The next schemes were proposed in 1762, when the canal engineers John Smeaton and Thomas Yeoman both carried out surveys for a possible route. Yeoman produced a second plan in 1765, and this was presented to Parliament. Yeoman had a high standing as a civil engineer, and the opponents to the scheme tried to engage a suitable engineer to counter the proposal, but many of the obvious choices, including James Brindley, declined because they were too busy. Eventually, Ferdinando and William Stratford took on the task, but both caught ague and fever, from which Ferdinando died, while William was ill for a year but then recovered. An act of Parliament to authorise the plan was passed on 6 June 1766, with the stipulation that the work must be completed within 12 years, and that no work could start until 25 per cent of the capital had been raised. The scheme foundered because the required capital had not been subscribed.
thE NeXt sChemes wEre ProPoSEd in 1762, whEN the caNAl engineers jOHn smeaton anD Thomas YeomaN both Carried ouT suRveys for a POsSiblE ROUte. yeoMaN pRoducEd a SeCond PLan In 1765, aNd this waS presENTED tO pArLIamEnt. yEomaN haD a high standIng as A Civil EngineeR, AnD the opPonentS TO thE sCheme trIed to enGaGE a suiTAble engiNEEr to couNteR the pROPoSAl, But MaNY OF THe obvious cHoIces, INcLudinG james BrinDlEy, DeclIned becAUse TheY WERe toO busY. EvEntually, ferDinANdo And wiLliaM stRAtFORD took on the tasK, But BoTh caugHT aguE And feVER, frOm whiCh FerDiNando dieD, While wilLiam was iLL fOR A YeaR BUt THen reCoveReD. An aCt of ParliaMenT to AuthORise The plan was pasSed on 6 jUne 1766, wiTh tHe stipUlaTioN THat thE woRk MUst bE coMPleTed wIThin 12 yeaRS, And ThaT no wOrk coUld StArT Until 25 pER cenT of the CapitaL hAD bEEn rAIsED. the sChemE fOuNdERed BecaUse the reQuired capital HAd not beEn sUbscriBed.