Written by one of the consultant
engineers closely associated with the restoration of it, this is
the first detailed history of the Anderton Boat Lift and, as such,
will no doubt be welcomed by civil engineers, transport historians
and industrial archaeologists the world over. It is profusely illustrated
with over 250 maps, plans and photographs, all of which bear testament
to one of the great marvels of 19th century British invention and
expertise.
'. . . a truly superb book; one of the best that I have seen
for a long time.' Hugh Potter, Waterways World
The original hydraulic boat lift of 1875, designed by Edwin Clark
under the auspices of Edward Leader Williams ( Engineer to the Weaver
Navigation Trust), is covered in detail, including its operation.
There is a comprehensive chapter, with extensive picture coverage,
of the conversion of the lift to electrical operation in 1906-8.
The massive new superstructure was actually built over the original
lift and with only three short stoppages to traffic - a triumph
of Edwardian ingenuity, the like of which, even today, engineers
would be justifiably proud. Subsequent chapters examine the operation
of this structure, concluding with the lift's final working years
and the plans for its future. In between there is a brief interlude,
a trip up the lift in 1959 in the company of photographer Norman
Jones FSCA, presenting some of the finest pictures ever taken of
it in use.
Five similar boat lifts were built in Belgium and France to Clark's
designs, all of which survive. These are briefly examined, as are
some of the alternative ways considered by the Trustees of raising
boats from one level to another, such as inclines and planes as
found at Trench, on the Shrewsbury Canal, and Foxton on the Grand
Union. The book finishes with a glimpse of the planned lift at Falkirk
in Scotland. With material from such sources as the Boat Museum,
Ellesmere Port, the National Waterways Museum at Gloucester and
the Salt Museum at Northwich, as well as numerous private collections
and with the full co-operation of British Waterways, this is a timely
and comprehensive study of one of our finest and most famous industrial
monuments. |