The canal's Act was passed in 1755, predating that of the Bridgwater Canal, so this can arguably be called the first modern canal. Although known as the Sankey Brook Navigation, this was part of a strategy to make it sound as if was merely an improvement to an existing river, requiring less scrutiny when obtaining the Act, whereas it was actually totally independent of it. Originally joining the Mersey at Fiddlers Ferry, it was later extended by three and a quarter miles to a more reliable deep water connection near Widnes. In ordering the pictures, the canal has been split into four sections:- a) The Main Line 13 miles and 1 furlong to a junction with the Blackbrook and Gerrards Bridge arms. b) The Blackbrook Branch, half a mile long. c) The Gerrards Bridge Branch, one and a half miles long. d) The Boardman's Bridge or Dalglish Arm, one and a quarter miles from its junction with the Gerrards Bridge Branch
Junction with the River Mersey.
At Widnes Locks. Grid Ref: SJ 5139 8420 [SHCa-001-000]Junction with the River Mersey.
Widnes Locks
Start of the canal at its junction with the River Mersey. Grid Ref: SJ 5139 8420 [SHCa-001-000]Widnes Locks
Sankey Canal. Widnes (Spike Island) Lock. 19 May 1985
Later Entrance Lock from the River Mersey. Grid Ref: SJ 5139 8420Sankey Canal. Widnes (Spike Island) Lock. 19 May 1985
Widnes Locks and the River Mersey at high tide.
Grid Ref: SJ 5139 8420 [SHCa-001-000]. Picture taken from the top of Catalyst on Mersey Road.Widnes Locks and the River Mersey at high tide.
Widnes Dock
In 1905, this was surrounded on all four sides by railway sidings and a chemical works ran alongside the canal to about where the blue boat is. By 1957, the basin had been filled in, the chemical works demolished and the railways were only on the north and west sided. The basin has been restored but the entrance lock from the River Mersey that was in the bottom left corner and has not. Grid Ref: SJ 5146 8430 [SHCa-001-000]Widnes Dock
The main line north of Widnes Locks
Looking east from the top of the Catalyst building. Grid Ref: SJ 526 8413 [SHCa-001-000]The main line north of Widnes Locks
Bridge No.1 on the main line.
This was formerly the swing bridge leading to the railway sidings and basin next to Widnes Locks. Grid Ref: SJ 5153 8467 [SHCa-001-550]Bridge No.1 on the main line.
Main Line, looking west from the dock railway swing bridge
Picture taken from Grid Ref: SJ 5153 8467 [SHCa-001-550]Main Line, looking west from the dock railway swing bridge
Taylors Crossing Swing Bridge
Grid Ref: SJ 5475 8580 [SHCa-004-920]. Looking west to the fixed replacement bridge, since replaced with a higher structure.Taylors Crossing Swing Bridge
Liverpool Road Bridge, Sankey Bridges.
Grid Ref: SJ 5849 8766 [SHCa-009-210]. . This is the fixed bridge. The presence of the swing bridge in front of it is curious as maps back to 1900 show it to be in addition to the one on Liverpool Road and there appears to be no reason for it.Liverpool Road Bridge, Sankey Bridges.
Lodge Lane Swing Bridge. 26 March 1972
Grid Ref: SJ 5902 8903 [SHCa-010-880]. The bridge is just south of Bewsey Lock and served Bewsey Old Hall. Bewsey Lock can be seen in the distance.Lodge Lane Swing Bridge. 26 March 1972
Bewsey Lock. 26 March 1972
Grid Ref: SJ 5929 8966 [SHCa-011-570]. The swing bridge across the lock chamber itself evident. Having a swing bridge between the upper and lower lock gates was a feature of several locks on the canal.Bewsey Lock. 26 March 1972
Winwick Lock. 12 January 1958
Grid Ref: SJ 5939 9204 [SHCa-014-170]. The canal depot was just south of this lock. The railway on the right is the LNWR Main Line from Warrington to Wigan.Winwick Lock. 12 January 1958
Winwick Lock. 12 January 1958
Paddle gear on bottom lock gate. Grid Ref: SJ 5939 9204 [SHCa-014-170]Winwick Lock. 12 January 1958
Watery Lane Swing Bridge, Winwick. 26 March 1972
Grid Ref: SJ 5911 9230 [SHCa-014-560]Watery Lane Swing Bridge, Winwick. 26 March 1972
Bradley Lock
Grid Ref: SJ 5734 9444 [SHCa-017-640]. Part of the Sugar Factory and the Sankey Viaduct for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway can be seen.Bradley Lock
Sankey Sugar Company factory . 30 April 1972
Grid Ref: SJ 5734 9444 [SHCa-017-910]. Barges brought raw sugar to the Sankey Sugar Company until 1959.Sankey Sugar Company factory . 30 April 1972
Sankey Viaduct. 30 April 1972
Also known as Earlestown Viaduct. Grid Ref: SJ 5694 9475 [SHCa-018-160]. The viaduct carries the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. The factory is the Sankey Sugar Company, to which barges brought raw sugar until 1959.Sankey Viaduct. 30 April 1972
Sankey or Earlestown Viaduct
Stevenson's viaduct on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Grid Ref: SJ 5694 9475 [SHCa-018-160]Sankey or Earlestown Viaduct
Newton Common Lock and Sankey Viaduct. 30 April 1972
The canal north of this lock (Grid Ref: SJ 5655 9486 [SHCa-018-590]) was closed in 1931. The viaduct carries the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. Also known as Earlestown VIaduct.Newton Common Lock and Sankey Viaduct. 30 April 1972
Section of canal still in water.
No location given but certain aspects suggest near the site of Island Brow Bridge on the Gerrards Bridge Branch looking west. Grid Ref: SJ 5221 9634 [SHCc-002-610]Section of canal still in water.
Pilkington's Glass Works
The location and date have not been specified but this appears to be the works located at Grid Ref: SJ 5190 9586 [SHCd-001-360], near the Boardman's Bridge Arm. The aerial ropeway was use to carry the large quantities of sand required from the sand washes to the works.Pilkington's Glass Works
Boardmans Bridge Branch, north of St Helens Station. 20 June 1971
The last commercial use of the canal in St Helens is thought to have been in 1919, though it was not formally closed unil 1931. Nevertheless it was still in water forty years later, and being used for a fishing competition. The picture was taken from Corporation Street Bridge, Grid Ref: SJ 5174 9541 [SHCd-001-930], looking north. The restriction would have been for the L&NWR Pocket Nook Branch Bridge; originally a swing bridge but apparently fixed before the 1959 mapping and removed since.Boardmans Bridge Branch, north of St Helens Station. 20 June 1971
Near the current end of the Boardman's Bridge Branch
Picture taken from about Grid Ref: SJ 5127 9500 [SHCd-002-760]. The end of the navigation is next to the warehouse, now a car park, beyond the multi storey car park on the right and the building on the left with the top of a glass kiln above the roof is now the World of Glass Museum.Near the current end of the Boardman's Bridge Branch
