunnels on that railway.) It is wide 

 enough for the passage of vessels with 12 feet beam, and in 

 places two boats 7 feet wide can pass one another easily. 

 But the working of vessels eastward and westward is regulated 

 alternately for certain fixed hours during the day and night, 

 so that vessels ought never to meet one another. 



The Tunnel is arched, and lined with brickwork or stonework, 

 during 2427 yards of its length, the rest 1390 yards being in 

 rocking, as shown on the longitudinal and cross sections. In 

 the rocking, however, there ai*e very few places (only a total 



