Which in former times when spinning was done by hand, was the staple
trade of Knaresbro' and its vicinity, but which, of late years has been
much on the decline, perhaps owing to many causes.
The principal one we are disposed to believe, arose from the capitalists
originally engaged in that line becoming mill owners; and as mills for
sometime did not increase by their numbers so rapidly as to glut the
market with their produce, the profits in that branch were better than
the other; and as this became apparent, its effects soon spread; so that
few more reasons are requisite to prove the fact, of the Linen
Manufacture having given place to that of Yarns.
Another reason why it hath not made equal progress with other places, may
be the length of time manufactured goods are on their passage to London,
where there is a market for every thing every day; the port of York is
the only one where these goods have been shipped, and from what cause we
cannot say, but they have been frequently so long on their passage, that
good connections have been entirely lost on that account; whereas if the
Railway was completed, Hull would naturally become the port of
Knaresbro', and all produce of its manufacture would reach Hull in two
days, at a much less expense than at present, and London most probably in
five or six days more. Thus it is highly probable an order from London
might be executed and warehoused in eight days, or sometimes in half that
time; a convenience perhaps unenjoyed by any other place of the kind.
Notwithstanding the manufacture of Linens here has not till lately been
carried forward in that variety, nor the great increase of Looms been
made compared with other places, still the character of Knaresbro' Linens
is maintained, when brought into service.
With regard to the tonnage arising from Linens, it alone will not be
considerable, but as it is one article of tonnage in a descending
direction, we beg leave to class with it, that of Linen Yarns, for
should, by this improved mode of conveyance, either of these increase in
quantity in a descending direction, the other as naturally will decrease,
and as a considerable proportion of Yarns made in this neighbourhood,
finds a market at Barnsley, and in that direction, it is presumed that
along the Railway, and thence by a Barnsley boat, will be the cheapest
mode of conveyance; and in the reverse direction coal will naturally
become an article of tonnage and traffic. Having already from good and
safe data, stated the quantity of Flax likely to come on this improved
line of conveyance, at 2440 tons, and why a great proportion of it when
made into Linens, Yarns, and Tow, should naturally be tonnage in a
descending direction, we hope the public will give us credit for
estimating this tonnage, at 2000 tons, per annum, and which we will
suppose to be all delivered at Knaresbro'; hence the tonnage of it to
Bolton Percy, will be 2000 tons, 18 miles, at 4d. per ton, per mile 600
pounds per annum, in a descending direction.