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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 19th February, 2020)

Old and New Numbers


Old and New Numbers
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Photo: Mick Byrne  (Panasonic DMC-TZ100)
Views: 2,183

Comment by: PeterP on 19th February 2020 at 07:16

True test of time. Cast number broke not a mark on the stone

Comment by: Poet on 19th February 2020 at 08:27

You had me baffled for a bit there Mick with the different numbers, until I realised 23 refers to the Lock number.
A John Rennie job. 1812 or MDCCCX11 if you like.

Comment by: Mick on 19th February 2020 at 08:29

Very observant PeterP and very true.
The Romans must have started counting the locks from the opposite end because they had it down as the 23rd and the more modern metal plate says its the 87th

Comment by: Philip G. on 19th February 2020 at 12:13

The book says it's 'crandalled' stone work, Mick. And doesn't its effect give the craftsman's dateline a little more 'say' when they're seen close together. I also like how the eager balloon (Help!) is anchored by a single dot immediately after the letter 'N'. Thanks.

Comment by: tuddy on 19th February 2020 at 13:38

87 Could be the bridge number.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 19th February 2020 at 14:10

PeterP - the cast plate was probably broken by someone trying to prise it off to steal it. Mick - two different things are being counted - 87 is indeed the number of locks from Leeds, but 23 is the number from the top of the Wigan Flight. There are only 8 locks between this one and Liverpool Docks - so, if they had been counting from there, we'd only be up to IX.

Comment by: Mick on 19th February 2020 at 16:17

Thanks Rev you have taught me something, and will be passing that information on every time I see someone around the locks.

Comment by: Lynne on 19th February 2020 at 16:35

Mick..."Romans" counting the locks?

Comment by: Rev David Long on 20th February 2020 at 11:23

Well, Lynne - they did build our first canals, though they had no hand in the L&L.

Comment by: Lynne on 20th February 2020 at 20:35

A bit of a time-gap between the Roman canals and the Leeds/Liverpool, David!

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