Old Measures

From the 1970s decimalisation of the UK currency, and the introduction and teaching of the metric system of weights and measures, has decreased our knowledge of the old systems. I have therefore included some reference tables to aid understanding where needed.

Where my own knowledge, or the Canal’s Act of Parliament, do not give me the answer I have used ‘How Heavy, How Much and How Long?’ by Colin R Chapman, ISBN 1-873686 09 9 as my reference for obscure/lost measures.

Length / Distance / Area

In the 18th century lengths such as feet (ft) and inches (ins) were long-established, and had a widely understood and accepted meaning, however, longer distances such as a mile could vary from area to area.

Surveyors had a formalised system of measuring which fitted into the workaday feet and inches system.

Weights / Volume

Weights and measures differed markedly from area to area. Avoirdupois weights such as pounds (lb), stones (st), hundredweight (cwt), and ton (T) were used but varied regionally in their make-up.

The canal’s Act of Parliament defines that on the waterway “ the Ton of Coals and Lime-stone shall consist of Twenty two Hundreds of One Hundred and Twelve Pounds each to the Ton”. That makes a ‘canal’ ton 2464lbs, that is 10% more than our current standard.

Lead-ingots were measured in Fodders. At the smelter in Derbyshire a fodder was 2820 pounds, at West Stockwith a fodder was 2408 pounds, at Hull 2340 pounds and in London 2184 pounds!

The conversion of volumes to weights of items such as a ‘barrel of Dry Goods’ also varied along the canal.

Currency, Old and New

When the canal was being planned and built the currency was well established in Pounds, Shillings and Pennies. ( £ s d). UK currency changed to the decimal system on 15 February 1971, so the following table may be helpful in understanding old values.