Chapter 1

Transcribed from the March 1820 edition by David Price, email [email protected]

REPORT OF THE KNARESBROUGH RAIL-WAY COMMITTEE.

TO THE NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN,

Proprietors of Estates,

ON THE ADOPTED LINE;

TO THE SUBSCRIBERS FOR THE SURVEY, _AND TO AN ENLIGHTENED AND LIBERAL PUBLIC_,

This Report OF THE KNARESBROUGH RAIL-WAY,

(_Originally intended for a Canal_)

IS WITH ALL DUE DEFERENCE AND REGARD PRESENTED BY THEIR FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT SERVANTS, THE COMMITTEE.

PREFACE.

If the River Nidd and the brooks adjacent, in the vicinity of Knaresbro', up the valley to Ramsgill, near Pateley-Bridge, and near the adopted line, had not possessed the many water-falls, and given motion to the sixty-seven mills which they do;--or had the great landed proprietors, on the line now adopted been hostile to this all improving project, of this highly favoured and not less honoured, their native district;--or had the hand of Nature, when it varied the surface of our earth, no doubt for wise purposes, and formed those high hills, composed their bowels of any other substance than what it is;--or had the commercial necessities of Knaresbro' and its neighbourhood not existed, and the slow progress of their redemption, compared with others, at one time of far less note, not been too apparent; then, perhaps, this project, commendable as it is, would have shared the same fate, during a season of sickness, which it did twenty years ago.

But since these falls of water do exist, and are always ready to lend their willing aid to turn the ponderous wheels which impart motion to many mill-stones and many thousand spindles, beyond the possibility of denial;--and since the great landed proprietors have expressed nothing unfriendly to the project, but, if any thing, the reverse, at this moment of national difficulties and distress, highly to their credit and understanding;--and since the all-wise hand of Providence hath permitted an unceasing demand in one place, and a never-failing supply in another, at distances perhaps the most suitable and interesting for a work of this kind; {vi}--and, considering the necessity which the commerce of this district so evidently requires in an improved mode of transporting, from place to place, its heavy weights, with despatch and cheapness; then there can be no doubt of the propriety of prosecuting a scheme of this kind, so long, as we believe, on substantial data, that the completion of it will reward the shareholder, and give to this place what it once possessed, and be the means of rendering it again the first district in the kingdom for the manufacture of linens.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.

At a meeting held the 16th day of March, 1818, in the Town's-Hall, at Knaresbro', your Committee were authorised to appoint a suitable person to take a survey of the country, in order to point out the most eligible line for a Canal to Knaresbro'.

After various correspondence with different engineers, the choice of your Committee fell upon Thomas Telford, Esq. a gentleman of long experience, and of whose abilities, as a civil engineer, every reliance was placed. About the latter end of May following, this gentleman visited Knaresbro', viewed the localities of the place, took running and comparative levels over the shortest and most convenient ground, to the higher side of Linton-lock, and also towards Tadcaster. In the latter direction, as being a more direct communication with the port of Hull, he fully recommended a close survey to be made, for which purpose he sent his assistant Mr. Palmer, who commenced the survey with such other assistance as he required, about the latter end of June, and continued surveying and levelling in various directions until the middle of September;--about this time your Committee became alarmed for the success of the intended Canal, both on account of the unfavourable ground between the town of Knaresbro' and Ribston, and the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient head of water in a natural manner.

Besides at this time the elevated situation of Knaresbro' above the Wharfe was ascertained to be 198 feet, equal to 22 locks of 9 feet each; and hence, even if water could be obtained at a cheap rate, by artificial means, the number of locks requisite for locking down into a navigable part of the river Wharfe or Ouse, distant about twenty miles, would alone render the project unadvisable, by swelling the expense of the work in such a manner as would totally destroy the expected advantages to be derived by the trade of Knaresbro' and the surrounding neighbourhood, or leave little or no hopes for the shareholders receiving a fair per centage for their money embarked.

Under these circumstances your committee abandoned all further hopes of a Canal, and notwithstanding the funds then collected for the survey were exhausted, they relied on the same spirit which gave rise to the project, and felt convinced of the great utility and advantages of a Rail-way, if taken from a navigable part of the river Wharfe, and continued, passing Knaresbro', up the valley to Pateley-Bridge.

