ABSTRACT
Problems of managerial control were increased on the Caledonian Canal by distance, supply of raw materials and the unprecedented scale of the project. This chapter attempts to describe the managerial structure developed by Telford in response to the problems, with special reference to the division of responsibility between T. Telford, W. Jessop, site engineers and contractors, and the contrast between survey and construction personnel. Construction work commenced on a very limited scale in December 1803, but it was not until the passing of the Second Canal Act in June 1804 that moves were made to appoint permanent supervisory construction staff. Jessop was again excluded from the major decision-making over recruitment, simply endorsing Telford's appointments. Evidence for this belief comes from the Second Caledonian Canal Report which contains extracts from Telford and Jessop's correspondence over new posts. The canal's first dredging machine appears to have been designed entirely by Jessop, who was probably instrumental in the adoption of a steam dredger.
