 The costs of carrying out such work were grossly optimistic, and the commissioners were soon in financial difficulties.Despite this, and heavy flooding in the winter of 1761/2, which resulted in no taxes being collected, the Commissioners owned eight mills by 1774, each of which used a scoop wheel to lift water into the rivers.The costs of maintenance and repair of the mills were high, not helped by the Naval shipbuilding programme driving up the cost of oak.