The object of extending the work thus far, was, in order to secure the back carriage of the lead, which is produced on a large scale in that neighbourhood, besides the excellent lime for agricultural purposes made at Greenhow-Hill, and the very excellent stone to be had there for making and repairing of highways; together with the inexhaustible quantities of stone for all purposes of building, which by the accounts we have of it, cannot be excelled; and also the produce of many flax and cotton mills, all of which are turned by water, and hence more likely to increase in number than diminish; the quantity of tonnage to be found in that direction, at a comparatively small expense in obtaining it, added to the tonnage of the lower end of the line, would, undoubtedly increase, not only the utility of the work, as regards the country in general, but give a preponderating quantity of tonnage in a descending direction; the advantages of which were so obvious to your Committee, that a survey nearly upon new ground was undertaken, and continued under very favourable hopes, till at length it was brought within the compass of both plans and sections, and exhibited to your Committee about the latter end of January, 1819.

From which data, and what more Mr. Palmer was able to give Mr. Telford from his own observations, your Committee requested Mr. Telford to give his estimates of the most advantageous manner of communicating this place with the navigable part of the river Ouse at Acaster Sailby, (this being at that time the point fixed on at the lower end of the line) either by a double Rail-way only, or by a double Rail-way to the Brook Crimple, and hence by a Canal to Acaster Sailby, taking the water from this brook as a supply, and forward from Knaresbro' to Pateley-bridge, by a single Rail-way, with passing places.

The separate expenses of each, as furnished by Mr. Telford, are below:--

MR. TELFORD'S ESTIMATE. Pounds 4.75 miles, with 116 From the lowest part 15,794 feet fall. of the Bond End, at the bottom of the High-Street, in Knaresbro', to the Brook Crimple, on Ribston-Green, a double Railway 9m. 1140 yds. with 82 From the Crimple 68,628 feet fall. Brook to Acaster Sailby, a Canal Add Ten per Cent. for 8,442 Contingencies 92,864 20 m. 142 yds. with From the same point 60,000 198 feet fall. in Knaresbro' to Acaster Sailby, by a double Rail-way 14.75 m. with a fall From the same point 38,830 of 11 feet per mile. in Knaresbro' to Pateley-Bridge, with Passing-places

In the foregoing estimates Mr. Telford has considered the Canal, with its locks and bridges, as suitable for the Humber Sloops, and the Rail-way sufficiently strong to admit of one ton and a half being carried by one waggon.

When it was originally intended for the lower end of the line to commence at Acaster Sailby, it was unknown to your Committee that an Act of Parliament existed, levying duties on merchandise on the River Ouse, after the same had passed the Wharfe mouth towards York; for the better information of the public, we insert as much as relates thereto.

ACT OF THE 5TH OF GEORGE II.

"An Act for rendering more effectual an Act passed in the 13th year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the First, entitled an Act for improving the Navigation of the River Ouse, in the County of York:--

"That from and after the 24th day of June, 1732, all and every the goods, wares, and merchandises, and other commodities, carried and conveyed on the said River Ouse, above Wharfe mouth, except such manure, dung, compost, or lime only, as shall be water borne, and used and applied in tillage; and also except all timber, stone, and other materials, made use of in or about the works necessary for improving of the navigation of the said river, shall pay the tolls or rates following, that is to say,--

"For every ton of wines and groceries, almonds, Areack brandy, cyder, cydar egar, hops, fish oil, line-oil, Florence oil, Seville oil, and turpentine oil, rum, spirits, tobacco, vinegar, bacon, hams, sides, and pork; cases and chests by measure, china, coffee, cork, drugs, and medicines; dyers' ware, (except logwood, copperas, and alum); flour, glass, (except green glass bottles); haberdashers' wares, household furniture, iron wrought, linen, linen-drapers' wares, lemons, oranges, and nuts; leather and calves' skins; mercery ware, silk and woollen, paper white and books, garden seeds, salt, tea, and woollen-drapery ware,--two shillings and sixpence respectively;--and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity. For every ton of cheese, flax, pewter, soap, marble, bell-metal, brass battery, and copper, two shillings respectively, and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity.

"For every ton of oak, bark, corn of all sorts, earthenware, green glass bottles, iron cast and unwrought, lead white and red; paper, cap, white, and brown; grass-seeds, beans and peas, rapeseed, stone, tallow, tin-plates and wire; timber, oak, ash and elm,--one shilling respectively; and so in proportion for every greater or less quantity.

"For every ton of alum, copperas, logwood, brimstone, bricks, tiles, coals, hemp, hay, lime for building, lead, and turfs,--sixpence respectively; and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity.

"For every firkin, pot, cask, or other vessel of butter, one penny. For every hundred of oysters, one penny. And that all other goods, not herein particularly rated, shall pay ad valorem, such rates or duties as shall be ascertained by the said commissioners, appointed by or in pursuance of the said former Act."

