Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain/Bourn Eau River

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BOURN EAU RIVER.

21 George III. Cap. 22, Royal Assent 29th March, 1781.

This river proceeds from the navigable River Glen, in Deeping Fen, in a north-western direction to the town of Bourn. It is three miles and a half in length, and nearly straight.

It appears by the preamble of the only act relating to this navigation, entitled, 'An Act for improving the Navigation of the River called Bourn Eau, from the town of Bourn to its Junction with the River Glen, at a place called Tongue End, in the county of Lincoln,' that it had been previously used as a navigation, but that it had become of little use, in consequence of being nearly choked up by mud, and other obstructions; the above recited act, therefore, gives authority to trustees therein named, to make good the navigation by scouring, cleansing, and making the same 5 feet deep and 30 feet wide, where its present banks will admit of it.

TONNAGE RATES.[edit]

For all Goods, Wares, Merchandize or Commodities whatsoever 2s 6d per Ton.

And so in proportion for any greater or less Weight than a Ton.

The trustees, in whom this navigation is vested, are the lord of the manor of Bourn, with the members for the time being; the owner of Bourn South Fen Pastures; the lord of the manor of Bourn Abbots, with its members, and nine other persons, three to be chosen annually by each of the parties above-mentioned; also all other persons who shall be holders of £100 stock, to be raised for the purposes of this act. The sum of £60 per annum is paid to the trustees by the owners of an estate of eight hundred and sixty acres, situate on the banks of the river, and which, at the time the act was obtained, belonged to Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Bart. in quittance of the obligation he was under of keeping in repair a considerable portion of the north-west bank of this navigation, and which, in consequence, devolved upon the trustees. The Marquis of Exeter also pays to the trustees the sum of forty shillings annually on a similar account.

The principal use to which this navigation is put, is to facilitate the conveyance of the surplus agricultural produce of the fens, to the port of Boston, (to which it has communication by the River Glen) and to supply Bourn and its environs with groceries and other articles.