336 



THE CIVIL ENGINEIiR AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. [November, 



Clyde Navigation. 

 Evideuce of J. W<tlker, C.E. 

 The proposed weir on Clyde is lo be placed on (lie level of the low-vpater 

 in the river before improvements l)ej;an. Tide now falls out from 2 to 3 

 iVet lower than formerly. Tide (lows feebly 2 miles above the proposed 

 site for vreir. Depth of ihe Clyde at Glas;^ow does not depend upon the 

 tide, but on the river freshes. Every fresh carries away more soil than it 

 brings down. Rate of tide at Glasgow 1 mile, of a fresh 4^ miles an honr. 

 I'racticallv the weir in the Clyde does not impede improvements of the 

 river. Just below the weir is a [jully of 1.5 feet deptli. Before the deep- 

 ening of the river above bridge by the trustees, its bed was nearly dry. 

 If it could he done, is quite ready to lake upon himself professionally the 

 whole responsibility of removing the weir up to Dalmarnock. By this the 

 river near Glasgow would be materially improved ; it would form a large 

 basin, and would extend the harbour 2 miles higher up. If the weir were 

 removed the river in a fresh might so scour the banks and bed, as to bring 

 down Kutherglen Bridge. Would wish anything done to increase the flow 

 and ebb of the tide lo the utmost, but the opposition would he too strong to 

 attempt to carry such a measure now. Has contemplated a plan for re- 

 moving the weir, by having a ppe from Dalmarnock to the factories m the 

 citv. Cranston Water-works might be united with the Glasgow Water- 

 ^vo'rks. If the change of channel could have been made completely from 

 the north to the south side of Newshot Isle, it might have been desirable 

 to do 50, but under the circumstances it was wrong to begin such a work, 

 as the weir could not keep two channels open. Saw the resident engineer 

 <m that occasion, but as liennie, Telford, and Logan, all preferred the north 

 channel, he saw no sufficient reason to change it. Since 1839, has been 

 frequently consulted as to improvements, but not as lo the mode of carrying 

 out works. IMr. Logan gave Ihe lines of parallel dykes which have been 

 slightly modified. It would be mischievous to remove the dykes, or to 

 widen lo any great extent ; Clyde has been more improved than any river 

 in the world; in Smeaton's time, only 3 feet at high water at Glasgow 

 <iuay ; but by the skill of Golborne, Rennie, and Telf.ird, it has been 

 brou-l.t to its present s'ate ; if Clyde had been made too wide at first, the 

 jireseiit depth would not have been obtained, nor the consequent large re- 

 venue ; by widening it now lo nearly double the former width, great in- 

 cicase of dredging will be required. Depth in upper part of river due to 

 freshes; in the lower to tides; all the lower dykes should be half-lide 

 d\ke3. Considers it would be waste of money to close the channel north 

 <if Newshot Isle, and lo open the south side. The gain in distance would 

 be 130 jards iu 2 miles. If the section of Ihe soulh channel made by Mr. 

 Aird be correct, the removal of half a mile of solid rock would cost tea 

 times Mr. Bald's eslimate. There is a longitudinal section of the river 

 from (Glasgow to Greenock. The removal of the weir at Glasgow llridge 

 has so deepened the river, that Stockwell Bridge is in danger of falling, 

 and as the deepening is to go on, it seems fair that Ihe river trustees should 

 pay the additional expense, caused by founding the piers so much deeper, 

 and by removing the weir 1100 yards higher up the stream. Sir John 

 M'Neil and witness reported that 8,100/. would be a fair sum to be paid 

 for this purpose. 



The Glasgow Junction Railway Company purpose to carry a line of 

 rails across the Clyde upon two piers 15 feet wide, to be built in the middle 

 of the river, at IC yards below Glasgow Bridge ; height of middle arch to 

 be 35 feet aljove high water. The Glasgow Bridge has G piers, average 

 V,\ feet wide, taking up 51 feel of the water-way. The railroad might 

 cross a quarter of a mile above Rutherglen Bridge. 



