The Underground Incline
Coals were moved between levels using vertical shafts until 1797, when an underground canal inclined plane started in 1795 was completed. It was 453 feet (138 m) long and raised boats 106 feet 6 inches (32.46 m) . There were two locks at the upper level from which two railway tracks descended to the lower main level. Boats entered the upper locks and were seated on wagons. The water was drained from the locks and the boats would descend the incline counterbalanced by a second empty boat ascending the parallel railway line. This incline worked until 1822 and the levels were used for coal transport until 1887, by which time the total length of navigable levels was 46 miles (74 km). The navigable levels continued to be used for drainage with regular inspections by boat until final closure in 1968. The Duke of Bridgewater's heir was Francis Egerton, 8th Earl of Bridgewater, who wrote a 47-page book on the subject of the underground canal entitled "Description du Plan Incliné Souterrain" in 1812 whilst resident in Paris, France.
Read more about this topic: Worsley Navigable Levels
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