Trent & Mersey Canal - Barnton & Saltesford Tunnels

From Anderton the Trent & Mersey Canal meanders its way northwards to Preston Brook.

The Barnton and Saltesford Tunnels are amongst the earliest examples of the art of tunnel digging. The navvies seem to have been on a learning curve for neither is straight nor are they wide enough for two narrowboats to pass and with a sharp bend at its entrance it is difficult to see if the way is clear before entering the Saltesford.

The hairpin bend before the Barnton Tunnel proved yet another challenge for our steerer "Blind Hannibal MacSlackbladder" and it appears that I was required to scuttle along the bank and push the pointy end off. Hey ho.

We moored for the night near the Black Prince Hire Base at Bartington Wharf and dined at the Leigh Arms where, apparently, it was Curry Night.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• trent
• mersey
• canal
• barnton
• saltsiford
• tunnel
• lock
• narrowboat
• leigh
• arms
• cheshire

[LulieGirl]

Hey, nice video, when was this recorded?? looks a little different to nowadays..

[PIGandPINEAPPLE]

On Monday the 13th of September 1994. I remember this date well because the following one of our so called friends kick a very expensive video camera into the cut never to be seen again!

[batesybmx]

YOU GUYS ARE HARDCORE

[jacko2512]

great

[0nix0]

A quote from a book:

"The Duke of Bridgewater finding that the narrow 7' gauge prevented his newly commissioned 40-ton barges from reaching Middlewich complained bitterly to Henshall. The T&M's chief engineer replied rather lamely that as his Lordship's barges had been constructed after the tunnels had been built, there was no cause for complaint."

[0nix0]

Following the death of James Brindley it fell to his brother-in-law Hugh Henshall to complete the link between the Trent and the Mersey. The Barnton and Saltesford Tunnels were built in addition to the anticipated one at Preston Brook and the three were at the time the longest and most ambitious.

[wellusee]

excellent camera work ! from Pat & ger Royal canal Ieland .