Evidence of Gray Turner, Esq, Deputy Ckairmnn, and Mr. Turner, 

 Secretary to the Clyde Trust. 

 Cannot speak exactly as to increased depth, as the only soundings in the 

 river that the trustees would be responsible for, were taken in 1839. iMr. 

 liald was instructed by the Committee lo deepen the Port Glasgow Bank. 

 Has no knowledge of the Board having forbidden the removal of boulder. 

 It appears from the Minute produced, that Mr. SpreuU, the treasurer, did 

 issue such an order, but he had no authority to do so. Many Reports 

 have been received from Mr. Bald, recommending improvements iu the 

 upper part of the river. Mr. Walker has been consulted as to improve- 

 iiients within five years, but not as to the plan of carrying them out. It is 

 proposed that the Clyde Trust shall pay SUOOi. towards erecting the Stock- 

 well Bridge, upon condition of the piers being founded deep enough to ad- 

 mit of deepening Glasgow Harbour. Foundations and weir at Stockwell 

 Bridge slrcngthened a few years since ; it was necessary to do so, as the 

 Water Company complained of losing their water; and it was done by 

 driving a row of piles across the river, under an order of the Court of 

 Session, 



Ecidence of J. Milhr, Engineer to the Glasgow Junction Railway Company. 

 The proposed railway will cross the Clyde at a height of 39 feet above 

 high water mark, with three arches, resting on two piers 15 feet wide each- 

 The clear water-way of the river here is 430 feet ; span of centre arch 180 

 feet. The objections to taking the line above Glasgow are— 1st, The iu- 

 oreased distauce of six miles ; 2udly, That it would not be a thorough line, 

 and so breaks up the traflic, as iu witness's opinion, to be of no public 

 benefit. 



Whiteiiavi!n and Furness Junction Railroad. 

 Evidence of G. Sterenson, C.E. 

 Proposed line goes along the coast from Whitehaven to St. Bees, Raven- 



glas?, and across the Duddon Sands to Furness ; Ihe object is to carry the 

 iron-stone. No part of the plan, at present, is to cross Morecanibe Bay, 

 but it may be next year. Proposes to cross Duddon Sands by an arched 

 embankment IJ mile loug. Would probably cut off 5000 acres of the 

 Duddon Sands, at 4 miles below Broughton. Means to make an outlet for 

 the river Duddon, but this is not in the Bill ; mode of proceeding would 

 be by piles ; then to lay a wooden railway at top 6 feet above high water 

 mark, and drag wogons to and fro loaded with stones to be dropped be- 

 tween the piles, and thus gradually raise all parts above high water. The 

 bed of the river above the embankment will become land, claimed by the 

 Crown and the neighbouring proprietors. If this line were obtained it 

 would be a reason for asking for a line, next year, to cross Morecambe 

 Bay, Complaints against Ihe embankment have come from Broughton, 

 and it is intended to give that place a railroad instead of the present navi- 

 gation. W^ould not propose a swing bridge ; the current of water would 

 be so strong that no engineer would undertake it. To cross from Shaw 

 Point lo Angerlon would carry the line a long way round. The present 

 proposal is the only line witness would undertake. 

 Evidence of II. 31. Denham, Commander in the Royal Navy, and F.R.S. 

 Has been engaged 30 years in the surveying service. Enumerates the 

 coasts and ports he has surveyed either in command or as assistant, among 

 others the river Lune and Morecambe Bay, in Lancashire. Opinion as to 

 the dilliculty of maintaining a deep-water entrance to the Lune ; discovered 

 deep-water channel from Lune Deep to Poulton Ring, iu Morecambe Bay, 

 Proposes to make docks at that place, distant only ij miles from Lancas- 

 ter; the ground is level, and easily connected by railioad. F"ar preferable 

 to any attempt at improving the navigation of the Lune. River may be 

 deepened to IG feet from Glasson Dock to the ne^v bridge. Expense of 

 culling canal (including breast-work and basins) from Poulton to Lancas- 

 ter, 130,000(. This would give 12 feet of water at pier-heads without 

 deepening ; Harbour at Poulton would avoid the delays of navigating the 

 river ; has known ships of 17 feet detained six days bound to Glasson. 

