Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/471



Commencing on the west side of the town of Manchester, at 93¼ feet above the level of the sea, the Irwell takes a very sinuous course to the west, passing Chat Moss and uniting with the Mersey after having left Flixton House to the east; from their junction the united rivers continue their progress towards Liverpool, making many turnings in their course to Warrington, at a short distance from which town a navigable cut called the Mersey and Irwell Canal opening from the rivers takes a course nearly south for a short distance, then turning to the south and again to the south-east and passing Norton Priory, it enters the estuary of the Mersey at Runcorn Gap. From Warrington the united rivers make a great detour to the south and back again northward, after which they open into the estuary before-mentioned near Sankey Bridge. Owing to the very winding course of the rivers, the length of this navigation may be reckoned fifty miles, but the distance is in many places shortened by side-cuts across the loops or bends. The elevation is not great, the whole rise being only 70 feet. The various canals and navigations connected with the Mersey and Irwell, or so near as to make a communication extremely easy, render this an undertaking of vast importance and utility.

The navigation, for which the acts quoted were obtained, has been one of very great cost to the proprietors; in many instances, as will be seen on the map, cuts of considerable dimensions have been made to shorten the winding course of the river; the want of water, also, which was severely felt in dry seasons, has been another source of expense to the undertakers; they have however conducted the work with great spirit and perseverance; and when their expensive works near Runcorn Gap are completed, this navigation will be one of the first importance.

MONKLAND CANAL.
10 George III. Cap. 105, Royal Assent 12th April, 1770.

THE act for executing this work was obtained so long back as the year 1770, under the title of 'An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Cut or Canal and Waggon Way, from the