Canal Breach 1958

CANAL BREACH IN CHURCH MINSHULL OCTOBER 12th 1958
by Sue Russell
On Sunday October 12 1958 a major breach occurred on the Middlewich Branch Canal between bridges 12 and 13 -- at the site locally known as the viewpoint overlooking Church Minshull. At that time it was the largest known canal breach in the UK.
Over a three hour period five miles of water -- 2,600,000 gallons -- drained into the field and the River Weaver below. Until it was repaired in order to travel between Nantwich and Middlewich -- 13 miles -- all commercial traffic had to detour via the Trent & Mersey, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and the Shropshire Union canals -- 88 miles.

 Photos courtesy of Brian Charlesworth