 Compared his survey of 1844 with one projected in 1826, is of opinion that 

 the latter could not have represented the features of the banks, from the 

 great dissimilarity of the two. From common report, since 1820, the sands 

 have not advanced. Tide flows up the Kent within half a mile of Leven's 

 Bridge, 12 miles above Poulton ; navigable only for flats up to Milnthorpe. 

 The enclosing of the bay would create a large tract of land, and facilitate 

 railroad communication between Lancashire and Cumberland. If such a 

 project were carried out, a harbour at Poulton could not be maintained, 

 unless by Ihe Kent and Keer rivers being brought down on the south side 

 of the bay. Is of opinion that present depth at Poulton Ring depends on 

 the flux and reflux of tidal water. Depth of water at high-water springs, 

 over the lop of the sand called Cartmell Wharf, 9 feet, across on the western 

 edge 13, three miles farther 9, then 13 feet below low-water level in the 

 channel ; 2 miles farther, 17 at high water. Full 57,000 acres of tidal 

 water would be excluded if project were carried out. Every enclosure of 

 sand would lessen the depth of Ihe bay. Is of opinion that any enclosure 

 would be prejudical to the outer channel; but inside would embank all 

 bights and sinuosities, and straighten the river course. From time imme- 

 morial, there has been deep water off Poulton Ring, ensuring a permanent 

 harbour. If 10,000/. were to be expended on the improvement of the Lune, 

 would do so on lights and buoys, and perching the channels and shallows. 

 Is not of opinion thalTOOO/. is sufficient to deepen the river lo 16 feet up to 

 Lancaster. Advises a floating light lo be placed ou the south-west spit 

 of the Fisher Bank Patches, and tidal lights in Sunderland and Chapel 

 Points, or Abbey Scare, by which means vessels could anchor in Sunder- 

 land Hole, or proceed over the 4 miles of flats or bars to Glasson by night. 

 Arrangements for lights are local, the Quay Commissioners possess the 

 light of M'aluey, erected in 1789, paying general toll ; it is imperfect in its 

 action ; and they have 3 or 4 buoys placed in an irregular way, under the 

 superintendence of a buoy master. Considers that local trustees should 

 have no control over the navigation beyond the high-water mouth of the 

 river. Walney light ought to be a channel light; it lights vessels from 

 Liverpool to ihe .Sulway, and all vessels entering the bay pay loll. It is a 

 very important light; it consists of a tower 80 feel high, with 3 argand 

 lamps and reflectors revolving, obscured every 5 minutes, showing bright 

 but one minute. Navigation of river Lune deteriorated within the last 20 

 years. Is of opinion that dredging would have little effect. System of 

 harrowing better and cheaper, such as was used in Victoria Channel, 

 Liverpool ; but is of opinion it could not be used successfully in the Lune. 

 The extension of the sand is the cause of injury to the navigation. Rise 

 of tide at foot of Lune 28 feet ; at Glasson Dock, at high spring tides, 24 

 feet, 21 at ordinary spring tides ; at Lancaster Bridge, 11 feet. Depth of 

 water between the present bridge and intended viaduct, 15^ feet at high 

 water ordinary springs, at low water Gj. No possibility of any vessel pro- 

 ceeding above the tirst buoy at foot of Lune, 11 miles below Lancaster 

 Quay, and 5 below Glasson Dock, without the aid of a pilot, owing to the 

 want of a light, and a proper system of buoyage. Is of opinion that if the 

 whole of such estuaries were placed under proper independent authority 

 on Ihe part of Governmeut, that the navigation might long ago have been 

 benefited. Has observed the same neglect in navigation under other l.ical 

 authorities, particularly seaward of the mouth of the river, and considers 

 that some conpetent authority, not local bodies, should direct the placing 

 of buoys and other necessary improvements. Harbours would then even- 

 tually be much improved, and the dues on shipping not misapplied. Per- 

 sons at present employed are not supported by the local aulhorilies, and 



