algy Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 A 'German' Land Dredger starting to cut the canal at Latchford, The hedge of Ackers Lane can be seen running left to right across the photo. This massive machine travelled along the two outside lines while filling a railway wagon on normal gauge railway lines which when full would be removed by a steam locomotive and be replaced by an empty wagon, an early automated process, not bad for the 1890's. A 'German Land Dredger minus it's protective shelter in the final stage of it's construction. These machines would remove far more earth than the navvies could remove, but of no use in heavy rock or sandstone. The business end. The 'Black Gang', oilers & greasers posing for a group photo by a "Wells Light" (see next photo). The young chap second from the left appears to have his 'Albert' watch chain fastened into his waistcoat but more than likely it would be fastened to a whistle and he was the 'look out' lad when they were lubricating railway line points, (just my idea and I may be totally incorrect). The navvies working on the Manchester Ship Canal needed lighting to allow them to work outside of daylight hours. One type of lighting used was the 'Wells' lamp, pictured here. These lights were pneumatic oil lamps. A small hand compressor was used to maintain the pressure in the lamp, which was operated by an attendant. They made all-night excavations possible. This photo was probably taken after the completion of the canal and features a gang of coal wagon loaders or unloaders. A Horse Mill at Ellesmere Port. Although the Manchester Ship Canal used the latest methods in mechanical excavation this did not mean that the horse had been entirely abandoned, as can be seen in this picture . A Hospital for Ship Canal workers between the Canal and Barton. Navvies Huts at Marshville Frodsham Marshes. Irlam New Station, built when the railway was deviated for the canal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Absolutely amazing and that land dredger is rather good. Clever Germans eh ? You should write a book Algy as your descriptions and knowledge about what's in the photo's (and past ones you have shared with us too) is excellent and all very interesting indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted January 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Absolutely amazing and that land dredger is rather good. Clever Germans eh ? You should write a book Algy as your descriptions and knowledge about what's in the photo's (and past ones you have shared with us too) is excellent and all very interesting indeed. Got be good at something Dizz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stallard12 Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 I would guess that fortunes were made in the cap industry in those days. Imagine going to work to dig a ditch in a bowler hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks for sharing Algy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted January 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Your welcome Peter and thank you for your reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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