Written by one of the consultant engineers closely associated with the restoration of it, this is the first detailed history of the Anderton Boat Lift and, as such, will no doubt be welcomed by civil engineers, transport historians and industrial archaeologists the world over. It is profusely illustrated with over 250 maps, plans and photographs, all of which bear testament to one of the great marvels of 19th century British invention and expertise.
'. . . a truly superb book; one of the best that I have seen for a long time.' Hugh Potter, Waterways World

The original hydraulic boat lift of 1875, designed by Edwin Clark under the auspices of Edward Leader Williams ( Engineer to the Weaver Navigation Trust), is covered in detail, including its operation. There is a comprehensive chapter, with extensive picture coverage, of the conversion of the lift to electrical operation in 1906-8. The massive new superstructure was actually built over the original lift and with only three short stoppages to traffic - a triumph of Edwardian ingenuity, the like of which, even today, engineers would be justifiably proud. Subsequent chapters examine the operation of this structure, concluding with the lift's final working years and the plans for its future. In between there is a brief interlude, a trip up the lift in 1959 in the company of photographer Norman Jones FSCA, presenting some of the finest pictures ever taken of it in use.

Five similar boat lifts were built in Belgium and France to Clark's designs, all of which survive. These are briefly examined, as are some of the alternative ways considered by the Trustees of raising boats from one level to another, such as inclines and planes as found at Trench, on the Shrewsbury Canal, and Foxton on the Grand Union. The book finishes with a glimpse of the planned lift at Falkirk in Scotland. With material from such sources as the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port, the National Waterways Museum at Gloucester and the Salt Museum at Northwich, as well as numerous private collections and with the full co-operation of British Waterways, this is a timely and comprehensive study of one of our finest and most famous industrial monuments.

The Anderton Boat Lift
Price: £19.95p