Journal Entry – William Hooper – 30 Jan 1833

Wednesday 30th January 1833



Rode to Throckley South Farm, and accompanied by the Tenant and Mr Sample walked down to the River-Bank, and examined the Land subjected to the floods, with the whole line of the proposed embankment to prevent it. The embankment already formed by Mr Bates, and the Railway of Mr Blackett’s Colliery, protects the Property on the S.E. side, and the proposed embankment is intended to extend from that of Mr Bates, for a mile and three quarters to the Westward, to reach Wylam, and effectually guard the lands now exposed. Mr Stephenson’s idea was to carry the embankment three feet higher than the last flood, which he thought sufficient, but I entertain some doubts of this, for it is clear that such an embankment will render the floods on the opposite side of the river of much greater extent in damage, and in all probability the proprietors of the opposite lands would in self-defence raise an embankment also – which would so confine the Waters, as to make me apprehensive that a three foot embankment will be scarcely safe from breaches, and if the expense is to be incurred, it would be a matter of regret not to do it effectually.  The lands now exposed, and to be protected by the embankment, consist of about seventy acres belonging to the Hospital, about the same quantity belonging to Mr Clayton, and a similar quantity belonging to Mrs Bewick, and about twenty five Acres belonging to the Duke of Northumberland. But the greatest sufferer from the floods is Mr Blackett, whose Railway is overflowed at least five or six days on average very year, and besides the damage done by the breaches in the Railway itself, the vend of his Colliery produce is interrupted, occasioning so much positive loss. The advantage of an effectual embankment is undoubtedly an important one, and the mode I would suggest for its accomplishment is that on the presumption of its requiring an expense of say £335. Mr Blackett should subscribe £100, Mr Clayton, Mrs Bewick, and the Hospital should add £70 each, and the Duke of Northumberland £25.



If this principle of apportioning the expenditure be admitted, and approved of by the several parties, I would propose that a Skilful Engineer be employed to examine and survey it, and estimate the actual expense; upon this Estimate the work might be agreed for, each party paying its share according to the relative sums agreed on.



I told Mr Stephenson that such were my views on the matter, and that I would write him a letter to that effect to enable him to confer with the other parties. Examined the whole of Mr Stephenson’s farm with reference to the works required by him in the next year, and refused him several things that I could not feel necessary as an expense to the Landlord – some really necessary things, I promised to submit in the Estimates.