The length of the Duke's Canal from Castle Field, in Manchester, to near Longford Bridge, where the main line leaves the Worsley Branch, is three miles and a quarter; and from the last-mentioned place to Preston Brook, where it joins the Trent and Mersey, is eighteen miles and a half; and from thence to Runcorn, is five miles and a quarter, all on the same level, at which place it has a fall into the tideway of the Mersey, at low water, of 82½ feet, by ten locks. The branch to Worsley is five miles, and from thence to Leigh is six miles, and are both upon the same level with the main line.
TONNAGE RATES.
| For all Coal, Stone, Timber, and other Goods, Wares, Merchandise, and Commodities whatsoever, passing on any part of, or on all his Navigations, (with the exception of that part between Ruocorn and Preston Brook) | 2s 6d per Ton. |
| For passing by the New Locks and Basin at Runcorn | 0s 8d ditto, in addition. |
| For every description of Articles (except Paving-stones) passing to or from the Rochdale Canal, into or out of the Duke's Canal, at Manchester | 1s 2d per Ton. |
| Paving-stones | 0s 4d ditto |
All kinds of Manure, and Stones for repairing the Roads, are exempt from the Payment of Toll.
For the purpose of continuing this justly celebrated canal on one level from Manchester to Runcorn, and from Longford Bridge, by Worsley, to Leigh, great embankments became necessary, in consequence of the numerous vallies which intercept its course; amongst them is one over Stretford Meadows, nine hundred yards in length, 17 feet high, and 112 feet at the base; that made at Barton Aqueduct, where it is 39 feet above the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, is two hundred yards in length. There is also a stupendous embankment between Dunham Massey and Oughtrington Hall. The whole of these canals and branches, with the exception of the cut to Leigh, were executed in five years, under the direction of Mr. Brindley, and at an expense to his noble patron of upwards of £220,000; but, as it all issued from his private purse, the public have no means of arriving at the exact amount, nor have they much better means of ascertaining the annual income, though it was estimated, some years ago, at £130,000.
