Fletcher's Canal

Infobox Canal
name = Fletcher's Canal

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caption = Fletcher's Canal showing Clifton Viaduct in the distance. Pilkington's factory is on the right.
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engineer = Matthew Fletcher
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date_act =
date_const =
date_use =
date_comp = 1800
date_ext =
date_closed = 1952
date_rest =
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beam =
beam_in =
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start =
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end =
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branch =
branch_of = Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal
join =
locks = 2
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elev =
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status = Closed
nav =

Fletcher's Canal was a 1.5 mile long canal that connected the Wet Earth Colliery at Clifton, Greater Manchester to the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, at a junction immediately south of Clifton Aqueduct. The canal is no longer used.

The canal ran west, along the south bank of the River Irwell and through the area now known as Clifton Country Park. Long sections of the canal are still evident west of Pilkington's Factory, although none of these sections hold water. As the canal runs through Clifton Country Park, a path for walkers is maintained along the former towpath up to the end of the canal. Some of the original features are still evident, albeit in extremely poor condition.

History

Between 1752 and 1756, James Brindley devised a method of pumping water from the nearby Wet Earth Colliery using power harnessed from the River Irwell via a water wheel.

Around 1790 to 1791 Matthew Fletcher began widening some of the original Brindley water channels to create a new canal, latterly known as Fletcher's Canal. In 1799 Benjamin Outram installed a second lock along the canal, to avoid taking too much water. The canal construction was completed and navigable by 1800.

In 1867 the original Brindley water wheel was decommissioned and replaced with a water turbine. This was replaced by a steam pump in 1924. Wet Earth Colliery was closed in 1924, and in 1952 the canal was closed and abandoned.

ee also

*Canals of Great Britain
*History of the British canal system
*Wet Earth Colliery
*Pilkington Lancastrian Pottery

References

Bibliography

External links

* [http://imr-scenery.fotopic.net/c1059593.html Images of Fletcher's Canal]
* [http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/ Manchester Bolton and Bury canal society]
* [http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/index.htm Pennine Waterways - Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal]
* [http://www.mbbcanal.demon.co.uk/ Manchester Bury and Bolton canal non-official website]
* [http://www.wrgnw.org.uk/ Waterway recovery group website]
* [http://www.d.lane.btinternet.co.uk/wetintro.html Dave Lane home page, includes information about Fletcher's Canal]