Anderton Boat Lift - Anderton, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 16.410 W 002° 31.798
30U E 531343 N 5902799
This mural was commissioned in 2002 by the Anderton Boat Lift Trustees to celebrate the fact that the lift had been saved from demolition and restored to working order.
Waymark Code: WMVVHA
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/29/2017
Views: 1
The Boat Lift
he Anderton Boat Lift was built in 1875 to provide a link between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Weaver 50 feet below.
Both carried large volumes of goods, but trans shipment between the two using cranes and chutes was time consuming and expensive. The lift allowed boats to move between the canal and the river without having to unload.
The original design was hydraulically operated using water as its power, but over time became badly corroded. In 1908 it was converted to use electric motors and cables to lower and raise the boats.
During the 1950s and 1960s commercial traffic on British canals declined. By the 1970s the lift's traffic was almost entirely recreational and the lift was hardly used during winter months.
During repainting in 1983 extensive corrosion was found in the superstructure, and it was declared structurally unsound and closed.
By this time leisure boating had become extremely popular in the UK and so a campaign was started to repair the lift and bring it back into use. The campaign was successful and the lift was converted back to hydraulic operation but this time using oil rather than water.
It has become a popular facility and attraction not only for boaters, but also as a visitor attraction. Entrance to the site is free, but visitors can if they wish pay for a boat trip through the boat lift or just on the river.
The mural
The mural is in the grounds of the visitor centre in a small picnic area. There is a plaque next to the mural with the following information.
ANDERTON BOAT LIFT
THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN
This mural was commissioned by the Anderton Boat Lift Trustees as a tribute to all the
engineers and volunteers who were involved in the construction, conversion and
restoration of the lift between 1875 and 2002.
The central figures are Sir Edward Leader Williams (on the left) whose idea it was,
Edwin Clark (centre) who was responsible for its detail design and construction and
(to the right) Colonel Saner, General Manager of the River Weaver, who was responsible for
the major rebuild of the lift in 1908.
They are surrounded by enthusiast petitioning No 10 Downing Street for the restoration of
the lift and the original visitor centre, a container staffed by volunteers who raised funds
and shared their enthusiasm with others. Boats of River Weaver and narrow boats
which used the lift complete the mural.
The commissioning of this mural, from artist Diana Bernice Tackley
is the final act of the Anderton Boat Lift Trust.
The work of the Trust is now complete.
The Anderton Boat Lift Trustees gratefully acknowledge help and support from:
British Waterways
Trent and Mersey Canal Society
River Weaver Navigation Society
Broken Cross Boat Club
Inland waterways Association, Chester & District Branch
Inland Waterways Association, Hertfordshire Branch
Avon Resourcing
Brunner Mond
Frank Roberts & Sons, Bakers
Paint Specialist, ESP Marketing Ltd Sign UK Ltd Supply & Installation