Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain/Arun River Navigation
ARUN RIVER NAVIGATION.
- 25 George III. Cap. 100, Royal Assent 13th May, 1785.
THE River Arun has its source on the eastern side of the High Downs, called Hind Head, a range of mountains, having an elevation of 923 feet above the sea, at low water, and at a short distance north of the town of Haslemere, in the county of Surrey; when, after taking an easterly course for some miles, it enters Sussex at Aldfold: whence it takes a southerly direction to New Bridge, near Billinghurst, where this navigation commences. In its course from Aldfold, to the last mentioned place, it is crossed several times by the Wey and Arun Canal. From New Bridge, a canal four miles and a half long has been cut, in a parallel course with the Arun, on its western bank, to near Haresfold, where it crosses to the east side, and continues in that course to Pallenham Wharf, when the river becomes navigable. From this place it pursues a southerly direction of two miles and three quarters, to Stopham, where the Rother, also a navigable river, falls into it: hence, taking a circuitous route, by Pulborough and Greatham, it reaches Greatham Bridge, to which place a canal, one mile and three quarters long, has been cut, in nearly a direct line, from the junction with the Bother. By this canal, the circuitous course, above described, is avoided, and five miles saved in the distance between Stopham and Greatham Bridge. From the latter place, the river makes several considerable bends to Houghton Bridge, (a distance of four miles, from the end of the canal), where this navigation, made under the powers of an act, passed in the 25th of George III. entitled, 'An Act for amending and improving the Navigation of the River Arun, from Houghton Bridge, in the parish of Houghton, in the county of Sussex, to Pallenham Wharf, in the parish of Wisborough Green, in the said county; and for continuing and extending the Navigation of the said River Arun, from the said Wharf, called Pallenham Wharf, to a certain Bridge, called New Bridge, situate in the parishes of Pulborough and Wisborough Green, in the said county of Sussex,' ceases. The length of the river and cuts, belonging to this navigation, is thirteen miles; but to the sea, at Arundel Port, it is twenty-six miles and a quarter. The lower portion of this, however, is made navigable under other powers, and with different provisions, which will be described under the head of Arun River.
The subscribers to this work, thirty-one in number, were incorporated as "The Company of Proprietors of the River Arun "Navigation," within the limits pointed out in the language of the title of the act before recited, and were authorized to raise amongst themselves, for carrying into execution the said act, the sum of £10,000, by one hundred shares of £100 each, which shares are personal estate.
This canal is navigable for vessels drawing 3 feet 1 inch water, and the following rates of tonnage are allowed:—
TONNAGE RATES.
| s. d. | ||
| For Timber, Planks, Coal, Lime, Corn, Grain and all other Goods, Wares or Merchandize whatsoever (except Firewood, Chalk, Soil and Dung) from Houghton Bridge to Pallenham Wharf | 0 9 | per Ton |
| Firewood, Chalk, Soil. and Dung | 0 6 | ditto. |
| For the same Articles (with the exception as above) passing between Pallenham Wharf and the End of the Navigation at New Bridge | 2 3 | ditto. |
| The excepted Articles as above | 0 6 | ditto. |
| For every Light Barge passing through all or any of the Locks | 1 0 | ditto. |
In clause 14, a novel mode is resorted to for preventing impositions, in regard to the quantity conveyed along this navigation; for it is there enacted, that all boatmen, &c. navigating this river, between Arundel Port and Pallenham Wharf, shall receive, for freight, including dues or rates, as follows:—
| s. d. | ||
| For Coals | 3 6 | per Chaldron. |
| Timber, Planks, Lime, Corn, Grain, Firewood and all other Goods, Wares and Merchandize | 3 6 | per Ton. |
| Chalk, Soil and Dung, from Houghton Chalk Pits | 13 0 | per Barge Load of Eight Tons. |
And so in proportion for every Ton of Chalk, Soil and Dung.
A Penalty of £5 is recoverable from any Bargeman before a Justice of the Peace, should be claim any higher Sum than above specified.
No Tolls to be taken for Vessels navigating the Old River Arun between Greatham and Stopham Bridges.
Sea Gravel, brought to repair any of the Roads leading in the direction of New Bridge Wharf to be exempted from Toll, excepting the Sum of One Shilling per Barge for any of the Locks upon the Navigation.
The affairs of this navigation are managed by a committee of three proprietors, subject to the control of a general assembly of proprietors, held twice a year.
The proprietors have a power, by public auction, to let or demise the rates and dues for any term not exceeding two years.
The original, and chief, object of this navigation was the supply of coal and fuel to the interior, and for the export of agricultural produce; but by the execution of the Wey and Arun Canal, which falls into the Wey, (and thence to the Thames), a direct communication is made with London, and when the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal is completed, a large additional revenue will doubtless be added to this concern, by the receipt of tolls upon marine stores, which, in time of war, may be safely transmitted from the Metropolis, by this conveyance, to the depot at Portsmouth.