FROM THE VIDEO ARCHIVES: THE DELPH AT WORSLEY (PART 1)

The NCB footage, unseen for years, shows inspection engineers sailing underground in a starvationer boat from Walkden colliery to emerge at The Delph, Worsley. 

Glen tells the story of the 50 miles of underground canals, and how containerisation was introduced by the Duke of Bridgewater in the mining of coal, and how it is possible to sail from Walkden to America without getting out of a boat, incredible but true. 

Glen was also lucky enough to sail along these underground canals, several years ago and describes the blackness in the tunnels and how the brickwork arches built all those years ago are still standing as testimony to John Gilberts tradesmen. 

Personally I think this is perhaps the best local history video that we have put on SalfordOnline, Glen is a wonderful speaker but the NCB footage is truly amazing as I'm sure you will agree.

by Tony Flynn and Young Tom Rodgers 
Edited by Mike Heap 

This article is part one of two which appeared on SalfordOnline in the month of October 2010, it is lovingly republished here courtesy of the Duke of the Bridgewater (and other pubs), Mr Tony Flynn with help from Young Tom Rodgers, it was edited by Mike Heap