THE RIVER MERSEY. f 



by Mr. Giles, in his great survey ; and the very valuable observations on the 

 rise and fall of the tides in the Mersey, from Formby Point to Warrington 

 Bridge, taken during the years 1840, 1841 , 1842, and 1843, by Mr. Rendell— 

 as shown by the diagrams in the first and second volumes of Mr. Thomas 

 Webster's work, 1848, 1853 — leave . nothing to be desired in point of 

 excellence. 



With such records, the Commissioners of Conservancy have only to 

 impress upon their surveyors the necessity of making frequent inspec- 

 tions of the whole of the estuary, and annual surveys of its banks and 

 channels, so that this invaluable port shall be maintained, in future, in its 

 full integrity. 



Mr. Boult's report, which accompanies this, enters most fully into the 

 details of the changes which have taken place in the direction and depths of 

 the sea channels. The increase or diminution of the sand-banks, from the 

 first publication of Captain George Thomas's map, in 1815, down to 1854, 

 accompanied by an elaborate table, showing the average cubical contents of 

 the Great Burbo, Brazil, and North Bank, and the banks of Formby, Taylor, 

 Jordan, Mud-wharf, Middle, Little Burbo, and Outlying, and East Hoyle, 

 from which it will be seen that in 1840 there is a slight decrease from 1837; 

 for the years 1846 and 1852 a considerable increase; and a slight diminution 

 in 1854. These tables are analysed with great minuteness by Mr. Boult; 

 and the accompanying charts, in colours, illustrate distinctly the variations*. 

 The valuable meteorological and historical information which Mr. Boult has 

 brought forward, entitle him to the best thanks of the Committee. 



London, July 18, 1856. GEORGE RENNIE. 



No. 1. — Report of the Messrs. Wilkin relative to the Navigation and Con- 

 servancy of the River Mersey. 



Spring Gardens, 28th April, 1840. 

 Sir, — We have the honour of referring to our letter of the 18th April, 

 1839, in which we observed, that much more information than we at that 

 time possessed would be wanting to enable us to make a final report on the 

 state of the River Mersey, and for recommending such measures for the 

 improvement of the navigation, and for preventing further encroachments on 

 its shores. 



This inquiry has caused much labour and attention on our parts, 

 Mr. George Wilkin having been almost entirely occupied in this business 

 from the beginning of the month of March 1839, and having spent nearly 

 three months in Liverpool for the purpose of communicating with those 

 most competent to render us assistance. We were unable to proceed without 

 a regular survey, and for that purpose, at our recommendation, the Corpora- 

 tion employed Mr. Eyes to make an accurate report and survey of the shore 

 within the port of Liverpool (No. If), which contains the description and 

 customs in each township, showing whether the same is a manor, or reputed 

 manor, and whether courts are held, and whether any, and what, claims are 

 made to the shore, or any privileges exercised therein. The names of the 

 proprietors of land adjoining the beach, the encroachments made thereon, 

 and the enclosures of marshes over which the tide formerly flowed in the 

 upper part of the river, which exceed 13,000 acres. 



We beg leave to represent, that the obstructions to the navigation of the 



* See note, page 2. 



t The figures in Messrs. Whidbey's report refer to documents which are not printed 

 with it, 



