Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Wolverhampton canals celebrated through photographer's passion
Ian Hughes says he wants people to use the canal network more to explore its beauty and nature.
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Richard Dye
master brummie
That was very nicely done.Wolverhampton canals celebrated through photographer's passion
Ian Hughes says he wants people to use the canal network more to explore its beauty and nature.
paul stacey
master brummie
I remember visiting Tipton, in the 50's, and standing with my dad near the canal bridge, watching the barges and butties, coming by, with the ladies in headscarves, steering them and the men standing on the tarpaulin sheets on the butties with poles. There were many of them to going up and down. I remember the gaudy painted pieces on the barges, and the washing lines, full of clothes blowing along the barges deck. Seems an eternity now, but still very vivid, another world long gone, dad said they had their own language, that land people, could not understand!!!!
The picture top life showing Mr Humphries is also showing the infamous Bolinder Diesel Engine. I know them well, and you took your life into your own hands when starting a Bolinder Engine up.
Lloyd
master brummie
Aren't they the engines without gears, you run it backwardsfor reverse?
Yes, you advance the injection timing and with a bit (quite a lot) of luck it will kick into reverse.
DavidGrain
master brummie
This photo shows how many canal basins, arms etc there were in the area now covered by Centenary Square, Baskerville House, ICC and the Library
it certainly does david..i have always thought this photo is wonderful...thank goodness we have them
lyn
Below is a photo of vehicles assembled on Worcester Wharf. I am guessing that the photo may have been taken from about the position of the red arrow on the e1880s map, though the photo would seem to come from around the time of WW1. On two of the vehicles company names can be read .
On the horse drawn cart can be seen J.Graham & Sons No.8. This (from 1913 Kellys) would be Thomas James Graham & Sons, cement & plaster manufacturers, dealers in hair, lathes, whiting, salt bath bricks, hardeners' potting sands, glass sands etc, and hired sack contractors; Worcester Wharf, Bridge St.
On the nearest motor vehicle can be read Greave. this would be Greaves, Bull & Lakin Ltd, cement manufacturers, Worcester Wharf, Bridge St
On the horse drawn cart can be seen J.Graham & Sons No.8. This (from 1913 Kellys) would be Thomas James Graham & Sons, cement & plaster manufacturers, dealers in hair, lathes, whiting, salt bath bricks, hardeners' potting sands, glass sands etc, and hired sack contractors; Worcester Wharf, Bridge St.
On the nearest motor vehicle can be read Greave. this would be Greaves, Bull & Lakin Ltd, cement manufacturers, Worcester Wharf, Bridge St
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The picture appears on Flickr with the following description.
Worcester Wharf Birmingham 1920
This is a scene at Worcester Wharf in Birmingham. Worcester Wharf was of Bridge Street which is off Broad Street in central Birmingham, the wharf was part of the Gas Street basin complex but on the Suffolk Street side. The scene is a line up of vehicles but not I suspect a staged affair, the two vehicles in the middle OM 8088 and OM 8089 are the same make (Leyland) but both are work stained, the nearest has rather staid solid wheels the other more rakish spoked wheels, both lorries work for Greaves Portland Cement and the nearest carries the lettering T.J. Graham Alcester Wharf. The more distant lorry (OP 3175) is a Dennis. The horses and carts also belong to T.J.Graham and Sons.
The lettering Greaves Portland Cement is interesting in so much as there was a cement Works at Greaves Sidings on the main line between Leamington Spa and Banbury until the 1990's.
Copyright Unknown Geoff Dowling collection
Worcester Wharf Birmingham 1920
This is a scene at Worcester Wharf in Birmingham. Worcester Wharf was of Bridge Street which is off Broad Street in central Birmingham, the wharf was part of the Gas Street basin complex but on the Suffolk Street side. The scene is a line up of vehicles but not I suspect a staged affair, the two vehicles in the middle OM 8088 and OM 8089 are the same make (Leyland) but both are work stained, the nearest has rather staid solid wheels the other more rakish spoked wheels, both lorries work for Greaves Portland Cement and the nearest carries the lettering T.J. Graham Alcester Wharf. The more distant lorry (OP 3175) is a Dennis. The horses and carts also belong to T.J.Graham and Sons.
The lettering Greaves Portland Cement is interesting in so much as there was a cement Works at Greaves Sidings on the main line between Leamington Spa and Banbury until the 1990's.
