Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgwater, patron of James Brindley

Brindley's connection with Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgwater

During 1758 Brindley was engaged on pump work for the Earl Gower at Trentham, whose agent Thomas Gilbert had a brother John in a similar position with Francis, Duke of Bridgwater. The Duke wanted to develop the vast reserves of coal beneath his Worsley estates, while the growth of Manchester, only ten miles away, was hampered by the high costs and scarcity of coal.

The Duke had been very impressed by canals he had seen in France and Italy. He would also have noted the success of another recently completed canal ensuring Liverpool's coal supplies. He therefore discussed with John Gilbert the possibility of using water to carry his coal to Manchester.

Gilbert was trained as an engineer and worked out a possible scheme, suggesting that Brindley's greater knowledge of water would make his advice valuable. Thomas Gilbert agreed and Brindley was sent for. Subsequently he and his men did
valuable work for the Duke.

The most widely renowned of Brindley's work in his lifetime was the Barton Aqueduct, which carried the Duke's canal 39 feet (12 metres) in the air for 200 yards (83 metres) over the River Irwell. A fellow engineer commented on the plan: "I have often heard of castles in the air, but never before saw where one was to be erected".

The aqueduct was a great tourist attraction, and served its purpose well until 1894 when it was demolished to make way for the Manchester Ship Canal.

contemporary portrait of the Duke of Bridgwater

Portrait of the young Duke:
contemporary engraved illustration

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