The canal network helped Britain become the world’s leading industrial nation.
Canals were desperately needed. In the 18th century factories were producing huge amounts of goods. But getting them distributed, and getting raw materials in, especially heavy coal, was a real problem.
Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, was inspired by the Canal du Midi in France. With the help of his agent John Gilbert, and the engineer James Brindley, he built Britain’s first canal network to carry coal from mines to the emerging industrial heartlands of Manchester.
Built between 1759 and 1761, the Bridgewater Canal was an engineering masterpiece, cutting across rivers and countryside on elevated aqueducts.
Now coal could be transported much more cheaply. A canal barge carried 30 tonnes, pulled by one horse on the tow-path.
Building canals became all the rage and eventually over 2,000 miles of canal were built. The rivers Mersey, Trent, Severn and Thames were connected and helped to open up England.
