3-078-128 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Progress of the Manchester Ship Canal works: finished cutting at Weaste, 1890. '...it seems that, barring unexpected accidents, the canal will be ready for use by the early days of 1892. Already the greater proportion of the mere excavation has been accomplished; and in many places the steam-navvies have been withdrawn, their places being now filled by steam-cranes, to aid in the "pitching" or facing of the cuttings. At several points this work also has been finished, and the cutting lacks only water to become a canal in fact as well as in name. We give an Illustration of one such finished portion. This view is taken on the top reach of the canal, at Weaste, about halfway between Barton and Manchester. This length has a bottom width of 200 ft., as compared with 120 ft. for the remainder of the canal. The curve shown in our Sketch is, perhaps, the sharpest on the whole canal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.