[1] It was responsible for improving and maintaining the navigation on the river between Wilden Ferry (near Cavendish Bridge) and Gainsborough (with the exception of Averham to South Muskham), and junctions with the various other canals.

Some of the canals opening in the 1790s offered routes for traffic by-passing large sections of the River Trent.

The works completed by 1927 enabled larger river boats to sail up to Nottingham from Hull and the continent.

[10] The annual tonnage carried increased more than eight-fold following the Nottingham Corporation assumption of control of part of the Trent Navigation.

In the late 1930s, the powerful motor vessels and dumb barges owned by the company had a total carrying capacity of 4,500 tons.

[11] Each day, vessels were in attendance at each of the Hull docks and consignments of five tons and upwards were collected direct overside from steamers.

No wharfage or landing charges were incurred when cargo was directly discharged into the company's boats.