Bridging the Years- Stories

The Bridgewater Canal - The Duke's Cut: Contents

Pick a page to read by clicking on its title in the list below:

No.	Title	Description
1	A Unique Waterway	The Bridgewater Canal was not the first canal in the British Isles. The Newry Canal was opened in 1742 in the North of Ireland. Two years before work on the Bridgewater Canal ...
2	The Canal Duke	The Bridgewater Canal would not have been built but for its namesake - Francis Egerton, the Duke of Bridgewater. A sickly child and the youngest of eight, he was not expected ...
3	Why Build a Canal?	The Duke seems to have had many influences encouraging him to make his plans of a new efficient waterway into reality. However, such an undertaking was not one to be entered i...
4	The Canal Trio	Credit for the Bridgewater Canal is not solely due to the Duke. The Canal's creation and success is also due to two other individuals - John Gilbert and James Brindley....
5	Turning Plans Into Reality	The Duke could not simply start digging his canal. He needed finances to fund his project and permission from Parliament. Obtaining an Act from Parliament permitting construct...
6	The Canal's Progress	While miners working on the underground canal were progressing into the rock face at Worsley Delph, the Duke's navvies were cutting the Canal along its new route towards Manch...
7	A Lasting Legacy	The construction of the Bridgewater Canal caused waves of interest. Inspired by the Duke and his team, others followed suit and many more canals were built, such as the Trent ...