Manchester Ship Canal

I remember driving over the Barton High Level Bridge in the '80s when it used to flex and bounce you around. That would be before they closed it to find out why it flexed - which turned out to be because the construction team had "economised" with the steel they were supposed to have used and only about 50% had found its way into the bridge. I think the rest of the supporting structure was 4x2's.
 
Here's one. Boat trip along the canal for MSC workers. Not sure where it was taken but my wife's parents boarded in Ellesmere port. Taken 1935.

Wife's parents almost centre of photo, lower deck. He's the tall man in the bowler hat, she's the very short lady in a white hat.

Canaltrip1935.jpg
 
I used to be on ships that went up to Stanlow, (Shell Tankers) and odd times on chartered FOC's.

Always remember there was one tug that was always breaking down and regular Masters used to refuse it and tell Pilot to either change it or have it on stern tow line - not ahead.
On one ship we had THAT tug ahead and she true to form broke down ... we had to then take a slot on the Paper Mill Dock while they sorted another tug. Trouble was we ran aground before we could reach the dock - despite there supposed to be plenty of water for us. Turned out no-one cared about the Mill dock - just kept the main canal depth maintained.

Another time - different ship we 'nudged' the entrance lock gates when waiting for them to open ... Next trip we arrived, they were all lashed up with ropes and chains ... as we went through - I shouted at the wharfies .. what happened ? "Bl***y Joe Boat other day ....". OOOPs !!

Only good thing about going up the MSC was the thought that we would eventually go DOWN the MSC and away !! Don't know which was worse ... Stanlow or Stanford Le Hope on the Thames... (nicknamed Stanford NO Hope).
 
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.......... and don't fall in ..... you'll get typhoid! ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Don't fall in. you'll dissolve.
 
Just looking at the photo of the tug. You can imagine elf having a field day. As for the canal cruise, the old effluent ships on the Clyde used to carry passengers for day trips down the water which I believe were quite popular untill the boats finished up not that many years ago.
 
It is very unlikely that the MSC would be closed, they may stop the large ships transiting it but the MSC is the drainage system for a vast area now.

Just as a point of interest I live just about 1/2 mile further up the canal from the photo. Occasionally sitting in the garden you will see the bridge of a ship cruise by over the house roof tops.

There was a sub in the locks about 5 years ago on it's way to Manchester just cant remember the name of it aor why it was going there.

For those that remember the Ferry across the Mersey (Royal Iris and the Royal Daffodil) they now run trips from Liverpool to Manchester and then return you to Liverpool on a coach, and visa versa. I'm told it's a great trip on a good day! Dont forget to wave as you go past my house! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom

(EDIT) Bugger I should have read all the posts first! (thatll learn me!)
 
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do you have any historic photo's of the area you could post?

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None survive i'm afraid. The photos of The Beatles, Gerry & Pacemakers, Cilla and Billy J.Kramer & Dakotas etc all got glued/pinned/sellotaped to bedroom walls where they gradually went brown and fell to pieces. The Photo of Runcorn Bridge I last saw about five years ago in my father's effects, but I think my sister chucked it out. I got a photo of MV Britannic in Liverpool from a photo library, and that hangs in my house in Yorkshire, so I regret I have nothing much to show.

Tim
 
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I live in spitting distance of this one, as the crow flies we are not that far apart then... be afraid

Though this is the weaver swing bridge, the route to Norwhich, is this also threatened with closure? We were only remarking the other day, that is was ages since either of us had been stopped to let anything through.. there used to be regular coasters through there, not seen a ship for years, just the odd canal type boat now.

I used to use the bridge you live near regularly when I lived near risley, I can't truly remember where it is now though, I think it was if I was driving to miss the Thelwall viaduct, past the big garden centre. Didn't they used to charge a toll to cross it, or is that another similar one near Altringham?
 
That's a shame, I have seen some pictures of the transporter bridge, but they are generally poor copies. I believe there is a remaining transporter bridge still in operation in the NE somewhere, I would drive up specially to ride on it if I knew where it was.
 
They are the best dressed on board..

Nice photo, thank you for posting it.. any idea what the ship behind them is?
 
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