The Barton Swing Aqueduct in Eccles, Greater Manchester, is a marvel of Victorian engineering and a testament to the ingenuity of its time. This unique structure, the world's first and only swing aqueduct, carries the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal, allowing both large and small vessels to navigate these waterways seamlessly.
The Barton Swing Aqueduct is a replacement for the original Barton Aqueduct, a masonry structure built in 1761 to cross the River Irwell. The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in the 1890s necessitated a new solution, as the height of ships using the canal was too great to pass under the old aqueduct. The new aqueduct, designed by Sir Edward Leader Williams and built by Andrew Handyside and Company of Derby, opened to commercial traffic on January 1, 1894.
The aqueduct's construction was a significant feat, requiring the temporary diversion of the River Irwell and the demolition of a Roman Catholic school on the south bank of the ship canal. The first barge crossed the new aqueduct on August 21, 1893, marking the beginning of its operational life.
The Barton Swing Aqueduct is a swing bridge, a type of movable bridge that pivots to allow vessels to pass. The 1,450-tonne iron trough, which is 330 feet long, rotates 90 degrees on a central pivot mounted on a purpose-built island. Gates at each end of the trough retain around 800 tonnes of water, ensuring that the aqueduct remains navigable even when it swings open. Additional gates on each bank retain water in their adjacent stretches of canal.
The aqueduct originally featured a suspended towpath along its length, about 9 feet above the water level of the Bridgewater Canal, but this has since been removed. The structure is adjacent to the Barton Road Swing Bridge, and both are operated from a brick control tower on the central island. To avoid collisions, the aqueduct is opened half an hour before traffic on the Manchester Ship Canal is scheduled to pass.
Scavenger hunts in Eccles
Discover Eccles with the digital Scavenger Hunt from myCityHunt! Solve puzzles, master team tasks and explore Eccles with your team!
The aqueduct's turning mechanism is a marvel of engineering. It consists of a 27-foot race plate embedded in granite blocks, with sixty-four tapered cast iron rollers sitting on top. These rollers are held in position by a spider ring, and an upper race plate supports the aqueduct and its circular gear rack. The gear rack was originally powered by a hydraulic engine manufactured by Sir W. G. Armstrong Mitchell of Newcastle.
To reduce the pressure on the turning mechanism, a hydraulic press was installed in the pivot, taking up to half the weight when water was admitted to the press. This system was so successful that Leader Williams retrofitted it to several road swing bridges being built over the Ship Canal.
However, the weight of the structure pushed the design to its limits. By 1927, the iron rollers had deformed, causing the structure to drop by 3.5 inches. In 1928, the iron rollers were replaced with steel, and since then, the bridge has only dropped by 2.4 mm. The hydraulic press assistance was dispensed with once the iron rollers were replaced.
Originally, hydraulic power was supplied by steam from two Lancashire boilers housed in a pumping station on the Eccles bank of the ship canal. A service culvert beneath the canal bed conveyed the water under pressure to the control tower on the island. In 1939, the original hydraulic engines were replaced by a pair of radial three-cylinder engines manufactured by the Hydraulic Engineering Company of Chester. The following year, a power house was built on the island to house two electrically driven pumps, and the old steam pumping station was demolished after World War II.
Today, the Barton Swing Aqueduct remains in regular use, a vital link in the region's canal network and a fascinating piece of industrial heritage. Visitors can marvel at the engineering prowess on display and imagine the challenges faced by the Victorian engineers who brought this remarkable structure to life.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, an engineering buff, or simply looking for a unique experience, the Barton Swing Aqueduct offers a glimpse into a bygone era of innovation and industrial might. Its enduring presence is a testament to the vision and skill of those who designed and built it, and it continues to play a crucial role in the waterways of Greater Manchester.
Get your Tickets now!
With myCityHunt you can discover thousands of cities around the world in exciting scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and escape games!
myCityHunt vouchers are the perfect gift for many occasions! Surprise your friends and family with this extraordinary event gift. myCityHunt gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase and can be used within this period for a freely selectable city and tour from the myCityHunt portfolio.