What now for the Grand Commercial Canal? A document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook

Move your pointing device over the image to zoom to detail. If using a mouse click on the image to toggle zoom.
When in zoom mode use + or - keys to adjust level of image zoom.

Date:January 1797

Description:During 1796, supporters of a scheme to build a new super canal in Staffordshire locked horns with the established businessmen of the Trent and Mersey Canal Company.

The new canal

The new canal was to be wider than the Trent and Mersey. It would be capable of supporting larger river boats that could carry greater quantities of coal, lime and ceramic wares between the Potteries, London, and Britain's sea ports.

No wonder the Trent and Mersey was worried

In an attempt to steal the thunder of the new scheme, the Trent and Mersey turned up the heat, announcing that they would widen their own canal between Fradley Heath and the Harecastle Tunnel.

What now?

Solicitors Hoskins and Fowler, and J. Tomlinson here call a series of meeting to decide on a response to the situation.

These are planned for the following venues:

  • Swan Inn, Lichfield, 3 January 1797

  • Crown Inn, Nantwich, 7 January 1797


  • Both meetings will begin at midday.

    About this document

    This document was collected by pottery manufacturer Enoch Wood, and is now among the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.

    Share:


    Donor ref:(103/15927)

    Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.