Catalogue description Calder and Hebble Navigation Company

On 2nd September 1756 a number of persons met "at the Talbot in Halifax to consider of Proper Measure to obtain an act of Parliament for making the River Calder Navigable from Wakefield to Elland and so on to Halifax". A Committee was appointed "to write to Mr. Smeaton and to manage Subscription and other affairs towards obtaining said Act" records meetings of this committee to 24th August 1758), which received Royal Assent on 9th June 1758. On 7th July 1748, Commissioners appointed thereby held their first meeting and took oath prescribed by Act.

During night of 7th and 8th October 1767 a great flood occurred, totally stopping the Navigation, and at Annual Meeting of Commissioners on 23rd June 1768, it was resolved to open subscription for payment of debts and make application to Parliament for more encouraging terms and to secure works from further damage. New Act received Royal Assent on 21st April 1769 incorporating proprietors as "Company of Proprietors of Calder and Hebble Navigation", with common seal, and first general meeting of proprietors took place on 18th May 1769. Company passed to British Transport Commission under Transport Act 1947.