A View of the First Bridge at Paddington, and the Accomodation Barge Going down the Grand Junction Canal to Uxbridge.
Published 12th September, 1801. by Laurie & Whittle, 53, Fleet Street, London.
Coloured aquatint. 275 x 415mm (10¾ x 16¼").
A passenger boat service operated between Paddington and Uxbridge. The Paddington Packet Boat service was let out, initially to a Henry Weeks, using wide beamed boats. After six months trial it was decided to switch to narrow beamed boats to solve problems of scouring, i.e. damage to the canal. The contract was let to Thomas Homer - who was later to instigate the Regent's Canal - for two years in 1802 at a charge of £750 per year for what we would today call a franchise. The packet boat crews were noted for their smart crews wearing blue uniforms with yellow capes and yellow buttons. The Paddington packet seems to have been a well used passenger service which continued for a number of years. The Grand Junction was a busy route throughout its commercial life, although the struggle of competition with the railways was a constant problem from the mid 19th Century onwards.
[Ref: 310] £320.00
Coloured aquatint. 275 x 415mm (10¾ x 16¼").
A passenger boat service operated between Paddington and Uxbridge. The Paddington Packet Boat service was let out, initially to a Henry Weeks, using wide beamed boats. After six months trial it was decided to switch to narrow beamed boats to solve problems of scouring, i.e. damage to the canal. The contract was let to Thomas Homer - who was later to instigate the Regent's Canal - for two years in 1802 at a charge of £750 per year for what we would today call a franchise. The packet boat crews were noted for their smart crews wearing blue uniforms with yellow capes and yellow buttons. The Paddington packet seems to have been a well used passenger service which continued for a number of years. The Grand Junction was a busy route throughout its commercial life, although the struggle of competition with the railways was a constant problem from the mid 19th Century onwards.
[Ref: 310] £320.00