Glastonbury Canal - Opening

Opening

The canal finally opened on 15 August 1833, amid celebrations at both ends of the canal and a cavalcade from Highbridge to Glastonbury and back. A second celebration for the "respectable trading classes" was held nine days later. The canal appears to have been successful initially, but the revenues generated were inadequate, and there were problems with water levels on the upper section. In 1840, the Prat brothers, whose legal firm had played a major part in the creation of the canal, disappeared, leaving a financial shortfall of over £40,000. It appears that they had put up most of the extra costs of construction, and may have borrowed some money from client's funds. They were declared bankrupt and Richard was removed from office as town clerk and a Commissioner of Sewers, but the firm's collapse had a serious effect on the prosperity of Glastonbury.

On the upper section, the final pound prevented the proper drainage of the surrounding land, which being peat started to swell. This caused the canal to rise and the clay puddling to fracture, resulting in further loss of water, and a reduced depth for navigation. Traffic had to be transhipped to smaller boats at Highbridge, which added to the costs of delivery. Receipts for 1848 were £300, which would indicate that the canal was probably only carrying about 4,000 tons per annum.