Bridgewater Canal
circa 1922
This striking photograph captures a quiet industrial moment on the Bridgewater Canal near Broadheath, a district known in the early 20th century for its vital role in northwest England's manufacturing boom.
In the foreground, a horse-drawn barge glides silently along the water, guided by a canal man and his loyal dog. This method of transporting goods — using towpaths and heavy draft horses — was still common in the 1920s, although slowly being replaced by motorized transport.
Dominating the skyline is the unmistakable chimney of the Linotype Works, a landmark of Broadheath’s industrial past. The Linotype and Machinery Company was a global producer of typesetting machinery and a major local employer, with its presence defining the town’s identity and economy.
Historical context:
The Bridgewater Canal, completed in 1761, is often credited as the first true canal in England. By the 1920s, although its golden age had passed, it still played a key role in transporting coal and industrial goods across the region.
This image is not only a testament to the era’s working-class life and ingenuity but also a poignant glimpse into a transitional period, just before the final decline of horse-drawn canal transport.
Do you have old photos of industrial Broadheath or the Bridgewater Canal?
Share them on Oldpik.com and help preserve the working-class heritage of Britain’s waterways.
SEO Tags:
Bridgewater Canal 1922, Broadheath canal photo, Linotype works chimney, horse-drawn barge England, industrial Trafford history, Bridgewater Canal old image, canal transport UK 1920s, historic canals Cheshire, Oldpik British industrial photos
In the foreground, a horse-drawn barge glides silently along the water, guided by a canal man and his loyal dog. This method of transporting goods — using towpaths and heavy draft horses — was still common in the 1920s, although slowly being replaced by motorized transport.
Dominating the skyline is the unmistakable chimney of the Linotype Works, a landmark of Broadheath’s industrial past. The Linotype and Machinery Company was a global producer of typesetting machinery and a major local employer, with its presence defining the town’s identity and economy.
Historical context:
The Bridgewater Canal, completed in 1761, is often credited as the first true canal in England. By the 1920s, although its golden age had passed, it still played a key role in transporting coal and industrial goods across the region.
This image is not only a testament to the era’s working-class life and ingenuity but also a poignant glimpse into a transitional period, just before the final decline of horse-drawn canal transport.
Do you have old photos of industrial Broadheath or the Bridgewater Canal?
Share them on Oldpik.com and help preserve the working-class heritage of Britain’s waterways.
SEO Tags:
Bridgewater Canal 1922, Broadheath canal photo, Linotype works chimney, horse-drawn barge England, industrial Trafford history, Bridgewater Canal old image, canal transport UK 1920s, historic canals Cheshire, Oldpik British industrial photos
Adult
Animal
Architecture
Boat
Building
Canal
Canine
City
Dog
Factory
Harbor
Horse
Male
Mammal
Man
Outdoors
Path
Person
Pet
Pier
Towpath
Transportation
Vehicle
Water
Waterfront
Contributed by JOSE M LOPEZ on March 22, 2025
Image
You must be logged in to comment on the photos.
Log in
Log in
No comment yet, be the first to comment...