Appendix 12: Transcript testimony of George Craddock, Bargemaster. He has been employed...

Appendix 12: Transcript testimony of George Craddock, Bargemaster. He has been employed on the river for 46 years and in that time has noted a reduction of 5 feet in the depth of water. He gives the places where he has noted a reduction in water depth, information on the different draughts of coal barges, reports a generally held opinion that shoaling will make the river unnavigable, blames Rochester Bridge and the Lock at Castle Shoal and agrees that the removal of the bridge and the construction of one allowing more waterway would improve the flow of the river and allow better navigation. He was a Commissioner on the Committee which oversaw the building of Castle Shoal Lock which he opposed, preferring to have the shoals removed. He notes that 4 miles of tidal flow have been cut off by the erection of the Locks at Castle Shoal and Maidstone and recommends removing Castle Shoal Lock, removing the shoals and modifying Rochester Bridge to allow freer passage to the tide.

Enclosure.