222 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[■Tr^NE, 



The repairs above rc>ferred to were executed by Mr. Gibb, under Mr. 

 Telford, in 1817, and from that time the eanal reniaiiied open, the enrrent 

 repairs beinp done by the eompany's workmen nntil IKif), when .some of 

 the gates were renewed, other important repairs done, and an addition of 

 liic feet made to the depth of the reservoir, by Messrs. Gibb and Son as 

 contractors, the amount of which was about £'2,81)0. In \SM also a 

 landing-place or pier, convenient for the passengers by steam-packets, and 

 for tlie herring fishery, was built by the same contractors at Ardrisshaig. 



TlH're are upon the canal eiglit locks ascending from Loch (iilp or 

 Ardrisshaig", at the west cud. and se\en locks dcsi'ending to Crinan at the 

 east end ; these locks are 'JO feet long by 2-t feet wide, and 12 feet deep, 

 except the two at Crinan end, which are 108 feet long by 27 feet wide ; 

 the e.inal is therefore filled for merchant vessels of 2IJI) tons burthen, and 

 the steamers which ply between (ilasgow and Inverness are made incon- 

 veniently narrow to pass through it. To avoid this, a larger steamer 

 started last year, which makes the passage round the Mull ofC'anlire, 

 occupying from six to eight hours additional time, although the loss is 

 probably more than compi'usatcd by the greater width of the vessel in the 

 other part of the journey, independently of the general convenience and 

 securitv against stoppages upon the Crinan Canal, which are not iin- 

 frequent, and \ipon which there is at present no passage during the night. 



The importance of the Crinan Canal to the Caledonian Canal is greatest 

 in reference to the trade of the Clyde; and, for the reason I have stated, 

 its importance for steam communication is much less than lor sailing 

 vessels, unless the locks and canal were enlarged to the size of the Cale- 

 donian Canal, or, which has been proposed and woidd probably be a 

 better plan, by cutting down the summit by which eight locks vvoidd be 

 saved. The expense of either would be very great, and certainly in my 

 opinion much beyond what it would be prudent to undertake imder present 

 circumstances, and mitil the superiority of the Canal to the mor circuitous 

 route is more fully established. 



Without, however, contemplating such an outlay, much good might bo 

 done, and at a comparatively small expense, to add to the efficient work- 

 ing ,and managing of the canal. 



The breakwater which shelters the entrance at Ardrisshaig should be 

 carried out (Mr. Gi^b and Mr. Thomson, senior, thought 80 feet would be 

 sutficient) to cover a projecting rock, which is partlv dry at low water, and 

 is dangerous for vessels approaching, partirnlarly at night, with rough 

 weather, and more so since tlie beaemi which marked it was carried away, 

 and had not been replaced. Upon this proposed extension the entrance 

 light miglit be conveniently placed, the present light, from having been 

 allowed lo get out of repair, being now a very imperfect guide. From the 

 import ance to life and property, lights and beacons when once established 

 slio\dd never be neglected. 



£asl Enlmnce. — The entrance to the canal at the east end requires to be 

 deepened at least five feet, to allow vessels to enter the lock, the sill of 

 which is laid eight feet under low water. The expense of this, compared 

 with the advantage, would be but small. Mr. James Thomson informs me 

 that a good deal has been done towards the removal of this shoal, which 

 was at one time seven feet and a lialf, but is now only four feet above the 

 sill. If completely removed, tlie steamers could enter al all times of tide, 

 which would be a most important improvement, particularly at night ; the 

 accommodation at Ardrisshaig does not seem the best, and as there is 

 nothing interesting iii the line of the canal, to get through it in place of 

 being obliged to search for nights' lodgings would generally be preferred 

 by passengers, even those on pleasure. At present there is no night 

 passage for any vessel, ■whether with goods or passengers, through the 

 canal. 



Lucks. — The masonry of the locks, from the eastern entrance to Caim- 

 bean, a distance of four miles, appeared good, and the canal of propor- 

 tionate width. 



