Boats, Smoke, Steam and Folks: Exploring the Canals of the Midlands

Narrow boats, coal, steam engines, tunnels, locks, bridges, aqueducts and the lives of thousands of men, women and children came to be wrapped up in the late eighteenth century with what was a whole new transport system. Over a period of fifty or so years a network of canals and inland waterways connected Britain's major towns and industrial centres. In the grand scheme of things, two hundred years is a relatively short period of time. But yet, within this timeframe, an amazing form of transport was developed, grew to a prosperous zenith, went into decline, virtually disappeared and is now being resurrected. Exploring the canals of the Midlands, this book, with maps and detailed walks, will encourage the reader to move from his armchair and into this living piece of history. It also answers some of the many questions asked today about our canal network: Who did all the work; when and why were they built; what was it like to work on canals, either repairing them or moving goods about. Also included are interviews and memories of those who worked on the canals, albeit in the twilight years of the fifties and sixties when road transport was taking over the role of moving bulky loads around the country.

Author: Robert Davies
Publisher: Tempus
Extra Details: Pictorial Card Covers 7 x 10 inches tall,128 Pages,Lavishly illustrated with B&W photos,artworks and maps throughout.