ALLNUTT, Zachary Considerations on the best mode of improving, the present imperfect state of the navigation, of the River Thames from Richmond to Staines. Shewing the advantages to the public, the navigator, and the owners, and occupiers of houses, mills, and lands in the vicinity, by improving the navigation of the river, in preference to the making any canal. Printed at Henley, for the Author nd (but 1805)
8vo. 46pp, 3 wood-engraved plans, hand coloured (2 folding) and a hand-coloured sketch within the text. Quarter calf. 19th century ownership stamp on title. Skempton No.18 This rare and lovely pamphlet envisages a scheme to improve the stretch of the Thames between Staines and Richmond, which came within the jurisdiction of the City of London. The river is tidal at this point and thus while the downward passage of vessels was comparatively easy, it was more difficult for vessels travelling upstream. Rather than cutting a canal to bypass this stretch, as had often been proposed, Allnutt proposes the cheaper alternative of locks, siting them at Teddington, Chertsey and Sunbury, with weirs to cope with floodwater. He describes his plan in detail, producing an estimate based on the lock and opening weir at Windsor and including a plan of that weir (which was “Printed with moveable types in a new mode”). He also includes a petition to the Corporation of the City of London in 1804, written by him in his role as solicitor to the Bargemasters and Navigators by whom it was presented, which spells out the difficulties they encountered on the river. An act was finally passed in 1810, authorising Allnutt’s three locks with a further one at Shepperton. Allnutt’s father was General Clerk to the Thames Navigation Commission for nearly 40 years, while Allnutt himself was appointed surveyor to the Staines-Mapledurham stretch in 1804. He remained connected with the Thames navigation for most of the rest of his long life.
£650
This item is listed on Bibliopoly by Elton Engineering Books; click here for further details.