by Bitter End » Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:45 pm
See "The Canals Of Scotland " by Jean Lindsay --1968-- published by David and Charles -- printed by Latimer Trend & Co Ltd
"In March 1771 the magistrates of Glasgow sent a petition to the Commissioner of Forfeited Estates asking that a survey should be made from Loch Gilp on the west side of Loch Fyne to Loch Crinan on the Sound of Jura or from East Loch Tarbert on Loch Fyne to West Loch Tarbert . They said that if an entrance were made from the west sea into Loch Fyne by a canal of 7 feet or more in depth, half of the herring busses could pass and repass that way without going round the dangerous Mull of Kintyre, and it would 'open easy and short communication between the Clyde and the west coast as far north as Cape Wrath and with all the Western Isles, so that timber bark,kelp,grain and fish might be brought to market cheaper and with less danger than by doubling the Mull' .
In June the same year, therefore ,James Watt obtained leave of absence from the Monkland Canal to make a survey of ' Tarbit of Cantyre and Loch Gilp' for the Commissioners. Watt gave estimates for canals 7ft and 10ft deep for each route . "
------ ----- --- "for the canals across the isthmus of Tarbert the estimated costs were £17,988 and £23,844 " ---- ---- "the length of the Tarbert canal being 1mile" ---- [ Crinan Canal estimates 4 and3/4 miles and costing £34,879 and £48,405 ] -----
Twice through the eye o' the sun to lift it.