Hugh Henshall

Henshall's father John may have assisted James Brindley on early surveys of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

[4] Henshall worked with Brindley and John Smeaton in 1758 to survey the proposed Trent and Mersey Canal.

The death of Henshall's mother, and his absence led to criticism from the canal company for not attending to the work.

[3][8] He produced a written report which helped assuage the fears of local mill owners, worried that the new canal would harm their water supply.

[10] In 1792 Henshall was asked to re-survey Josiah Clowes's plans for the route of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal, and recommended a diversion to Newent, where there were minor coalfields.

He reported that if the locks and cuts were kept in good order and the millers prevented from lowering the water level that the navigation could be more successful and more reliable.

[4] Henshall and Thomas Dadford, Jr. (another pupil of James Brindley) surveyed the line of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal for a tramroad from Llan-march Coal and Mine Works to the Clydach ironworks.