| "On Wednesday last, the part of the Leeds canal between
Liverpool and Wigan was opened with great festivity and rejoicings. The water had
been let into the basin the evening before. At nine, the proprietors sailed up the
canal on their barge, preceded by another filled with music with flying colours etc. and
returned about one. They were saluted by two Royal Salutes of twenty-one guns each
besides the swivels on board the boats and welcomed with the repeated shouts of the
numerous crowds assembled on the banks who made a most cheerful and agreeable sight.
The gentlemen then adjourned to a tent where a cold collation was provided for them
and their friends. From thence they went in procession to George's Coffee House
where an elegant dinner was provided. The workmen 215 in number walked first with
their tools on their shoulders and cockades in their hats and were afterwards plentifully
regaled of a dinner provided for them. The bells rang all day and the greatest joy
and order prevailed on the occasion." from the "Leeds
Intelligencer", 8th October 1774
quoted in "The Orrell Coalfield, Lancashire 1740-1850" by D. Anderson, Moorland
Publishing Company. |