Sir Edward Leader Williams (28 April 1828 – 1 January 1910) was an English structural specialist, predominantly recognized as the originator of the Manchester Ship Canal, yet in addition intensely associated with other channel extends in north Cheshire.

Early life 

Williams was conceived in Worcester on 28 April 1828, the child of a structural specialist likewise named Edward (in charge of attempts to make the River Severn safe; additionally a sharp novice craftsman and companion of John Constable) and his Quaker spouse Sarah Whiting. His sibling Benjamin Williams Leader turned into a well known scene craftsman. The family inhabited Diglis House in Worcester (today the Diglis Hotel). 

Vocation 

In the wake of going to the Royal Grammar School Worcester Williams turned into an understudy to his dad. In 1856 he was picked out of 110 candidates to be boss specialist for the advancement of the safe northern segment of the River Weaver in Cheshire. He started to have practical experience in waterway development and in 1865 delivered plans for broadening the Weston Canal, a short stretch of trench connecting the stream close Frodsham to docks at Weston Point, Runcorn. 

On 1 September 1872, he joined the Bridgewater Navigation Company and chipped away at the Bridgewater Canal. 

Manchester Ship Canal 

In the wake of submitting recommendations in rivalry with another architect (Hamilton Fulton), Williams was then designated by Daniel Adamson in 1882 to structure another ship trench connecting Manchester with the Irish Sea. Williams ended up boss planner and boss specialist, helping the Manchester Ship Canal Company detail its proposition for the important Act of Parliament. From its underlying perusing in 1883, it took two years for the Bill to get Royal Assent, and a further two years previously the principal development work began, in November 1887. 

The trench opened in 1894, and has been portrayed as "an accomplishment unprecedented in present day history". As well as the waterway itself, significant designing tourist spots of the plan incorporated the Barton Swing Aqueduct (conveying the Bridgewater Canal over the Ship Canal) and a neighboring swing span for street activity at Barton. 

After the official opening of the Manchester Ship Canal on 21 May 1894, Edward Leader Williams of the Oaks, in the Parish of Dunham Massey, in the County Palatine of Chester was knighted by Queen Victoria on 2 July by Letters Patent.

Williams' different works incorporate the Anderton Boat Lift (1875) close Northwich in Cheshire, which interfaces the traversable stretch of the River Weaver with the Trent and Mersey Canal.


Edward Leader Williams