The three Whitby Locks linked the Wirral Line to the Mersey at what became Ellesmere Port. For the first few decades there was only a small settlement here, transhipment being done at Chester. When the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal was approved, it was realised that Ellesmere Port would become the main destination for boats from Birmingham and the Black Country. Extensive works were carried out, not being completed until 1843. The final major period of development was prompted by the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1891. From 1922 until 1972, the port was administered by the MSC. The boat museum was established in the 1970s, which has led to many of the buildings being saved.
Tidal Basin at Ellesmere Port. Ca 1910
Cleaner copy of slide from the Weaver Collection (RMA 047624)Tidal Basin at Ellesmere Port. Ca 1910
Ellesmere Port. Quay walls renewal. Ca 1910
Cleaner copy of slide from the Weaver Collection (RMA 047622)Ellesmere Port. Quay walls renewal. Ca 1910
Ellesmere Port. Warehouses and hydraulic Cranes. Ca 1910
Cleaner but fuzzier copy of slide from the Weaver Collection (RMA 047626)Ellesmere Port. Warehouses and hydraulic Cranes. Ca 1910
Ellesmere Port. 1956.
Warehouses. Now the main exhibition hall of the Boat Museum. Grid Ref: SJ 40547 77166Ellesmere Port. 1956.
Ellesmere Port. 1956
Canal Lock. Grid Ref: SJ 40592 77167. Looking southeast along the canal.Ellesmere Port. 1956
Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum. Looking towards Bridge 147A
Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum. Looking towards Bridge 147A
Ellesmere Port; Shropshire Union Canal
The bridge is Ship Lock Swingbridge, with the Ship Lock beyond. In the foreground is one of the MSC Concrete Barges - standing on deck is Ian's wife JoanEllesmere Port; Shropshire Union Canal
Ellesmere Port Warehouse, cranes and loaded narrowboat
Image possibly reversed?Ellesmere Port Warehouse, cranes and loaded narrowboat
Wall with "Shropshire Union Railway & Canal General Carriers" painted on the face
Possibly Ellesmere PortWall with "Shropshire Union Railway & Canal General Carriers" painted on the face
Ellesmere Port: Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Works (2002)
The company moved here from Wolverhampton in 1904 to gain easier access to raw steel. (6 June 2002)Ellesmere Port: Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Works (2002)
Ellesmere Port: View north towards Whitby Locks (1967)
From Powell's Bridge (147) (12 March 1967)Ellesmere Port: View north towards Whitby Locks (1967)
'Dragon' at Ellesmere Port (1993)
The steerer was Joe Jinks. (Easter 1993)'Dragon' at Ellesmere Port (1993)
Ellesmere Port (1958)
Whitby Locks: the top narrow lock. Offices to the left; hydraulic station centre right. (7 September 1958)Ellesmere Port (1958)
Ellesmere Port at the end of the 19th century
Broad locks on the left; narrow on the right. Sailing ships on river Mersey beyond the warehouses.Ellesmere Port at the end of the 19th century
Ellesmere Port (1958)
Whitby Locks: the top narrow lock. From left to right: general wharf & crate warehouse, port lock, hydraulic station, bone ash warehouse. (7 September 1958)Ellesmere Port (1958)
Ellesmere Port (1958)
Whitby Locks: the lower narrow lock. From left to right: crate warehouse, port lock, hydraulic station, bone ash warehouse. (7 September 1958)Ellesmere Port (1958)
Ellesmere Port (1958)
Whitby locks: the two lower locks. Centre: hydraulic station; right: bone ash warehouse (with iron warehouse behind). (7 September 1958)Ellesmere Port (1958)
Ellesmere Port (1958)
Inner dock. From left to right: general wharf & crate warehouse, port lock, hydraulic station. (7 September 1958)Ellesmere Port (1958)
Ellesmere Port (1967)
Lower basin: china clay & general warehouse on the left, grain warehouse on the right. The latter warehouse burnt down on 31 March 1970. Three barges made of concrete. (7 September 1967)Ellesmere Port (1967)
Ellesmere Port (1967)
Lower basin: china clay & general warehouse on the left, grain warehouse on the right. The latter warehouse burnt down on 31 March 1970. (7 September 1967)Ellesmere Port (1967)
Ellesmere Port (1967)
Lower basin: china clay & general warehouse on the left, grain warehouse on the right. The latter warehouse burnt down on 31 March 1970. Three barges made of concrete. (7 September 1967)Ellesmere Port (1967)
Ellesmere Port - Telford warehouse 057661
Before the fire, which happened on 31 March 1970. With concrete barges.Ellesmere Port - Telford warehouse 057661
Ellesmere Port - Telford warehouse 057611
Before burt down on 31 March 1970. Concrete barges.Ellesmere Port - Telford warehouse 057611
Ellesmere Port (1967)
Lower basin: looking north-west from the iron ore wharf. (7 September 1967)Ellesmere Port (1967)
Ellesmere Port: entrance from Manchester Ship Canal (1971)
The large buildings are the Imperial Mill (left) and King's Mill (right). (18 September 1971)Ellesmere Port: entrance from Manchester Ship Canal (1971)
Ellesmere Port (1973)
Inner dock: Port Lock in the foreground. From left to right: bone ash warehouse, Whitby Locks, the warehouse by the upper basin. (5 March 1973)Ellesmere Port (1973)
Ellesmere Port (1973)
Looking north-east from Port Lock. From left to right: iron warehouse, bone ash warehouse, stables (two blocks). (5 March 1973)Ellesmere Port (1973)
Ellesmere Port (1973)
Port Lock: . From left to right: bone ash warehouse, Whitby Locks, the warehouse by the upper basin. (5 March 1973)Ellesmere Port (1973)
Ellesmere Port (1973)
Entrance basin. From left to right: hydraulic station, iron warehouse, workshops, stables and (on skyline far right) offices. (5 March 1973)Ellesmere Port (1973)
