Origins Liskeard and Looe Union Canal

ruined limekiln @ sandplace; when canal opened limekilns opened @ moorswater , lime by-passed sandplace

agricultural land around looe valleys considered of high quality, acid soil required annual improvement lime. traditionally limestone prepare had come plymouth area coastal shipping east looe valley burnt in kilns make lime. while coastal shipping element of journey straightforward, main roads in primitive condition; example:

despite grand title, seem royal cornish way (today s a30) little better muddy cart-track beginning of 18th century. in places may have had no defined edge or surface @ all, leaving travellers struggle best in mist or darkness.

to liskeard above navigable river, means of transport on backs of horses: first wheeled wagon introduced liskeard district in 1790. late 1830s, pack horses , mules general means of transport goods throughout county, once off turnpike roads. approaching 10 tonnes (11 short tons) of limestone required per acre annually (about 25 tonnes per hectare), transport considerable undertaking.

the idea canal liskeard first investigated in 1777 when edmund leach , gentleman liskeard proposed canal run between banka mill, 1 ⁄4 miles (2.8 km) west of liskeard, , sandplace, 2 miles (3.2 km) north of looe on east looe river. have been contour canal, 3 reaches connected machines —evidently inclined planes. @ time no canal inclined plane had been installed anywhere in world: first installed on canal on ketley canal in 1788. project estimated cost £17,495, recouped in 7 years, based on expected income, scheme not progressed.

after @ least 1 other abortive proposal, local solicitor peter glubb convened meeting on 2 august 1823 in liskeard agree way forward. after second meeting @ east looe on 9 august, engineer james green asked present proposals canal, railway or turnpike road link looe liskeard. swiftly presented views, on 30 august, recommending tub-boat canal, suitable four-ton boats in trains (i.e. connected groups). rise of 180 feet in 6.25 miles (10,060 m) in 10 km) threatened water supply difficulties if negotiated locks, green repeated earlier proposal 2 inclined planes.

a subscription list filled, proposal stalled, due strong opposition interests in lostwithiel , fowey, , weakness of proprietors in pecuniary point of view , other insuperable obstacles . following year plan revived, time canal locks. in order appease john buller, substantial local landowner, canal have towing path of sufficient width gentlemen s carriages . committee needed buller s support aid passage of bill through parliament.

green prepared plans bill, , necessary act of parliament obtained on 22 june 1825, after green s departure, proprietors asked robert coad design route in detail. act created liskeard , looe union canal company, authorised capital of £13,000 in shares of £25, , authority borrow further £10,000 on mortgage if required. act gave powers making , maintaining navigable canal tarras pill, in parish of duloe ... or near moorswater, in parish of liskeard, , making several roads communicate therewith . allowed feed water taken river looe , crylla rivulet ; there restrictions on latter, no injury may done navigation of fowey, of river crylla tributary stream . engineer appointed mayor of lostwithiel monitor compliance obligation.

inclined planes may not have been ruled out, because priestley says company empowered make rollers , inclined planes. priestley not offer direct quotation act, , may have heard reported earlier, unsuccessful bill, , mistakenly understood plan still current.

a view looking south @ plashford bridge; east looe river on left; railway line looe; remains of canal

work on building canal began on 6 september 1825, robert coad engineer , robert retallick superintendent of works. there internal tension in committee of management, there motion @ general meeting in february 1826 qualified civil engineer should asked assess work done far, , whether 2 men should allowed proceed without further assistance, motion defeated 49 votes 10, , 4 of 9 committee members changed @ subsequent election.

the canal had been planned run on west side of river towards looe, landowner, mr eliot, holding out excessive compensation land, , construction transferred east side on affected length, in lands of john buller, by-pass eliot s land. during construction, company operated health insurance scheme labourers similar commonly in place in cornish mines, each worker contributing 6 pence (2.5p) per month, used pay mr. robert rean, apothecary , surgeon east looe, services.

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