Sat 11 Sep 1830
To Thomas Perry Esq
Wolverhampton
Not possible to carry Bar or Pig Iron by canal while cost of carrying it by sea from Gloucester to London is cheaper. Only reason Hoop & Sheet Iron not go same way is its great liability to damage, particularly with salt water. Mr Franklin to get more information on price. Would help to have names of present shippers.
The Fly Boats not very productive to Canal at present. Too many other preferable means for conveyance of goods. For example, unable to compete with Kennet & Avon Canal for produce of South Wales, etc., nor against the Grand Junction for produce of Staffordshire. Coasting trade from Gloucester takes heavy and coarse articles from Shropshire except in event of war and risk of vessels being taken when inland trade preferable. Mr Ames considering if anything possible regarding flint trade from Reading.
Regarding damage to planking of Lock Gates by the small boats, and use of Bar Iron to remedy, this now almost impossible due to boats no longer being made with almost upright stems. Boats now made with such variety of shapes (sketch of stems of canal boats) that fluctuations in water depth when loading means part of stem which projects liable to strike the planking either above, below or between the Iron Bars – 2 on each gate. Lower gates being liable to most damage. Description of action taken to try to obviate the problem of a heavy blow splitting the planking.
Difficulty in ascertaining contents of boats by gauge is the trick much in practice of having the name of the Vessel Owner, etc upon a very trifling plate of Iron & which is removed from one boat to another according as it may suit the will of those to whom they belong or work them. A sett of the instruments you mention would be very useful so will mention to the Committee.
List of coal prices at the different wharves.
(Includes a sketch of different stem shapes of canal boats)
