History of Canal and River Navigations. 197 



look in vain on the map for any extended through route in 

 the hands of a single independent company. 



In proceeding from London to Birmingham a boat 

 traverses canals owned by five companies, and cannot enter 

 the latter city, or circle round it, without passing over a canal 

 controlled by a railway company. Manchester was served 

 by the Bridgewater, as Leeds is by the Aire and Calder 

 Navigation, but in 1872 the Bridgewater Canal passed 

 virtually under railway control, although nominally pur- 

 chased for an independent company, and was redeemed at an 

 increased cost of 100% by the Ship Canal Company in 1887. 



The waterway from Sheffield to the Humber is in the 

 hands of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Rail- 

 way Company, but so much dissatisfaction was aroused at 

 the condition of the navigation that in 1889 an Act of 

 Parliament was obtained enabling an independent company 

 to compel the railway company to sell the navigation to 

 it, at a price to be fixed by the Railway and Canal Com- 

 missioners. 



This is a sign that the paralysis is checked and a healthier 

 feeling is aroused. Such a move made in the right direction 

 should be followed up until the rest of the waterways are 

 divorced from railway control and management. 



At the present time 43 navigable waterways are con- 

 trolled by 13 different railway companies. The London 

 and North- Western Railway Company controls 6 canals, 

 having a total length of 460 miles, including the shortest 

 route between Birmingham and the Mersey ports ; while 

 by its hold over the Birmingham Canal Company the North- 

 western Railway Company has its grasp upon 159 miles of 

 the most important narrow canals in the centre of England. 

 The Great Western Railway Company controls no less than 

 12 canals ; but the length of these is no more than 260 miles, 

 including, however, the Kennet and Avon Canal, which is 

 the most desirable route between the Thames and the 



