Inland Waterways Protection Society
New Crane Post at Bugsworth Basin
By
Jul 4, 2007, 13:16

The New Crane Post in Situ

The centre post of the cantilever crane at Bugsworth Basin has now been replaced.

Severe rot around the base of the post had caused it to become unsafe so the IWPS secured an Awards for All Grant to replace the timber.

The post formerly supported a crane used for loading stone brought down the Peak Forest Tramway from Crist and Barren Clough quarries onto narrowboats. During the working life of the quarries (1796 to 1924) many thousands of tons of setts, flagstones and building stone were loaded at Bugsworth and transported by canal to the rapidly expanding industrial areas of the North West and beyond.

Originally thought to be made from elm, after removal, the timber post was found to be oak. The post was removed, the new one made from larch, the original ironwork refurbished, and erected by the Rochdale Canal Workshop of Calderdale Council.

The interpretive plaque was supplied by Leander Architectural, Dove Holes, Derbyshire.

A 4” slice of the old oak post can now be seen in the free exhibition at Bugsworth Basin.

To learn more about the restoration work at Bugsworth Basin visit www.brocross.com/iwps/.