Legacies have been bequeathed to the institution by various persons, at different times, as follows: Dr. Harrison, by will dated Feb. 5th, 1820, left £100; the late H. J. Fielding, Esq., who died Aug. 10th, 1879, left by will £100; in 1884 the late Mr. T. Garfit bequeathed £100; ten £10 shares in the railway were bequeathed by Mrs. Fox Marshall in 1897; £100 was bequeathed by Mr. J. W. Hart, of Tetford, in 1900; Mr. John Bancroft left £50 in 1905; £357 were invested in Consols and £200 in railway shares, in 1899; a portion of this was sold in 1902, and £300 were invested in the Corn Exchange; the Dispensary premises were also insured for £800, instead of £600, in the County Fire Office, in 1902.
It will thus be seen that although the operations of the institution no longer embrace the extended area of the early years of its existence, it is still doing a most valuable work in the alleviation of suffering among the poor and needy, in both town and country for many miles round, and is thoroughly deserving of the increased support, which is required, to continue its efficiency. We trust that this will be recognized by the land owners and others, and that such assistance will be forthcoming.
CHAPTER IX.
THE CANAL.
The Horncastle Canal, connecting for commerce the town with the river Witham, and so with Lincoln, Boston, and the sea, though now a derelict, was formerly of much value. Its history is here given from its earliest inception.
Horncastle having been for some centuries the chief market of an important agricultural district, an association was formed towards the close of the 18th century, with the title “The Company of Proprietors of Horncastle Navigation, in the County of Lincoln.” This was, in the year 1792, incorporated by an Act of Parliament, which gave a list of the names of the original members, and secured to them, and to their successors, perpetual possession of the same, and a common seal. The canal was to be 11 miles long, extending from the junction of the two rivers, Bain and Waring, which traverse the town and meet at the point where now stands the public swimming bath, to the Witham at Tattershall; and passing through the parishes of Thornton, Martin, Dalderby, Roughton, Haltham, Kirkby, Coningsby, and Tattershall.
The company had at first a capital of £15,000 in £50 shares, no member being allowed to hold less than one share or more than 20. The surveyors for the undertaking were Messrs. Robert Stickney and Samuel Dickinson.
When about two-thirds of the work was completed this capital was exhausted; and in the year 1800 a second Act of Parliament was obtained, which authorised the raising of a supplementary sum of £20,000 in shares of £50; additional members being enrolled, and mortgages raised on the tolls. The whole profits of the concern, for several years, were absorbed in paying off the debt thus contracted, so that no dividend accrued for the shareholders until the year 1813. The channel, from Horncastle to Dalderby, was an entirely new cut, the rest being the river Bain deepened and straightened in its course. It was adapted for the passage of vessels of 50 tons burden; and in the whole length of 11 miles there was a fall of 84 feet.
The original rate of charges was 2/- per ton for the whole length of the canal, 1/9 to the seventh lock, and 1/3 to the fourth lock; vessels laden with lime, manure, or material for roads, were granted free passage. [127] By the second Act of Parliament, in 1800, the charges were raised to 3/3 per ton for the whole length of the canal, 2/7 to the seventh lock, and 1/6 to the fourth lock; lime, manure, and road material being exempted, as before.
The whole structure was completed in the autumn of 1802, and the canal was formally opened on Friday, Sept. 17th of that year. The occasion was observed as a general holiday by the towns-folk. At one o’clock the boats the Betsy of Horncastle, and the Martha of Dalderby, the property of Messrs. Gilliat & Wilson, and the British Queen, owned by Mr. Boyers, were hauled into the two basins of the canal, elaborately decorated with colours, amid the cheers of spectators, who are said to have numbered more than 2,000. The vessels having been brought to, several salutes were fired, and a band of music, on the pleasure boat of Mr. Lane, played “God save the King,” “Rule Britannia,” “Hearts of Oak,” &c. Having traversed some distance on the