Manchester Ship Canal

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Manchester Ship Canal

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17 October 2013 at 14:43 #44437
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Went a cruise along the historic Manchester Ship Canal, from Salford Quays to Liverpool on board the Mersey Ferry – Royal Iris. Managed to take some photographs and thought I wouls share some. Hope they are of interest.

The first photographs are of the ship.
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17 October 2013 at 14:43 #9434
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
A Cruise by Mersey Ferries
17 October 2013 at 14:57 #44438
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
The canal has recently seen an increased use of traffic since coming under the ownership of Peel Ports, who also now own Liverpool docks. Arklow sips use the canal on a regular basis, but non were in evidence on the day of our cruise. At Eastham we were held up in a traffic jam, behind Terry and Chem Orion but in front of Coastal Deniz, this added approx one hour to the time duration. Mersey Ferries do state in their literature (and on the web) to be prepared for these delays. Some passengers were obviously complaining but "get a life" these photographs shouldn't be missed!

Some shots along the canal.

Terry and tug MSC Volant at Eastham.

One of four tugs this is the Volant, the others are Viceroy, Victory and Viking. Really nicely painted too and would make super models.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 17/10/2013 15:04:54
17 October 2013 at 15:04 #44440
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
The cruise allows approx 2 hours in Liverpool (or Salford if travelling in the other direction), before a bus return to the start point.

Finally a few shots at Liverpool –

Steam tug Kerne

Brocklebank

An excellent day out.

Once again, hope the photographs are of interest.

Tony.
17 October 2013 at 15:39 #44441
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Thank you, Tony

Very interesting and would make a nice trip out for our club members!

Didn`t Royal Iris take part in the Dunkirk Evacuation? She would make a really nice model, especially a big one!

It`s a pity, the return trip is by bus

Bob
17 October 2013 at 17:38 #44445
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
I'd certainly love to do a trip like that – great photos. Thanks for sharing them Tony.

Colin
17 October 2013 at 20:28 #44456
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Hello Bob,

The return trip bus is a specially chartered one by Mersey Ferries, which travels along the motorway, approx. return bus journey time is one hour. The sail along the canal takes approx. 6 hours. The dates for the 2014 cruises are now on the Mersey Ferries website. Early booking is a must though, we tried for a August or September sail, as these were full we had to take a date in early October.

Colin, thank-you for the positive feedback, it really was a better trip than words can explain, or photos can show.

Tony
18 October 2013 at 00:44 #44459
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
So it was you who held up the traffic today !! Picture of my Father In Laws ex Tug there ..

MSC Volant.

Our group did the trip about 2 years ago, Bit busier on the boat but was mid summer
18 October 2013 at 12:02 #44471
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Great photos Tony – I particularly like the shots of the motor tugs.

I'm confused to see a sign for the Great Western Railway in Liverpool- perhaps someone could shed this for me.

Ian

Edited By Ian Gardner on 18/10/2013 12:02:49
18 October 2013 at 14:57 #44479
David Wooley
Participant
@davidwooley82563
hello Ian what you see in the picture was once a bonded warehouse for GWR , it was never a rail terminal but was used for the onward transit of good from Liverpool across the Mersey to Birkenhead . GWR had a direct link to Birkenhead via Woodside station on the Wirral side of the Mersey operated jointly with LNWR before nationalisation .

Dave Wooley
18 October 2013 at 16:39 #44480
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Thanks Dave,

All is clear! Coming from the South West it seemed to stick out like a sore thumb to me. You learn something new every day.

And of course I meant -'shed light'

Thanks again,

Ian
23 October 2013 at 11:35 #44578
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Whilst looking further through the photographs of this cruise, these two came to light on a bridge somewhere in the Warrington area.

The Graffiti written on the concrete bridge column holds a good message, it may not be a Banksy, but a lovely tribute to Harry Patch – Britains last Tommy 1898 – 09.

Tony
24 October 2013 at 21:45 #44608
Lord Havengotteny
Participant
@lordhavengotteny
I remember the Mersey Ferry name "Royal Iris" running between Birkenhead (Woodside?)

and Liverpool from my Merseyside visit in '59-'60. I'm pretty sure it would have been this one,

not a predecessor. Many happy memories! Lord Havengotteny, Calgary

Edited By Lord Havengotteny on 24/10/2013 21:46:25
2 August 2014 at 16:56 #50937
Len Morris 2
Participant
@lenmorris2
Hi Everybody,

The Iris went to Dunkirk. Because of her outstanding efforts she was awarded the prefix 'Royal' upon her return. The name passes on to each boat in line. I'm sure there is a big story there yet to be told.

Mersey Ferries offer an excellent day out every day of the week. Go to Pier Head just in front of the Liver building and book a return trip to cross the Mersey and come back. Cheap as chips, about £8.00 for a 40 miniutes trip if you don't get off. The boat runs up the east shore line passing the cruise liner moorings and the amazing scrap piles (destined for China), crosses the Mersey to eventually arrive at the ferry terminal at Birkenhead. If you get off there and wait for the next boat back you can visit the U534 and see the the full size Resurgam replica!

Not done the ship canal tour yet but it is certainly on the do list. Not surprised at the advance booking needed, need to do it!

