172 PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 1913 



approached only on spring tides by smaller craft making the 

 difficult and dangerous passage by the River Severn. The 

 construction of the canal shortened the distance from the 

 sea by twelve miles, and provided not only a safe route, but 

 one also available at all tides for such vessels. 



At the present time, owing to improvements in the 

 canal and in the construction of shipping, steamships carrying 

 as much as 1200 tons regularly navigate the canal to Gloucester. 



One of the notable features is the absence of intermediate 

 locks ; the canal is at a considerable height above the River 

 at both ends, the difference of level at Sharpness varying 

 according to the height of the tides, which rise at low neaps 

 and high springs approximately to 13 feet and 31 feet on the 

 entrance cill ; the height of the canal water being 36^ feet 

 above this cill ; while at Gloucester the normal difference in 

 level between the river and canal is 12 feet. 



For a few miles near Gloucester the canal is in cutting, 

 but for nearly the remainder of its length, it is retained by 

 embankments, raised in some places the whole depth of the 

 canal above the adjoining lands. Near Sharpness, for a dis- 

 tance of about two miles, it is merely divided from the River 

 Severn by an embankment and sea wall. 



Half-way between Gloucester and Sharpness the older 

 Stroudwater Canal is crossed, at a point known as "The 

 Junction," to which the half-day excursion was made by the 

 Cotteswold Club on June 28th, 1913. This waterway dates 

 from 1776, and connects Stroud with the River Severn at 

 Framilode. 



The water-supply is obtained from natural sources, 

 principally by means of the River Frome, which is penned 

 up to the necessary height by a weir across it near Whit- 

 minster. In dry seasons this is supplemented by pumping 

 from the River Severn, two large centrifugal pumping-engines, 

 capable of delivering 285 tons of water per minute, being 

 installed at Gloucester. 



