194 Mr. Lionel B. Wells on the 



.£2,070 per mile per annum, for apparently identical pur- 

 poses. No useful information can be gathered from such 

 figures as these. 



Many of the waterways of the first importance from the 

 traders' point of view have been, as already stated, secured 

 by railway companies, who are thus enabled to exercise an 

 undue control, and so to prevent active competition between 

 the water and land traffic. 



A reference to the map, on which the canals controlled by 

 railway companies are shown by a red line, those which are 

 independent by a blue one, makes this evident. Around 

 Manchester, Birmingham, and from Sheffield to the sea, 

 also in the colliery districts of South Wales, the waterways 

 have been to a great extent acquired by railway companies. 



On the map a distinctive number is attached to the canals 

 belonging to each separate company ; and by referring to 

 the table at the bottom, the name of the canal will be found 

 as well as the length ; also information as to its ownership 

 by railway companies. If known to be derelict or aban- 

 doned, this is stated. Ship canals are noted. 



The capacity of the various waterways is to some extent 

 indicated by the thickness of the lines drawn to represent 

 their course. Five different lines are employed : 



1. To represent a canal for narrow boats. 



2. Do. do. barges. 



3. Do. do, improved barge canals 6ft. 6in. 



deep and upwards. 



4. Do. ship canals from 13ft. to 18ft. in depth. 



5. Do. the Manchester Ship Canal. 



Of the 3,935 miles, 140 miles have been converted into 

 railways, and 275 miles are derelict or abandoned, leaving 

 3,520 miles of navigable waterways. 



Of this mileage the independent companies own 2,256 

 miles, and the railway companies 1,264 miles, more than 

 one-third of the total length of the existing inland water- 

 ways. 



