The world’s first and only swing aqueduct—a rotating water-filled bridge that carries the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal. The aqueduct is essentially a giant pivoting tank of water. When a tall ship needs to pass along the Manchester Ship Canal, the aqueduct swings aside on a central pivot. At the same time, a swing road bridge next to it also rotates. This allows large vessels to pass beneath where the canal normally is. Once the ship passes, the aqueduct swings back to reconnect the Bridgewater Canal so boats can resume travel. Built in 1893 by Sir Edward leader Williams

Interesting information on the Bridgewater canal Opened in 1761. Commonly viewed as the first modern canal built without following a natural river. Engineered by James Brindley for the Duke of Bridgewater. It revolutionized transport by dramatically reducing the cost of moving coal from Worsley to Manchester. Coal prices reportedly dropped by half, which helped power the Industrial Revolution. I grew up in the cottages on Worsley mines.