Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Anderton Boat Lift
Hob Uid: 72982
Location : Cheshire West and Chester Anderton with Marbury
Grid Ref : SJ6471075220
Summary : The Anderton Boat Lift transfers canal boats between the Weaver Navigation and the Trent and Mersey Canal through a 50' 4" difference in water level. At the top level the lift is linked to the canal by means of a 162 foot long aqueduct which has twin channels. The lift was originally operated by water pressure; the two caissons were supported on 3 feet diameter rams working in the cylinders of the hydraulic presses, which were linked through valves. The caissons were of wrought iron, being 75 feet long and 16 feet and 6 inches wide, with gates at each end. By 1904 the lift, which was opened in 1875, needed overhauling and the main rams required renewing. It was therefore converted to a counterbalance structure driven by electric motors, with the caissons suspended from wire ropes carrying cast-iron weights, some 252 tons to each caisson. The lift, which is constructed of wrought and cast iron, was designed by Sir Edward Leader Williams, Edwin Clark and J W Sanderson, and was the forerunner of several similar lifts constructed in Europe.
More information : (SJ 64717522) Anderton Boat Lift (NAT) (1) Anderton Lift. A massive lift (see illustration) constructed to lift canal boats 50 ft from the Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey canal, as an alternative to a series of locks. It was hydraulically operated when opened in 1875, but when reopened in 1907 following repairs, it had been converted to electric power. It is still in operation. (2) Archaeological and architectural survey of Anderton Basin. (3) Recorded by the National Record for Industrial Monuments Survey. (4)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 1:2500 1971
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Page(s) : 21
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Plates : 6B
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Collens J and Penney S. 1989. Anderton Basin: An Archaeological Survey
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Source Number : 4
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Page(s) : 280-81
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Recorded by JGB Hills, 08-Jun-1963, Record No.CH2
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Opened in 1875
Monument End Date : 1875
Monument Start Date : 1875
Monument Type : Canal Lift
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Refurbished in 1904
Monument End Date : 1904
Monument Start Date : 1904
Monument Type : Canal Lift
Evidence : Structure

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 105766
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : CH 93
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR/21567/05
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 34991
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SJ 67 NW 7
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 1960-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1980-01-01
End Date : 1989-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1989-01-01
End Date : 1989-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-11-14
End Date : 1995-11-14

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2000-01-01
End Date : 2000-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Anderton Boat Lift