Soon as your Committee had clearly ascertained the existence of this Act, and its consequent increase on the tonnage of flax, a deputation went down to the Wharfe mouth, to examine the river, as far up as Bolton Percy, and found from their own observations, but more particularly from the information they collected, that vessels of seventy tons burden can navigate the river, nearly always once in twelve hours the whole year; and that, if a little improvement was made in the river at three places, which are rather too shallow for vessels of this burden, they might pass at all times without interruption; the deputation were also of opinion that the improvement was practicable at a moderate expense. This deputation also examined the line below Bolton Percy, (see the map {12}) and found it passed through the estate of Sir Wm. Milner Bart. near his residence, and over lands in his own occupation, consequently more likely to meet with his opposition than his approbation.

Under these accumulated circumstances, your Committee decidedly recommended a double Rail-way, to commence at a bend in the river, near Bolton Percy, (see the map) which will shorten the length of the original line about one mile and a half, and lessen the expense of the project at the same time; thence in a line, nearly straight, to Bow-Bridge, passing on the South side of the village of Wighill, and close to the North end of the village of Walton. Thence in a circuitous direction towards Wetherby;--but if the line was permitted to pass from the North end of the village of Walton to the North side of Ingmanthorpe, the seat of Richard Fountaine Wilson, Esq. distant from his residence about four hundred yards, it would pass over very suitable ground, and shorten the length of the line five-eights of a mile more. By either of these lines it would cross the great North Road, near the Drover's Inn, then proceed on the North side of the village of Little Ribston, and by the banks of the River Nidd, sufficiently high to avoid the broken parts, crossing the said river by a bridge, near St. Robert's Well, and thence proceeding along the Eastern side of the town of Knaresbro', ascending, in an uniform manner, to the level of the bottom of the High-Street, commonly called Bond-End; where it will most conveniently pass behind, or on the West side of Mr. Wm. Clayton's house; or, if more desirable to the owners of property at this point, it is possible to pass it under ground, and enter the valley of the Nidd without affecting or destroying any property, except two or three old houses belonging to Mrs. Stubbs. The line, for a single Rail-way, will then wind along the North bank of the valley, till it crosses the Nidd by another bridge, the clumps of trees on Scotton Moor; from this point it will keep on very favourable ground along the South side of the river, passing half way between Killinghall village and Killinghall bridge; thence through the middle of Hampsthwaite village, and close by Wreaksmill crossing the Nidd again below the village of Birstwith; after which it winds along the North bank of the River Nidd to Pateley-Bridge.

Your Committee having stated their reasons for abandoning the project of a Canal, and recommending that of a Railway, and having also pointed out the adopted line, the next duty which presents itself to their notice is the Revenue;--the nature and quantity of Tonnage which is likely to come upon the line, and within the limits of its attraction;--and give to each such a charge as will equally benefit the various consumers. Such as we conceive to be of the most general importance, first attracts notice, which is the article of

COAL,

Wherein there is little doubt but a saving of eight shillings per chaldron will, on the completion of the work, be effected--a most material object for the poor, and the general benefit of commerce. The rule by which this computation is made, compared with others we have seen, is very much on the safe side, but should a trifling mistake occur, we confidently believe that the decrease in the price of this article will very much enhance its consumption, without anticipating any increased demand at the lime-works and bleach-grounds, arising from an increase of business, which naturally follows the cheapness of carriage, and the rapid transport of goods from place to place. The increase of population, while speaking of this article, must not be omitted, since, in the last twenty-one years it hath increased from four to near seven thousand, including Knaresbro', Scriven-with-Tentergate, and Brearton. The most correct statement we are able to give is below:--

TONS. Knaresbro' and Scriven with 11,000 Tentergate, including lime-kilns and bleach-grounds Brearton 100 Flaxby 50 Goldsborough 100 Haverah Park 25 Killinghall 350 Plumpton 100 Harrowgate and Bilton 3,000 Ribston 150 Scotton 200 Stainburn 200 15,275 Birstwith Township 500 Hampsthwaite and Felliscliffe do. 600 Clint do. 260 Darley do. 400 Hartwith do. 450 Thornthwaite do. 200 Dacre do. 500 Bewerley do. 1,600 Bishopside do. 50 Updale do. 1,500 Pateley Tonnage 6,060 Knaresbro' do. 15,275 Total Tonnage of Coals 21,335

From good authority we are informed that Kippax and Haigh-Moor coals can be delivered at Bolton-Percy for ten shillings per chaldron, or 8s. to 8s 6d. per ton.; and if any back carriage could be procured they would be delivered for less, hence the advantage of taking yarns, &c. from Knaresbro', and the neighbourhood of Pateley-Bridge to Barnsley, and bringing coals back; but independent of such an advantage we are able to prove the great saving named before in these coals:

Pounds _s._ _d._ Cost per 0 10 0 chaldron of the Kippax, or Haigh-moor coals, at the end of the Rail-way, at or near Bolton Percy, is Removing do. 0 0 9 into the waggon, (if not landed 4d.) Rail-way dues, 0 3 0 18 miles, at 2d. per ton, per mile Waggon dues, 18 0 2 3 miles, at l.5d. per ton, per mile 0 16 0

The present cost by way of Boroughbridge, is one pound five shillings, and hence the saving to the public on every ton, or chaldron of coals, will be nine shillings, except the merchants' profit.

