The Derby Canal ran 14 miles from the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone to the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre, Derbyshire, England. The canal gained its Act of Parliament in 1793 and was fully completed in 1796. The rout included the second cast ironaqueduct built in the UK. The canal's main cargo was coal. In 1817 the link to the Trent and Mersey canal was closed due to it's lack of financial success. The reason for this failure was that the Trent and Mersey canal had been charging tolls at extortionate rates on boats using the link.
By the mid 19th century the canal was in trouble. Competition from the railways had resulted in several neighbouring canals being sold off which had in turn reduced the level of through traffic. However the canal company did continue. In 1908 the Little Eaton Branch closed. In 1964 the canal company gained permission to close the rest of the canal. Over the next 3 decades areas of the canal were built on while others were allowed to decay.
In 1994 the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Society was set up. Restoration began in earnest the following year and is now well underway.
EDWARD HENRY STANLEY, 15th earl of Derby (1826-1893), eldest son of the 14th earl, was educated at Rugby and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a high degree and became a member of the society known as the Apostles.
Lord Derby became a Liberal Unionist, and took an active part in the general management of that party, leading it in the House of Lords till 1891, when Lord Hartington became duke of Devonshire.
During a great part of Lord Derby's life he was deflected from his natural course by the accident of his position as the son of the leading Conservative statesman of the day.
I was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England and although I may not be that old I have witnessed a lot of changes to Derby over the years.
This Derby website is by no means a substitute for getting out of your chair and going to have a look at these places for your self, but if you would like to spend some time here then it will be time well spent.
Derby has changed considerably in the last few years, So if it has been some time since you visited or perhaps you now live in another country I recommend you have a look at my photographs.
Feeds |
Contact