BW157/2

River Avon (Somerset & Gloucestershire)

1873-1912

BW157/2

The Avon Navigation is tidal up to Hanham Mills 14 ½ miles above Avonmouth. It was used by boats from the Middle Ages and had 30 or so water mills between Bristol and Bath. Bath Corporation was granted powers to improve the river in 1619 but nothing was done until 1712 when a new river improvement Bill was promoted. Local gentry and traders heavily opposed the Bill but these were overruled and it received Royal Assent on 22 May 1712. Local opposition delayed work and in 1724 the Corporation of Bath passed its interest in the river to a group of proprietors including the Duke of Beaufort. Work began immediately under the management of John Hore of Newbury and the navigation opened from Hanham Mills to City Weir Bath on 15 December 1727. The navigation was not provided with a horse-towing path, barges being hauled by men. Trade on the navigation was quickly profitable and a dividend was first declared in 1730. Cargoes carried included local stone from quarries at Combe Down and coal from Shropshire via the River Severn although the Somerset coal miners objected to this and in 1731 threats were made to destroy the navigation. In 1738 Salford Lock was attacked and almost destroyed by three hundred men; they were never caught. From before its final opening the navigation had passenger wherries operating between Bristol and Twerton. After 1727 passengers were carried the full length of the navigation into Bath. Profits improved until 1775 when the American War of Independence and the actions of the joint treasurers in stealing interest on cash in their possession took their toll. Following the deaths of both men they were found out and the money was recovered from their estates. In 1793 the Proprietors offered to sell the river to the Kennet and Avon Canal Company who refused, as they wanted to buy individual shares. By 1796 the Kennet and Avon Canal Company had a majority shareholding with the proprietors retaining nominal independence. Full control of the river was finally passed to the successors of the canal company The Great Western Railway on 18 November 1885. For further information on the Avon see Edward Paget-Tomlinson's The Illustrated History of Canals & River Navigations.