By the foregoing statement the tonnage of the Knaresbro' and Pateley-Bridge coal, when it reaches Knaresbro', will yield a revenue of 3200 pounds annually, being 21,335 tons, at 2d. per ton, per mile, for 18 miles, and the tonnage on the coal belonging the district up to Pateley-Bridge will be 6000 tons, for 6 miles, the average distance at 2d. per ton, per mile, or 303 pounds 0s. 0d. making together 3503 pounds 0s. 0d.

The next topic for our consideration which naturally presents itself, is the surplus

PRODUCE OF THE SOIL,

Which although composed of a great variety, we shall here only notice that of Corn; and although the town of Knaresbro' and its vicinity, cannot complain of a scanty or contracted supply, nor yet of exorbitant prices, compared with their more western neighbours, the inhabitants of Craven, and the borders of Lancashire: who, at least must pay such suitable advance as will compensate for a long and expensive land, or a longer and protracted water carriage, neither of which in all probability, can in these days of depression, bear a further reduction of rate.--Under these circumstances, knowing the soil in the neighbourhood of Wetherby and Tadcaster to be rich and fertile, we feel some confidence that corn and its produce in flour and meal, (which can so conveniently be converted by mills upon the line,) will soon become an article of tonnage in no small degree, nearly the whole length of the line; and thence being removed by land carriage from Pateley-Bridge to Skipton and other places further west, will be found cheaper than heretofore. The quantity of tonnage on this head is not so clearly ascertained, still it will have some reference to the quantity of coals brought from Skipton into the neighbourhood of Pateley-Bridge, or the quantity of lead taken from Pateley-Bridge, to Ripon as either one or the other of these articles, in both directions must be considered back carriage, otherwise they could not be removed, as heretofore, at the usual low rates. From these data, and the fact of three waggons three days each week from Knaresbro' towards Skipton, we believe the tonnage under this head in that direction will be three thousand tons annually, which being nearly the whole length of the line, or twenty-five miles at 3d. per ton, per mile, will yield a revenue of 937 pounds 10s. Being aware some doubt may arise as to the computation of this tonnage being correct, we feel no apprehension as to the result.

For while it must be admitted, that lead in this case ceases to be a back carriage, hence the expense of carrying corn from Ripon to Pateley-Bridge must naturally increase, whilst on the contrary, the expense by the Railway must as naturally decrease; these two circumstances in all probability will fully support the estimate, if not greatly exceed it.

We now come to the present principal trade of the town and neighbourhood of Knaresbro', which is that of dressing Flax and spinning Yarns; and what first takes our notice upon the subject of tonnage, is that of

FLAX.

This article during the latter period of the late war, was dressed and manufactured here in greater quantities than at present, probably owing to the profits upon it at that time being more adequate to the heavy expense of carriage, than they are now. The depressed state of the trade since that period has caused one flax-mill, turned by water, to be converted into a corn-mill, no doubt to the detriment of others in that line; and two more, turned by the power of steam, to stand still, and become useless; whereas, if carriage could be considerably reduced upon this article, and also in that of coal as stated already there remains little doubt but this useless property would regain its former value, and additional employment be afforded to the increasing population of the neighbourhood; an object at all times deserving the notice of the opulent and rich, and which of late, hath, with partial success engaged the united efforts of the legislature.

In calculating on the tonnage of this article we have it in our power to be more exact than on that of any named before, for every individual concerned with it, has made his own return, and which added together amounts to two thousand four hundred and forty tons, being for the town of Knaresbro', one thousand seven hundred; and for the neighbourhood up to Pateley-Bridge, seven hundred and forty. Hence the amount of revenue from this tonnage will be as follows:

Pounds _s._ _d._ From Bolton 732 0 0 Percy to Knaresbro' 2440 tons per ann. 18 miles, at 4d. per ton, per mile From Knaresbro' to Pateley-Bridge, which is 14.75 miles, but for safety sake is only taken at 12. 740 tons, 12 148 0 0 miles at 4d. per ton, per mile 880 0 0

Having pointed out the probable amount of revenue which the article of Flax will yield to the Railway; we shall next endeavour to exhibit how much will be saved between the present and the projected mode of conveying it to Knaresbro':