Manchester Ship Canal Company Collection

Letting in the water at Ellesmere Port, with E. L. Williams and other Engineers
STC439400 Letting in the water at Ellesmere Port, with E.L. Williams and other Engineers (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

English Navvies and the Iron Horse (sepia photo)
STC439408 English Navvies and the Iron Horse (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Latchford Viaduct, showing locks in distance (sepia photo)
STC439405 Latchford Viaduct, showing locks in distance (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Pile driving, making the Gantry, looking across the Mersey to Widnes (sepia photo)
STC439404 Pile driving, making the Gantry, looking across the Mersey to Widnes (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Dredger at work, Ellesmere Port (sepia photo)
STC439402 Dredger at work, Ellesmere Port (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Runcorn Bridge, making concrete wall (sepia photo)
STC439409 Runcorn Bridge, making concrete wall (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Walton Cutting, showing piers for swing Bridge and entrance to Warrington Docks
STC439407 Walton Cutting, showing piers for swing Bridge and entrance to Warrington Docks (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Sluices at Weston, largest in the World (sepia photo)
STC439403 Sluices at Weston, largest in the World (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Making Latchford Locks, view from Embankment (sepia photo)
STC439401 Making Latchford Locks, view from Embankment (sepia photo) by Birtles, Thomas (1832-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manchester Ship Canal)

Advertisement, Manchester Ship Canal Company (engraving)
1624566 Advertisement, Manchester Ship Canal Company (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Manchester Ship Canal Company)

The Manchester Ship Canal (engraving)
1627660 The Manchester Ship Canal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Manchester Ship Canal)

A Great Dockland of the North, Thirty-Four Miles from Sea and Yet a Port, c1935. No. 9 Dock the Manchester Ship Canal. From Our Wonderful World, Volume IV, edited by J.A. Hammerton

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Unlocking the Gateway: The Manchester Ship Canal Company's Remarkable Journey" Step back in time and witness the monumental efforts of the Manchester Ship Canal Company as they embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor to connect inland Manchester with the vast waters of the sea. Letting in the water at Ellesmere Port, we see E. L. Williams and other visionary engineers overseeing this historic moment. Their determination and expertise would forever change the landscape of trade and transportation. In sepia-toned photographs, English Navvies and their trusty Iron Horse come together, symbolizing an era where human strength merged with industrial might. These images capture not only physical labor but also a spirit of unity that propelled this ambitious project forward. The Latchford Viaduct emerges from afar, showcasing locks that would allow ships to navigate through different elevations along their journey. This engineering marvel stands as a testament to human ingenuity amidst challenging terrain. Pile driving becomes an art form as workers meticulously construct gantries across Mersey towards Widnes. The dredger at work in Ellesmere Port exemplifies relentless dedication towards creating a navigable channel for vessels large and small. Runcorn Bridge takes shape before our eyes, its concrete wall rising against all odds. This structure serves as a reminder that obstacles can be overcome when there is unwavering commitment towards progress. Walton Cutting reveals piers awaiting a swing bridge while providing access to Warrington Docks – evidence of meticulous planning aimed at optimizing efficiency within this great dockland of the North. Sluices at Weston astound us with their sheer size; these colossal gates stand tall as guardians protecting this aquatic artery - truly deserving their title as "the largest in the world. " From atop embankments, we gaze upon sepia-tinted photographs capturing Latchford Locks taking shape - each brick laid representing another step closer to realizing this audacious vision.