1-158-318 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Barge crossing the Barton aqueduct over the Irwell, Salford, Greater Manchester, c1794. Financed largely by Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater (1736-1803), the 10 mile (16 km) length of canal linking his coal mines at Worsley to the city of Manchester opened in 1761. In 1766 a 30 mile (50 km) extension was opened from Manchester to Liverpool. This was the first British canal to be completely man-made. The engineer for the project was James Brindley (1716-1772).