From Cairnbean to the summit, and thence to the Crinan Lock, No. 14, 

 the lock w.alls are built of the whinslone found in tlie district, and are 

 generally rough. The quoins, copings and aprons are of better stone. 

 Some repairs in the gates are required, only part of these having been 

 renewed in 1817 ; and I was informed that some of the lower platforms are 

 defective from the puddle having wasted. 



The shortness of the summit is an original defect in the eanal, which 

 would be effectually remedied by cutting down and taking out a lock at 

 each end of the .summit, by which considerable time and future expense of 

 repair would be saved; but even this would. I fear, be attended with too 

 large an outlay to be undertaken at present. 



Between Dimaiidry Lower Tower and Belanoch Bay, and thence to the 

 Upper Crinan Lock, 'part of the canal is through rock, and is in places so 

 narrow, that two vessels cannot pass. This is inconvenient, and the wear 

 and ttar to steam-packets, which require some speed for steering, is stated 

 to be considerable, through their coming in contact with the sharp, rocky 

 sides. The expense of making the canal the full width through this rock 

 would be considerable, but the worst parts might be remedied. 



Crinan End — It was night before 1 reached the Crinan end. Mr. Gibb 

 informed me that the sea lock here is good freestone, but that the lower or 

 sea gates are attacked by the worm, and are at present very defective. This 

 should have immediate attention ; to .sheath them with copper below low 

 water would probably be the best preventive, and in the end the cheapest, 

 as they are stated to want frequent repairs from the above cause. 



-\t the Crinan as at the Ardrisshaig end, there is a bank between the 

 entrance lock and the lake, which is considerably higher than the lock sill ; 

 it was described to me as of clay and mud, and that the length was small ; 

 surely this ought to be removed. 



The revenue nfihiscannl during the last year is stated in a letter from Mr. 

 Thomson, (hi> engineer and superintendent, to have been I,;)!!.'!/., the ex- 

 expenditure 1.G7I'., leaving a surplus of232/. , as respects balance, this isa 

 favourable slalement compared with former years, in which, on an average, 

 the expenditure and receipts were nearly equal. The (rade during the last 

 fifteen years has increased, but not above 2(11)/. or 300/. on an average of 

 several years, so that in a financial view the Crinan and Caledonian Canal 

 are much upon a par. 



Mr. Thoms(m's attention was so much taken up by the repair of the 

 damaged gati', and of a leak in tlie bank, that I had but little opportunity 

 of conversation w ith him ; but it appeared to me that the machinery of the 

 locks and bridges was not suflicicntly attended to, and that more attention 

 to cleaning, oiling and preserving, w.as wanted generally; this might arise 

 from a desire to save every expense, but it is surely bad economy, and 

 perhaps the same desiie extending to the commissioners, prevents their 

 having an out-door superintendent or clerk who can afford to give his 

 undiviiled altenlion to the stale and interests of the canal. Upon a work 

 of (his niaguilude, and now depending for its success upon despatch, such 

 a person would appear to me indispensable, even if I had not had the 

 opportunity (though certahily short) of witnessing it. I should likewise 

 recommend regular returns to be made, not only of tJie number and descrip- 

 tion of vessels that pass the canal, but of the time taken from their 

 approaching the entrance to entering the lake at the other end. and if any 

 delay, the cause of it; also of all accidents, and the cause of them. 



Tile acciiunts of receipts and disbursements appear to have been returned 

 more regularly within the last three years. If there is any regular audi! of 

 accounts, I have not been informed of it; altogether the Crinan Canal does 

 appear to have been treated as if it were a favourite concern. 



Although regularity and despatch will do great things. I have a worse 

 opinion of the Crinan Canal, taken by itself, than of the Caledonian 

 Canal, as an ultimate measure ; but, if kept in an efficient slate, it must be 

 beneficial as a public navigation, and an important arm of the Caledonian 

 Canal. 



