PROPOSED BRISTOL AND ENGLISH CHANNELS SHIP CANAL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7266, 28 January 1889, Page 4

PROPOSED BRISTOL AND ENGLISH CHANNELS SHIP CANAL.

A scheme has been projected for cutting amarit-soe ship canal to connect the Bristol and -__sj_sh Channels, the necessity for which has long been keenly felt and recognised by those most largely interested in mercantile and commercial SKunite. Th* proposal brieflystated is to cpawract a ship canal from _£_idgew&ter WT.co_an__nc4_« at Stolford, in the parish ot £*pjrar__y, on the Somersetshire coast.

Twmfcon Q-_al>, and te-xolnattng at Seaton, on the East Devon coast, about a mile beyond the estuary of the River Axe. The length of the proposed canal will be about forty-five miles, its from -Soft.to 200 ft, and its depth -6ft, of sufficient capacity therefore, for large irondads, steamer-, and mercantile and other vessels of large tonnage. By means of tbu*»ewaterway connecting .the fnstol and Tfrip-Hoh Channels a saving in distancei will be effected of 280 miles; its main object will be to avert the present necessity of ships from the Bristol Channel to the English Channel ports, France, Holland, the Netherlands, Norway, the Baltic, and the Eastern and Scottish coasts, and vux verso, being compelled, as now, to proceed around Land s End, the Lizards, &c. Several of the most influential shipowners, coal, and ironmasters in Wales, who have been consulted in the matter, regard the scheme with much favor, and several Chambers of Commerce are taking the matter up very warmly. It is intended to form a syndicate for the purpose of promoting a Bill in the ensuing session.

EXPECTED ARRIVALS. London: La Querida, QJTL, sailed November 29th, 69 days out. Rakaia, ship, WSLN, sailed October 15th, 106 days out. Halcione, ship, sailed November Bth, 81 days out. Kaikoura, R.M. s.s., due at Lyttelton, Wednesday, January 30th. Tainui, R.M. s.s., via Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, due Lyttelton January 27th. New York: ■ Matilde Hennings, barque, via Dunedin. Alice Reed, barque, sailed September 15th, via Dunedin. Newcastle : Adam W. Spies, barque. Mattr-Titts: Laira, barque, KLHD, via Dunedin. PROJECTED DEPARTURES. London: Hampshire, barque, January. Zuleika, ship, February. Wellington, ship, February. Lurline, barque, February. VESS___S HOMEWARD BOUND. Days out River Indus, barque, Oct. 7th ... 114 Clan Macleod, barque, Nov. Ist ... 89 Brodick Bay, barque, Nov. 6th ... 84 Phyllis, barque, Nov. 14th ... 75 Cormorant, barque, Dec. 7th ... 53 Wave Queen, barque, Dec. 22 ... 40 Waimate, ship, Dec. 28th ... 32 Glenhuntiy, barque, Jan. 15th ... 13 Silverhow, barque, Jan. 16th ... 12 Marlborough, ship, Jan. 19th ... 7