Description: This view shows Fellows Morton boat no. 168, 'Envoy', and Trent Navigation Company barges. Work on the Nottingham canal's construction began on July 30th 1792. Exactly one year later the first section of the canal from Trent Bridge up to the town wharves was officially opened. An account in the Newark Herald (7.8.1792) stated 'a vessel ornamented with streamers was drawn up by a number of navigators amidst the acclamations of some thousands of spectators. Wharfs are now forming, and as soon as they are finished Nottingham will enjoy the greatest of blessings to a populous town, a water communication by which the price of coals and other necessities of life will be considerably lessened'. By April 1796 the entire length of the canal had been completed. There doesn't appear to have been much if anything in the way of an opening ceremony, but perhaps by now the enthusiasm had waned a little. There had been 'erroneous construction of many of the works on the canal' and 'a very large expenditure' had been incurred. The canal had cost about £80,000, far more than the original estimate. It was probably little consolation to the Nottingham Canal Company and its shareholders, but most of other canals built during this period came in over budget. From 1793 onwards the Country found itself at war with France; one consequence being the economy suffered a rapid inflation, which led to ever rising costs for the canal makers of that period. (information from www.lentontimes.co.uk)