My daughters house is less than half a mile away from the Urmston locks. They are an enigmatic mix of old and new technology but brilliant to visit. Here are some pics of a small freighter turning round (don't know why).

Len.

Sorry everybody, forgot to put the pictures in my album before I wrote this. Will do so now and post again.
2 August 2014 at 17:12 #50938
Len Morris 2
Participant
@lenmorris2
Hi Everybody,

Here are the pictures!
27 September 2014 at 22:36 #52312
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Salford Council decided to scrap the last two cranes, which were on display at Salford Quays earlier this year. They were sited as a reminder of when the area was Manchester Docks, which was once Britain's third busiest port despite being 40 miles inland. The council stated it was uneconomical to repair them and they didn't wish to fund an expensive legal battle should a piece of metal fall and injure someone.

In the Lowry Centre photographs of the docks are sometimes displayed. On display I couldn't help but notice an interesting short piece of writing by a former dock worker – "Once there were beautiful ships, now there are beautiful buildings – but the ships have all gone"

Salford Quays by night, towards Media City (Northern home of the BBC)
15 November 2014 at 22:51 #53651
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Found this photograph of Manchester Dock No 9 in the public domain. During recent visits to Salford Quays, I managed to take a these photographs of the pleasure vessels which use the water today. Maybe the red and white pleasure vessel isn't the most attractive craft afloat, but it would make into a nice model.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 15/11/2014 22:52:21
16 November 2014 at 10:29 #53653
David Wooley
Participant
@davidwooley82563
Hi Tony It has been many years since I visited Salford docks now of course rebranded as Salford Quays and most certainly transformed ., I was unaware that the Quays had pleasure vessels and attractive ones at that . Yes they would make interesting models. Touching on that subject there is so much around the UK in terms of small ships and boats , inland as well as coastal that have yet to be seen in model form on our inland seaways /ponds. I must book a trip on the Manchester Ship Canal cruise , would you believe I have never been on that trip, I feel I am missing out on something special. Thanks for posting as they say grit to the mill of interest in ships and shipping and of course all sizes of boats.

Cheers

Dave Wooley
16 November 2014 at 15:35 #53657
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Hi Dave,

Thanks for 'dropping in'

The transformation at Salford Quays has been quite interesting. The former dockland is now home to a shopping mall, Media City (BBC & ITV), waterside high rise flats, a water sports centre, deep water swimming, and many other uses. Higher up the canal towards Manchester, the Pomona docks remain in an undeveloped state and can be seen when travelling on the Metrolink.

I think you can tell by the tone in my post(s) that we really enjoyed the ship canal day out. It was well organised and very good value, even the beverages and snacks on board were at a reasonable cost. Earlier this year (August) we were booked on the paddle steamer Waverley sailing from Liverpool to Puffin Island, however the trip was cancelled due to the high winds. Next year we plan to repeat the Mersey Ferry's ship canal cruise for the earlier reasons.

Tony.
21 November 2014 at 15:42 #53757
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
A strange workboat in the Quays with a Hiab on board, anyone got any ideas as to what it is?

Another couple of shots of the earlier pleasure craft.
21 November 2014 at 16:31 #53759
David Wooley
Participant
@davidwooley82563
Hi Tony looks like the strange boat could be for picking out flotsam from the dock or acting as a repair barge , only a guess. when do they run the water buses , is there a time table. Must come over to visit Salford Quays and take in the Imperial War Museum North .

Dave Wooley
21 November 2014 at 19:42 #53764
mike farrell
Participant
@mikefarrell21522
Hi Tony I think it may be a dredger as used on the old waterways I remember seeing them clearing the cuts . On this waterway maybe just clearing berthing ways Michael
21 November 2014 at 20:14 #53765
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hi Tony

One of these excavator barges was working near Latchford Locks a couple of weeks ago repairing the canal bank.

I saw it a couple of times as we drove over Knutsford Rd swing bridge on one of our trips to the hospital.

Paul
21 November 2014 at 22:25 #53767
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Thanks for calling in and posting,

Paul, I think you have confirmed Mike's thoughts, hope the hospital trip went ok.

Mike, couldn't help but read you are thinking of photographing and posting shots around Grimsby, sounds interesting, haven't been up to that part of the country for a good few years, used to enjoy caravan breaks at Cleethorpes, the shipping is well worth watching and photographing. Sadly the one which would really be of interest, the paddle steamer Lincoln Castle was scrapped a few years ago.

Dave, found this on those two river cruise boats, the white and glass boat is the Princess Katherine –

**LINK**

and the red and white craft is HMS69 –

**LINK**

Interestingly on the website HSM69 are advertising for a skipper and staff – anyone for coming out of retirement?

A couple of years ago I went to an exhibition at the IWM North, it was ok, but I found the Merseyside Maritime Museum more interesting. Sometimes it is worth looking at different places though.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 21/11/2014 22:25:53
21 November 2014 at 22:29 #53768
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
When I did the trip I had been told to look out for the concrete barges just after the m6 bridge, starboard side travelling to Manchester, you have about 5 seconds to try to get a picture, these are Google Ariel shots. I believe the barges are the same/similar to the one at the Boat Museum.
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