For a short period in 1900 there was even discussion of a ship canal.
The ship canal was opened throughout its length in 1894.
The ship canal talked about as a probability in 1850 had become a necessity by 1900.
The longest single span is the one of 336 feet crossing the ship canal.
The quality of water in the ship canal remains adversely affected by several factors.
Construction of the ship canal began in November 1877.
The ship canal took six years to complete at a cost of just over £15 million, equivalent to about £1.65 billion as of 2011.
Much of this land had originally been proposed for use as a ship canal and port facility.
Land for its graveyard given by the de Traffords is on the far side of the ship canal.
Freight is once again being carried on the Ship Canal.