The schemes which, in consequence of this liberal provision, were the following: Tbe Barrow to be completed . . X20,000 0 The Shannon below Kilaloe 8,500 0 The Grand Canal to the Shannon . 57,100 0 Do. for junction with the Liffy . . 10,000 0 The Royal Canal from Dublin to the Upper Shannon at Tormenbarry . 66,000 0 Boyne from Drogheda to Trim 12,500 0 Newry Navigation 4,000 0 County Kildare Canal to Naas 2,460 0 Do. from Naas to Kilcullcn . 3,300 0 Lough Earne Canal , 5,100 0 188,700 0And by the 31 Geo. III. the additional sum of 11,300/ was appropriated, viz.
For the Grand Canal for the junction between Alky and Barrow X2,120 12 6 Canal towards collieries 4,370 2 4 Do. to Ballycider 1,204 12 4 Marquis of Abercorn for Foyle Navigation tu Strathbane 3,703 12 0 • X11,398 19 2 Grand Canal for Docks 22,000 0 0 By the reports of the Commissioners of Account it. 1790, it appears, that besides all that had been expend ed by the several companies who had undertaken the works, that the corporation for promoting inland navi gation had disbursed Of public grants • . L227,669 2 11 Of income from duties 359,868 9 6; From this period, to 1800, various other grants were made upon the same terms, but no one schetne of navi gation was adopted. The two great canal companies, in the course of their negotiations with government, had been induced to undertake an expensive system of wet clocks in Dublin, which greatly embarrassed their funds, without much prospect of reimbursement.
On the eve of the Union, in 1800, a sum of 500,000/. was granted by the 40 Gco. III. c. 51. for inland navi gation generally ; for the improvement of the port of Dublin, and for one or more lines of communication from Dublin to the Shannon, and for rendeting that river navigable from Lough Allen to the sea. By this act, the Lord Lieutenant is empowered to appoint five di rectors, with salaries not exceeding 500/. each, for ma naging ail works of inland navigation to which public money is applied. And it was enacted, that no new ca nal should levy a higher toll than Id. per ton per mile on corn, flour, potatoes, sand, lime, fuel, or manure ; 2d. per ton on other goods; and 3d. per passenger. In car rying the act creating this department into effect, the following grants hacl been rnade, up to 1812: Tu tbe Royal Canal Company X95,866 7 10Barrow Navigation . 47,500 0 6 Grand Canal Company for the Shannon between Lough Ree and Lough Derg 54,634 18 7 For improving the Port of Dublin 15,000 0 0 X213,001 6 5 Besides which, the directors-general have themselves expended, including tolls, up to that date.
Dublin harbour, for plans, &e. X7,250 16 7-1Newry Navigation . 54,516 19 0 'Fyrone and Magheny Canals, 21,715 19 10 Limerick Navigation to Killaloe 53,639 16 4 Upper Shannon Navigation . 7,168 17 X144,292 8 10,1 And the expense of their establishment for 12 years 66,504 9 5 But the purchasing a redttction of tolls to so low rates, as has been done by the directors-general, appears in judicious, for while the public must, in taxes or some other shape, pay for this reduction, the resources of the canal company are so much diminished, as totally to de stroy any prospect of profit, and all spirit of adventure. Accordingly, since the year 1800, there has not a single ncw canal been undcitaken, and the two greatest are in vet y embarrassed circumstances.
Besides these several applications of their funds, the directors-general have, since 1810, had various parts of the country examined hy their engineers, to ascertain where canals were practicable and advantageous ; and surveys have been made between the Shannon, Barrow, Suit-, and grand canal. Similar researches have been made towards Lough Earne and Lough Neagh, and to wards the improvement of the Port of Dublin. Vari ous minor lines of navigation have likewise been pointed out in consequence of the parliamentary survey of the bogs. And it may now perhaps be said, that, with the exception of Holland, a more perfect knowledge of the levels and waters of Ireland has been obtained, than of any other country in Europe.
Having now given a general view of the rise and pro gress of inland navigation in Ireland, we proceed briefly to describe the present statc of each navigation, whether canal, lake, or navigable river, as they occur in alpha betical order.
The Bandon River, in the county of Cork, is naviga ble from the Port of Kinsale to within two miles of 13an don. A canal from thence to Dunmanway has been projected.
The Bann River, rises in the Mourne mountains in the county of Down, and passing northward, fails into Lough Neagh ; near Port-a-clown, it is joined by the Newly canal, and is navigated from thence by boats of 40 or 50 tons, for about 9 miles to the lake.