BALD, Robert Report of a mineral survey along the track of the proposed north or level line of canal betwixt Edinburgh and Glasgow, as projected by John Rennie, Esq. civil engineer, Anno 1798. [And] Observations occasioned by the mineral survey of Mr Robert Bald...in which a comparison is attempted to be drawn between the utility of that canal and of the proposed Union Navigation, by John Paterson. Leith, May 1814, September 1814
4to. (iv) + 25 + (1) + 12pp. Orig. wrappers, torn at spine but otherwise a good copy. Skempton Nos.49,1052. The scheme to build a canal between Edinburgh and Glasgow was first put forward in the 1790s when several distinguished engineers, including John Rennie, surveyed possible lines. The project was shelved until 1813 when Hugh Baird was appointed engineer. However, Baird’s route was strongly contested and so Rennie’s line of 1797 was revived in 1814 as an alternative. Because of the criticisms concerning lack of coal along the Rennie line, Robert Bald was commissioned to carry out a mineral survey and this report publishes his favourable results. Always found with it is the report of John Paterson (previously resident engineer on the Crinan Canal), who makes a detailed comparison of the two lines to show the superiority of the Rennie scheme. Nevertheless, Baird’s canal was eventually built and was completed in 1822.
£250
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