196 Mr. Lionel B. Wells on the 



beam, or less, and carry cargoes of from 18 to 30 tons, 

 according to the draft of water, aggregate 1,240 miles. The 

 capacity of a narrow canal efficiently worked is shown by 

 the Birmingham and Warwick Junction, which is only 

 2y 2 miles long, and has a single line of six locks in that 

 short distance. It carries, nevertheless, 195,000 tons per 

 annum. 



It is noticeable that, with scarcely an exception, the sills 

 of the locks are well below the navigable draft of the water- 

 way, proving clearly that a much better route could be 

 provided, and was intended to be provided by the founders 

 of the Canals. 



This is a matter of vital importance, for every additional 

 inch of draft allows of an additional ton of cargo being 

 carried by a narrow canal boat ; and as the other expenses, 

 including haulage, are scarcely affected by the weight 

 added, the addition is almost clear gain to the merchant or 

 carrier. 



The same horse will haul at an equal speed a narrow 

 boat loaded with 20 tons on a narrow canal, a barge loaded 

 with 40 to 50 tons on a well-maintained barge canal, or a 

 vessel loaded with 100 tons on a 10ft. waterway, such as is 

 provided on the Weaver. Two horses haul 200 tons and 

 upwards on this navigation ; but the large barges from 200 

 to 350 tons are, as a rule, propelled by steam or towed by a 

 steamer. On the Continent canal barges, carrying 250 to 

 300 tons, are hauled by two horses. 



Not long since the condition of our inland waterways 

 was not inaptly termed one of creeping paralysis. The 

 advent of the railways alarmed most of the Companies, and 

 Parliament hastened to assist in their degradation by handing 

 them over wholesale to the control of their rivals. In the 

 session of 1 846 alone 1 7 Acts of Parliament were obtained, by 

 which y/6 miles of waterway passed under the control of 

 railway companies. It is not, therefore, surprising that we 



