Report of the Knaresbrough Rail-way Committee | Page 5

not so clearly ascertained, still it
will have some reference to the quantity of coals brought from Skipton

into the neighbourhood of Pateley-Bridge, or the quantity of lead taken
from Pateley-Bridge, to Ripon as either one or the other of these
articles, in both directions must be considered back carriage, otherwise
they could not be removed, as heretofore, at the usual low rates. From
these data, and the fact of three waggons three days each week from
Knaresbro' towards Skipton, we believe the tonnage under this head in
that direction will be three thousand tons annually, which being nearly
the whole length of the line, or twenty-five miles at 3d. per ton, per
mile, will yield a revenue of 937 pounds 10s. Being aware some doubt
may arise as to the computation of this tonnage being correct, we feel
no apprehension as to the result.
For while it must be admitted, that lead in this case ceases to be a back
carriage, hence the expense of carrying corn from Ripon to
Pateley-Bridge must naturally increase, whilst on the contrary, the
expense by the Railway must as naturally decrease; these two
circumstances in all probability will fully support the estimate, if not
greatly exceed it.
We now come to the present principal trade of the town and
neighbourhood of Knaresbro', which is that of dressing Flax and
spinning Yarns; and what first takes our notice upon the subject of
tonnage, is that of

FLAX.
This article during the latter period of the late war, was dressed and
manufactured here in greater quantities than at present, probably owing
to the profits upon it at that time being more adequate to the heavy
expense of carriage, than they are now. The depressed state of the trade
since that period has caused one flax-mill, turned by water, to be
converted into a corn-mill, no doubt to the detriment of others in that
line; and two more, turned by the power of steam, to stand still, and
become useless; whereas, if carriage could be considerably reduced
upon this article, and also in that of coal as stated already there remains
little doubt but this useless property would regain its former value, and

additional employment be afforded to the increasing population of the
neighbourhood; an object at all times deserving the notice of the
opulent and rich, and which of late, hath, with partial success engaged
the united efforts of the legislature.
In calculating on the tonnage of this article we have it in our power to
be more exact than on that of any named before, for every individual
concerned with it, has made his own return, and which added together
amounts to two thousand four hundred and forty tons, being for the
town of Knaresbro', one thousand seven hundred; and for the
neighbourhood up to Pateley-Bridge, seven hundred and forty. Hence
the amount of revenue from this tonnage will be as follows:
Pounds s. d. From Bolton 732 0 0 Percy to Knaresbro' 2440 tons per
ann. 18 miles, at 4d. per ton, per mile From Knaresbro' to
Pateley-Bridge, which is 14.75 miles, but for safety sake is only taken
at 12. 740 tons, 12 148 0 0 miles at 4d. per ton, per mile 880 0 0
Having pointed out the probable amount of revenue which the article of
Flax will yield to the Railway; we shall next endeavour to exhibit how
much will be saved between the present and the projected mode of
conveying it to Knaresbro':
From Pounds 1 2 0 Hull, via B. Bridge, the present expense per ton, is
And the time of coming from 10 to 21 days From 0 5 0 Hull to Bolton
Percy, per ton Removing 0 0 9 from the boat into the waggon Rail 0 6 0
dues, 18 miles, at 4d. per ton per mile Waggon 0 2 3 0 14 0 dues, 18
miles, at 1.5d. per ton, per mile 0 8 0
By this statement it appears there is a saving of 8s. per ton from Hull to
Knaresbro'; and nothing seems to prevent the same ratio holding good
from Hull to Pateley-Bridge; besides should the Flax come from Hull
on board the regular traders, it will in all probability arrive at the
Wharfe mouth in two tides, and from thence to Knaresbro' in eight or
nine hours; but should the trade of Knaresbro' attract the notice of the
owners of steam vessels, its dispatch would doubtless be greater; and
more in proportion it would benefit the trade of the place; in as much as
cheapness of carriage and dispatch of goods whether manufactured or

otherwise are the very sinews of commerce, and in such proportion as
these are obtained, so will the wealth and prosperity of the town or
neighbourhood be