runs by Stone, and continues in a south-easterly direction by Great Heywood, Wolseley Park, Hagley Park and Rugeley, to Cattor Hall; then, bending north-easterly, it runs by Drakelow Park to Burton-upon-Trent, where it becomes navigable, and is there joined by a short branch from the Trent and Mersey Canal; continuing its course north-easterly by Newton Park to near Swarkestone, where the Derby Canal locks down into it, it proceeds by Donnington Park to Wilden Ferry, there uniting with the Trent and Mersey Canal; thence running easterly a short distance, it is joined by the River Soar or Loughborough Navigation, and on the opposite side by the Erewash Canal; bending a little northerly by Thrumpton and Clifton Halls, where the Beeston Cut, which communicates with the Nottingham Canal, joins it on the north side, it runs down to Nottingham, there receiving the Grantham Canal; proceeding north-easterly it passes East Bridgeford, Stoke Hall, Newark and Marnham Hall, to Torksey Lock, at which place the Foss Dyke Navigation, extending to Lincoln, communicates with it.; thence taking a northerly course by Burton Hall, Lea Hall and Gainsborough, it proceeds to West Stockwith, where the Chesterfield Canal locks into it, and where it is also joined by the River Idle; continuing its northerly course by Owston to Keadby Lock, taking the Stainforth and Keadby Canal in its way, it proceeds to the junction with the River Ouse, at a place called Trentfalls, opposite to Flaxfleet, and from the union of these rivers, to the sea, forms the Humber.
The first act of parliament relating to the navigation of the River Trent, was passed in 1699, and is entitled, 'An Act for making and keeping the River Trent, in the counties of Leicester, Derby and Stafford, navigable.' This act vested the tolls to be taken under its authority in the Earl of Uxbridge, or his lessees, and empowered him or them to take the following
TONNAGE RATE.
| For all Goods carried on any Part of the Navigation | 3d per Ton. |
It appears that the lessees of the Earl took little pains to improve the navigation, for so many shoals continued to exist, as rendered the river impassable in dry seasons.
