Manchester Ship Canal 130yr exhibit at Irlam Station House

A new display has been installed in the Heritage Hub at Irlam Station to recognise that the Manchester Ship Canal (MSC) being 130yrs old, having first opened in 1894.

The MSC exhibit can be seen in the Coal Yard in Station House and is free to view, as are the many other fantastic exhibits in and around Station House, that tell the story of the district’s rich history.

The MSC, an iconic engineering feat of the Victorian era, took 6yrs to build its 36 mile course at a cost of over £15 million.  When it opened, this deep inland waterway was the largest river navigation canal in the world and gave ocean-going vessels direct access to Manchester, helping to create jobs, boost competition and reduce transport costs.  This massive undertaking required over 200 miles of temporary railway track to carry construction materials and workers.  Irlam locks alone required 10,000 tons of cement for solid foundations.

Despite the use of heavy machinery and equipment, over 16,000 men and boys (known as navvies) were employed to undertake the arduous labour.  Workers were housed in accommodation huts, local houses and first aid stations, as well as three temporary hospitals, as there were many injuries and some fatalities during the course of the build.

Whilst the canal is no longer used for transporting goods, it remains an everlasting reminder of the ingenuity, determination, skill, and hard labour of those early pioneers.

Please pop down and learn more about this amazing piece of history.

For Irlam Station opening times call 0161 222 1923.

Posted on: 28th August 2024