In the preamble of the act of the 10th George III. it is stated, that instead of a lock and dam at Merlin Ford, a more efficient navigation may be effected, by contracting the channel of the river and dredging; and that, being apprehensive that the high tonnage and keelage duties would be prejudicial to trade, they are therefore repealed. The other tonnage rates are to be paid on all articles, as above, passing between Dumbuck Ford and Glasgow.
The river to be made with 7 feet water, at neap tides; and the quay to be repaired and enlarged, and the following quay duties are allowed to be taken.
THE BROOMIELAW QUAY DUTIES.
| All Vessels brought to these Quays to load or unload | 1d per Ton. |
But these Duties are not to be applied to the Purpose of improving the Navigation.
For the Purpose of a more equitable payment of the Tonnage Duties, this Act divides the Clyde into Three Stages; the First terminates at Renfrew Ferry, the Second at Dalmuir Burn Foot, and the last at Dumbuck Ford. For the First Stage or any Part of it Four-sixths of the above Rate, and for the other Stages One-sixth each.
Fifty Feet of Round, or Forty Feet of Square Oak, Ash, or Elm Timber, or Fifty Feet of Fir, or Deal, Balk, Poplar, or other Wood, to be deemed a Ton.
The act of the 14th George III. entitled, An Act for explaining and amending an Act made in the Thirty-second Year of his late Majesty, for improving the Navigation of the River Clyde, to the city of Glasgow; and for building a Bridge cross the said River, from the said city to the village of Gorbells; and part of another Act, made in the Eighth Year of his present Majesty, for amending the said Act; and for repairing, widening, and enlarging the old Bridge cross the River of Clyde, from the city of Glasgow to the village of Gorbells, relates, chiefly, to the imposition of additional tolls and portages for the passage near the new bridge.
The act of the 49th George III. is entitled, An Act for explaining and amending Two Acts for improving the Navigation of the River Clyde to the city of Glasgow, in the preamble of which it is stated, that in consequence of some doubts which had arisen respecting the proper interpretation of such parts of the preceding acts as relates to the tonnage upon coal, some further explanation was necessary.