Copyright Unknown Geoff Dowling collection
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
And in 1928 advert it shows TJ Graham and Sons, Worcester Wharf.
Radiorails
master brummie
Photo 3, as above post 1873, shews the laying of drainage/sewer I think. I though it might be laying a tramway but these seems to be a tram tack in existence and the excavation would appear somewhat deeper.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Going back to the beginning of Birmingham canals the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society say…
“Birmingham, already a considerable manufacturing centre, must have felt keenly the evils resulting from bad roads and the want of some better means of transport than the slow and uncertain waggons and pack-horses in use at the time. On January 26th, I767, a meeting of the inhabitants was convened by the Constables, Churchwardens, and Overseers for the purpose of considering a scheme for cutting a canal from Birmingham through the South Staffordshire coalfield to communicate with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The meeting unanimously decided to have a survey made, and Brindley was asked to undertake the work.
Brindley reported to a meeting held on the 4th June, 1767, and submitted alternative plans. The proposal adopted was one for a canal from a point near New Hall, over Birmingham Heath, by Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton Green, and Bilston, to join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Autherley, near Wolverhampton. There were to be two branches, one from Oldbury by Grits Green to Wednesbury Holloway, and the other from Toll End to Ocker Hill to communicate with the mines. A plan of this survey is preserved at the Canal Office.
The cost was originally estimated at £30,000, but an amended estimate of £50,000 was issued in July, and the actual cost of construction was about £70,000. Application was made to Parliament for the necessary powers and the Bill received the Royal Assent on the 26th July, 1768.”
“Birmingham, already a considerable manufacturing centre, must have felt keenly the evils resulting from bad roads and the want of some better means of transport than the slow and uncertain waggons and pack-horses in use at the time. On January 26th, I767, a meeting of the inhabitants was convened by the Constables, Churchwardens, and Overseers for the purpose of considering a scheme for cutting a canal from Birmingham through the South Staffordshire coalfield to communicate with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The meeting unanimously decided to have a survey made, and Brindley was asked to undertake the work.
Brindley reported to a meeting held on the 4th June, 1767, and submitted alternative plans. The proposal adopted was one for a canal from a point near New Hall, over Birmingham Heath, by Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton Green, and Bilston, to join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Autherley, near Wolverhampton. There were to be two branches, one from Oldbury by Grits Green to Wednesbury Holloway, and the other from Toll End to Ocker Hill to communicate with the mines. A plan of this survey is preserved at the Canal Office.
The cost was originally estimated at £30,000, but an amended estimate of £50,000 was issued in July, and the actual cost of construction was about £70,000. Application was made to Parliament for the necessary powers and the Bill received the Royal Assent on the 26th July, 1768.”
paul stacey
master brummie
Great piece of interesting history pedro, thanks for posting!!
Richard Dye
master brummie
What a massive undertaking it was back in 1767 to build these canals, without mechanization, all, for the most part manual labor. Certainly over 220 years ago this was at least equivalent to HS2.
paul stacey
master brummie
I had a mate who lived in Elderfield Road Kings Norton, back in 1960.!!
paul stacey
master brummie
Great sketch, of a long lost world, Pedro!!
Richard Dye
master brummie
That reminds me of some of Eric’s work! A beautiful scene and rendition.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The Birmingham Museum’s site has pictures, over two pages, of the interior of the Smethwick Pumping Station.
There was an open day a couple of weeks ago that I popped along to, to have a look around. The pump house has had some renovation work done which is a nice change. When I first saw it, the roof was off, and the chimney stack had been almost demolished.
Now run by a group of volunteers who do some sterling work. The pump engines are not original, just a similar configuration and possibly make, but bigger than the originals. I think the centrifugal pumps are too big for the Tangye steam engine, but that just me being nerdy. It gives a good idea of how things worked when operating.
There are also a couple of boilers and a few other bits of memorabilia, well worth popping in to see.
Now run by a group of volunteers who do some sterling work. The pump engines are not original, just a similar configuration and possibly make, but bigger than the originals. I think the centrifugal pumps are too big for the Tangye steam engine, but that just me being nerdy. It gives a good idea of how things worked when operating.
There are also a couple of boilers and a few other bits of memorabilia, well worth popping in to see.