The first act of parliament relating to this river was passed in 1716, and is entitled, 'An Act for the Preservation and Improvement of the River Wear and Port and Haven of Sunderland, in the county of Durham.' It appointed certain persons, commissioners to execute the powers of the act for a period of twenty-one years, and to take duties as therein specified, to commence from the 24th June, 1717.
In 1726 another act was passed, entitled, 'An Act for the more effectual Preservation and Improvement of the Port and Haven of Sunderland, in the county of Durham,' which continued the commissioners for a period of twenty-one years, and authorized them to build a pier or quay on the south side and at the mouth of the said river, and to make other improvements thereon.
The act passed in 1747, entitled, 'An Act for the better Preservation and Improvement of the River Wear and Port and Haven of Sunderland, in the county of Durham,' states that the pier authorized by the last act of parliament has been erected, but that it wants additional works; and that the navigation of the river has become in a bad state, in consequence of the funds, arising from the tolls collected thereon, not being sufficient to keep it in a proper state of order and repair. The act, therefore, appoints new commissioners for a period of twenty-one years, and authorizes them to make the river navigable from Biddick Ford to New Bridge; and for carrying these works into effect, they are empowered to borrow so much money as may be found necessary, by mortgage of the dues, which are as follow
DUES.
| For every Chaldron of Coal or Cinders, to be paid by the Owner | 1½d. |
| And to be paid by the Coal Factors or Fitters | ½d. |
The next act of parliament was passed in 1759, and is entitled, 'An Act for making and completing the Navigation of the River Wear, from and including South Biddick, or Biddick Ford, in the county of Durham, to the city of Durham, and for repealing so much of the Act of the Twentieth Year of this Reign, as relates to making the said River navigable between the said Two Places called South Biddick, or Biddick Ford, and New Bridge in the county of Durham.' It appoints certain persons therein named,