As I did not expect to be called upon for any opinion respecting it, this 

 meagre account must be excused, and I have no documents to enable me 

 to estimate the expense of the works which I have recommended. 



The idea of a railway by the side of the canal has been suggested; by 

 this (even if worked by horses) passengers might be conveyed in an hour 

 with greater certainty than they now are in four. A steamer of proper 

 dimensions for passengers would work from Glasgow, &c., to Ardrisshaig, 

 and from Crinan to Inverness. For cheap passengers and lieavy goods, the 

 present steam-boats going less frequently than at jiresent would sullice. 

 That this would increase the despatch and character, and therefore the 

 extent of communication, cannot be doubled; but the increase must be 

 great to warrant such an establishment of steam-packets, winch would of 

 course be a private concern. I do not think the cost of laying a railway 

 upon the banks would be heavy. My opinion on the whole is, that the 

 necessary repairs to the Crinan C.anal, the deepening of the entrances, and 

 other things I have recommended, should be done forthwith, and a vigilant 

 superintendence established ; but I do not see my way in this so clearly as 

 to advise more to be done at present. 



BIRMINGHAM RAIIAV.W SIGNALS. 



Everv station is Inrnishcd with an alarum, to give notice of the approach 

 of each' train, and to summon the whole of the men to their appointed 

 places. These alarums are so constructed, that a weight is wound up after 

 thev have performed their office which prepares them to perform it again. 

 On seeing the forlbcoming train has reached the proper spot, the policeman 

 stationed at tliem pulls a trigger, and the weight begins to descend, ringing a 

 loud gong shaped bell by means of intenial machineiy. Bells are also bung 

 so as,"in a few seconds, to collect together the whole of the men belonging to 

 the station for any required purpose. , » . , 



The police are placed along the line at distances varying from one to three 

 miles, according as local circumstances rendered it necessary. Each man 

 has his beat and duties defined, and is provided with two signal flags, one of 

 which is red and the other white : tfie white flag is held out when no 

 obstruction exists; and, on the contrary, the red flag indicates that there 

 is danger, and that the train must not pass the signal till it is ascertained 

 that the cause of danger is removed. 



Each policeman, also, is furnished with a revolving signal lamp, to be used 

 after dark ; which shows, at the will of the holder, a white light when the 

 line is clear; a ureen one when it is necessary to use caution, and the speed 

 of the tr.ain be diminished; and a red light, to intimate the necessity of ira- 

 medialcly stopping. — Roscoe's Londtm and Birminr/liam Railway. 



The Lii.ror Obtlisk— The faces of the pedestal of tlie nbelisk in the Tlace de k 

 Concorde, which look tiiwards the Chamber of Deputies .in.l Ihe Church of the Ma- 

 deleiie. arc to be engraved nith representations of the apparatus used in Inking it 

 down nt Luxor, and in raising it where it new stands. Tlie desigii.s are taken from a 

 work published hy M. I.ebas, the engineer, who brought the mouumeut from Egypt 

 and erected it. The other two fiices are to beai- the Inllowiug inscriptions : — " Ludo- 

 vietis Pliilipims I., FiaucurLun Kex, ut aotiquissinumi art s Egyptiactc opus, irlemque 

 recentis gloriic aJ Nihiin arrais parta' insigne monutnentum, Francis nb ipsa .Egypto 

 doiiatum, posteiitati prorogarel, obeliscum die XXV .\ug. a. MDC'CCXXXII. The- 

 tis Hoeatoinpylis avecluni naviq. ad id. constriicta, intra menses XIII in Gallium 

 perductum, er'igcndum riiravit d. XXV Octob. a. JIDCCCX.XX\'I, anno regni Sep- 

 timo." *' Kn presence du Roi Louis-Philippe ser, cet obcliscpie, tiausportc de Loug- 

 sur en France, a etc dredst sur ce picdestal par M. I^ebas. iugenieur, aux applaiidis. 

 semens dun peupic immense, le XXV Octobre, MDC'CCXXXVl." 



