Manchester Ship Canal

The Manchester Ship Canal is a 36-mile waterway in northwest England, built to connect the cities of Manchester and Salford directly to the sea. Completed in 1894, it allowed large ocean-going ships to bypass the River Mersey and access Manchester's industrial heart, significantly boosting trade and the local economy. The canal played a crucial role in Manchester's development during the Industrial Revolution, enabling the transport of raw materials and finished goods. Today, it serves both commercial and recreational purposes, highlighting the importance of inland navigation in regional development.