Tapestry Themes #3: Canals, Railways & Industrial Innovation
Theme Three: Canals, Railways & Industrial Innovation
Our team has found some fascinating stories about the individuals and communities who worked on these projects and have really highlighted the global significance of Manchester's industry.
There are so many places which exemplify Manchester's incredible transport and industrial links. Some which were mentioned by the team included Castlefield Basin, Rochdale Canal, Trafford Park and Manchester Ship Canal.
The researchers noted some of the key facts which made the Ship Canal so important:
'The Manchester Ship Canal importantly links Manchester to the Irish Sea and enabled ocean vessels to reach Manchester city direct.
Key facts: Construction started in 1887 and it took 6 years to build. It opened in 1894 (Queen Victoria officially opened it in the May) and is 36 miles long. The canal created a ‘port of Manchester’ at Salford, which was no longer deep enough to use. It has the Barton Swing Aqueduct - the world's only swing aqueduct (now a Grade II listed structure).'
The team found lots of songs and poems which related to working on boats and in mines.
The word 'Navvy' is a slang term for a laborer employed to build major 18th and 19th-century British infrastructure projects, such as canals, railways, and tunnels.
Navvy song- "The Cut to Manchester"
(Traditional-style navvy work song, c. 1890)
Verse 1
We rose afore the morning bell, With frost upon the ground, Pick and shovel on our backs, Six foot down we're bound.
Chorus
Oh heave, boys, heave,
Let the water run,
We're cutting a road for the ocean tide
To the heart of Manchester town.
Verse 2
There's Irish, Welsh and Lancashire lads,
All digging side by side,
Some won't live to draw their pay
When the banks begin to slide.
Chorus
Oh heave, boys, heave,
Let the water run
The team also shared their fascinating notes with us:
