Posted on by H&P Adventures

Worsley and the Delph

Bridgewater Canal was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley and one of the first canals to be built. The section from Worsley to Manchester opened on 17th July 1761.

Travelling under the M60/M62 at a rather slower pace of life

The basin below is known as the Delph, meaning “delved place” or “dug place”.   It was originally a sandstone quarry prior to becoming the start of a 46 mile underground canal system for coal.  The canals are on four different levels, connected by a water powered inclined plane and lifts.  Sandstone quarried from here, known as Worsley Delph sandstone was used in the building of the canal and original Barton Aqueduct.

The curious structure on the island is a contemporary interpretation of the crane which sed to be located in the Delph.

In front of the tunnel entrance are outlines of the mining boats which would have gone in and out, first empty and then full of the coal they collected. These were only four and a half feet wide and were given the nickname of “starvationers” because of the protruding rib sides.

In its heyday around 80 boats entered and exited the mines at the Delph every day, with around 100,000 tonnes of coal being mined. By 1888, however, coal transport via the underground canal ceased, marking the end of the Delph as an industrial centre.

Today the Delph area has been developed to reflect the industrial past of the area.  A new multi-level viewing platform enhances public access and offers improved views across the Delph. Striking and distinctive interpretation features help to ensure that the Delph’s rich history and its role in the Industrial Revolution are fully revealed to local residents and visitors.

A replica coal cart, complete with harness; usually pulled by women known as ‘drawers’– is definitely worth a second look. If you study the individual pieces of coal you will find they are intricately etched with details telling stories of what it was like to be a young child in the mines prior to the Mines Act of 1842 which finally stopped children under 10 years old from working there.
Miner’s helmet and axe

The canal around Worsley was noted for the distinctive bright orange colouring of the water. This was a result of iron oxide from the mines tainting the water as the canal passes through Worsley. A £2.5 million remedial scheme was undertaken in 2013 to remove this colouration. It works until boats passing by churn up the water!

When Queen Victoria visited Worsley New hall in 1851 the canal was dyed blue in her honour.

Now a Grade II listed building, the boat house was used by the 1st Earl of Ellesmere to house the boat in which Queen Victoria travelled on for her visit to Worsley New Hall

Worsley Court House was built in 1849 as the local manor court. After 1888 it became a magistrates’ court.
The courthouse was sold to Worsley District Council in 1966 and was extended the following year. In 1974 ownership passed to Salford Council.  Today it is a wedding/party venue.

Worsley Green Monument

Situated on the green is Worsley Green Monument, a fountain erected in 1905 by the 3rd Earl of Ellesmere in memory of the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater.   It stands on the site of a former factory of the Duke which stood on the site of the green and  re-uses bricks from the chimney.

We had a very pretty mooring at Worsley beside a great pub, restaurant, wine bar and pizzeria!

Dotted along the canal is artwork created from water-jet cut 20 mm thick Cor-Ten Steel. Also known as ‘Weathering Steel’ this metal is designed to have a long lasting rusty patina, which relates to the colour of the canal due to oxide residues.

Navvy man and his wheelbarrow
James Brindley was the canal engineer
Gilbert, the land agent and engineer, Brindley and Francis Egerton.

We are delighted to say that the Barton Swing Aqueduct has reopened and we can move on back towards Anderton.

Back in operation 😀

With the development of the Manchester Ship Canal it was necessary to replace the brick built aqueduct with a moveable structure.  Opened in 1893 it consists of a channel that can be sealed off at each end to form a 235 feet long and 18 feet wide tank, holding 800 tons of water.  It swings round on its pivot, situated on an island in the middle of the Ship Canal.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog.  Thanks to guide boards and the following web pages for info…. Pennine Waterways; Wikipedia; Historic buildings; Scartworks;

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