It's All Water Under the Bridge
The Barton Swing Aqueduct
Still in operating on a daily basis, the Barton Swing Aqueduct allows the passage of ships along the Manchester Ship Canal.
The original aqueduct
Built in 1761 by the self taught engineer James Brindley, the original Barton aqueduct was constructed to carry the Duke of Bridgewater's canal across the River Irwell.
The original aqueduct was demolished when it was decided the Manchester Ship canal was to use the course of the Irwell at Barton, Eccles, as part of its navigation channel.
The Swing Aqueduct
Designed by the engineer Edward Leader Williams, the Swing Aqueduct was officially opened 1893. The structure can hold, when full, 800 tonnes of water giving a gross weight of 1450 tonnes. When in operation, the aqueduct swings open, full of water, to allow the passage of ships along the Manchester Ship Canal.
As the tank is swung full of water it is sealed at both ends with hydraulically operated gates. The ends of the Bridgewater Canal are sealed in a similar manner.
Submitted by: Iain Patterson, 10 March 2003
