castle 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.

[Picture: The Canal]

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 canal the company afterwards landed at the
wharfs on the two branches, and a large number of the shareholders
partook of a festive repast at the Greyhound Inn, East Street, near the
south basin. The navvies and other workmen who had been employed in the
construction of the canal, were also regaled on the boats, and afterwards
feasted at the Greyhound.

In following years an excursion was made annually by the Directors,
conveyed down the canal, in a fine barge, which was their own property,
named "The Lady Banks," in order to inspect its condition; and this was
followed by a public dinner at the Bull Hotel, which continued to be an
established institution during the period of the canal's prosperity.

The shares quickly rose considerably in value; a great number of barges
came to the town, and it was no uncommon occurrence to see the whole
distance from the South bridge to the Bow bridge packed closely with
heavily laden vessels, carrying coals, grain, or