Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain/Adur River
ADUR RIVER.
47 George III. Cap. 117, Royal Assent 13th August, 1807.
THE Adur River rises about four miles from Horsham, in Sussex, at a distance of thirty-six miles from the Metropolis, and takes a south-easterly course by West Grinstead, and the Baybridge Canal, to Binesbridge, to which place it was rendered navigable for barges drawing 4 feet water, by an act, entitled, 'An Act for improving the Navigation of a certain part of the River Adur, and for the better draining the Lowlands lying in the Levels above Beeding-bridge, and below Mock-bridge and Bines-bridge, all in the county of Sussex.'
From the Baybridge Canal, at Binesbridge, the river takes a southerly course, passing about a mile to the east of the town of Steyning, from thence to New Shoreham; when, passing to the south of the town, it takes an easterly course running parallel with the shore of the English Channel, until it falls into the same at Shoreham Harbour, a distance of about fourteen miles from Binesbridge.
This river was a very imperfect tideway navigation, previous to the passing of this act, but it is now made navigable for barges drawing 4 feet, although the act only authorizes the trustees, for carrying the same into execution, to make it a 3 feet navigation. Seventy-nine trustees, together with the commissioners of sewers of the Rape of Bramber, were appointed to carry the act into execution. The qualification was the possession of a clear annual rental of £50, or of a personal estate of £1,000.
The funds for carrying on the works for the improvement of this navigation and drainage, were raised by an assessment of two shillings per acre on all lands lying in the level above Beeding-bridge, during the years 1807, 1808, and 1809, under the authority of an act of the 23rd of Henry VIII. and after that such sum as the trustees and commissioners shall deem necessary. They are also empowered to borrow money on security of the tolls, rates, &c.
TONNAGE RATES.
| d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Between Shoreham Bridge and Beeding Bridge, all Goods, Wares or Merchandize | 1 per ton. | |
| Between Shoreham Bridge and the End of the Navigation at Binesbridge, for Chalk, Dung, Mould, Soil, Compost or other Articles (except Lime) to be used for the manuring of Land | ½ ditto, per Mile. | |
| For all other Goods, Wares, Commodities or Merchandize | 1 ditto, ditto. | |
| The River is free of Toll from Shoreham Harbour to Shoreham Bridge. | ||
AIRE AND CALDER NAVIGATION.
- 10 & 11 WiL III. C. 19, R. A. 4th May, 1699.
- 14 Geo. III. C. 96, R. A. 14th June, 1774.
- 1 Geo. IV. C. 39, R.A. 30th June, 1820.
- 9 Geo. W. C. 98, H. A. 19th June, 1828.
THE rendering these rivers applicable to the purposes of commerce forms one of the most important features in the history of our inland navigation, and as they were made navigable under an act of parliament, passed above fifty years prior to the date of any enactment for a canal navigation, a brief outline of this extensive and useful undertaking may not prove unacceptable to our readers.
The source of the Aire is in Maiham Tarn, a fine sheet of water belonging to Lord Ribblesdale, situate a few miles east of