SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL SOCIETY

In association with

BRITISH WATERWAYS & WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PROGRAMMING THE CELEBRATIONS FOR THE BI-CENTENERY OF THE

PONTCYSYLLTE  AQUEDUCT

1805 - 2005

Which will take place during the 2005 season

Ending on the 26th November 2005 with a

RE-ENACTMENT OF THE OPENING AT TREVOR.

Details of events will be available on our websites as they

become available

www.shropshireunioncanal.org.uk

www.waterscape.com

The aqueduct at Pontcysyllte is an astonishing feat of engineering, carrying the Ellesmewre Canal across the valley of the River Dee at a height of 126 feet. William Jessop was the principal engineer, assisted by Thomas Telford among others. The aqueduct comprises nineteen arches, each with a span of 45 feet.

The masonry piers are hollow at (he top to save weight, and support a cast iron trough bedded into the puddle clay lining of the canal at either end.

All the materials were sourced locally- The piers are cut from Cefn sandstone from the Rhosmedre quarries near Wrexham, and the ironwork was cast at the Plas Kynaston foundries near the north end of the aqueduct The mortar for the stonework joints was a mixture of water, lime and oxblood, and the flanges of the cast iron sections were sealed with Welsh flannel which had been coated in white lead.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was officially opened on 26th November 1805 to the sound of gunfire from two brass field cannons, taken at Seringatapam and presented to the artillery company of the Shropshire volunteers by The Earl of Powis.

In the spirit of the age, much was made of the triumph of man over nature and Britain's supremacy:

Here conquer'd Nature owns Britannia'a sway,

While Ocean's realms her matchless deeds display.

Success to the iron trade of Great Britain,

Of which Pontcysyllte aqueduct is a specimen.