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40
The Canal System of England.
The average cost of horse-hauling is 0·33d. per ton per mile on an old-fashioned canal.
Assuming that 100 tons are to be transported 100 miles—the total cost of horse-haulage would be | £13 | 15 | 0 |
Whereas by steam haulage at the rate ruling on the Aire and Calder the cost would be (at 0·03d. per ton per mile) | 1 | 5 | 0 |
A difference per trip of | £12 | 10 | 0 |
From this, must be deducted the small amount for the excess of deterioration of the banks due to the use of steam, and the net saving would allow for a decrease in toll, and a substantial profit.
Mr. Alderman Bayley, now Sir William Bayley, of Salford, estimated the cost of working a steamer for twenty-four hours and towing two barges fully loaded on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; his figures are as follows:—
Cost of Steamer. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
Wages, Captain | 0 | 4 | 8 | |||
do. Mate | 0 | 4 | 8 | |||
Two ordinary hands | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||
Gas coke for engines, 24 cwt. at 6/8 per ton | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||
Tallow, 2 lbs. at 5d | 0 | 0 | 10 | |||
Oil, 2 qts. at 10d | 0 | 1 | 8 | |||
Stores, waste and lights | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
1 | 8 | 10 |