Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain/Arun River
ARUN RIVER.
- 6 George II. Cap. 12, Royal Assent ——— 1732.
- 33 George III. Cap. 100, Royal Assent 30th April, 1793.
The navigation, to which the above acts apply, extends from Arundel Port, at the mouth of the Arun, to the town of Arundel, a distance only of five miles and three quarters: but the object of the first act, entitled, 'An Act for erecting Piers in, and for repairing and keeping in repair, the Harbour of Littlehampton, called Arundel Port, in the county of Sussex,' was not so much the improvement of the navigation as for the harbour, and for the protection of shipping therein.
By this act, commissioners were appointed to cut a new channel, through the sea-beach, at Littlehampton, and other works therein specified, which are here passed over as not coming within the object of the present publication. Tolls were granted for the purpose of repaying the monies which were borrowed for carrying into execution the works designed.
When this was effected, and all arrears of interest paid off, one-half of the said duties were to be taken off, and the other half to be retained, for the purpose of preserving the harbour, and navigation of the river, to the town of Arundel.
In the preamble of the second act, entitled, 'An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the Sixth Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, entitled, An Act for erecting Piers in, and for repairing and keeping in repair, the Harbour of Littlehampton, called Arundel Port, in the county of Sussex; and for empowering the Commissioners, acting under the said Act, to improve the Navigation of the River Arun,from the said Harbour, to the town of Arundel, in the said county,' it is stated that the commissioners have repaid the sums of money, and interest, expended in constructing the harbour of Littlehampton, under the act of 6th George II. and that half the duties, therein granted, have consequently ceased. Under the last act, the same commissioners, as under the original act, are re-appointed to carry into effect the provisions of the same, and have power to borrow any sum, not exceeding £2,000, with interest, on an assignment of the rates, tolls, or duties, authorized to be taken on the said navigation.
In lieu of the rates granted by the first act, the following are allowed under the act of the 33rd George III.
TONNAGE RATES.
| d. | |
| For Tan or Bark, which shall be imported or exported, laid on board, landed or discharged out of any Ship or Vessel in the Port of Arundel | 6 per Ton. |
| Spars or Ufers | 4 per Dozen. |
| Pipe Staves | 6 per Hundred. |
| Hogshead Staves | 4 ditto. |
| Barrel Staves | 2 ditto. |
| Flour and Meal | 1½ per Quarter. |
- The other Duties, not being enumerated, are according to the Act of the 6th George II.
The tolls and duties, after payment of principal and interest of money borrowed, are to be applied entirely to the keeping of the harbour and navigation in good preservation. Vessels belonging to the port of Arundel are exempt from toll or duties, in consideration of the inhabitants of that town and port having expended, on the harbour, &c. the sum of £28,300. It is also worthy of remark that they are, on this account, by the above-mentioned act, made free of the harbours, ports, and havens of Dover, Rye, Ramsgate, and Sandwich. There is also a clause which reserves to the Duke of Norfolk, as water-bailiff of the River Arun, all the privileges he before enjoyed.
Though the powers of the two preceding acts extend only to Arundel Bridge, yet there is a good tideway navigation to Houghton Bridge, a distance of seven miles and a half, whence the Arun River Navigation commences. There is no act of parliament relating to this portion of the river; it is free of toll. At Ford, about half way between Arundel Harbour and the town of Arundel, the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal commences, the particulars of which will be found in the proper place.