Mersey or Grand Trunk Canal at the distance of three furlongs to the northward. The main line proceeds from the last-mentioned canal, a quarter of a mile to the eastward of the junction above-named, whence it takes a northwardly course by Osmaston Hall to Derby, on the east side of which town it crosses the River Derwent, thence, by Little Chester and Breadsall, to Little Eaton, where it terminates. The branch to join the Erewash Canal commences from the main line, on the north side of the Derwent, near Derby, whence, taking an eastwardly course, by Chaddesden, Spondon, Borrowash, and Breaston, it terminates in the Erewash Canal, about three quarters of a mile south of the village of Sandiacre. The length of the main line, from the Grand Trunk Canal to Derby, is five miles and a quarter, with a rise of 12 feet; and, to its termination at Little Eaton, it is three miles and a quarter, with a further rise of 17 feet. The branch to the Erewash is eight miles and a half, with a fall of 29 feet. From the northern end of the main line at Eaton, a railway proceeds by Horsley and Kilbourn, to Smithy House, which is nearly four miles and three quarters in length. From Smithy House there is a branch one mile and three quarters in length, to the collieries at Henmoor, situated one mile and a half east of the town of Belper; another one mile and a half in length, by the potteries, to the extensive coal works near Denby Hall; with a collateral branch out of the last-mentioned branch, three quarters of a mile in length, to other collieries north of Salterswood.
The canal is 44 feet wide at top, 24 feet at the bottom, and 5 feet deep; but the head level of the canal, which is two miles in length, and terminates at Little Eaton, is made 1 foot deeper, that it may act as a reservoir. The locks are 90 feet in length, and 15 feet wide.
This canal and railways were made under the authority of an act of the 33rd George III. entitled, 'An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Canal from the River Trent, at or near Swarkstone Bridge, to and through the borough of Derby, to Little Eaton, with a Cut out of the said Canal in or near the said borough, to join the Erewash Canal near Sandiacre, and for making Railways from such Canal to several Collieries in the parishes or liberties of Denby, Horsley, and Smalley, all in the county of
