Wigan Album

Re Fly Boats: I moved from the Wigan Area some years ago and now live a few minutes walk from the Shropshire Union Canal. I am told by my canal enthusiast friends that the Shropshire Union operated Fly Boats - these were fast boats for carrying both perishable goods and passengers. They were pulled by 2 horses, rather than one, which was more usual. These boats worked virtually non-stop, travelling through the night and stopping only to change horses at designated places. They had right of way over all other canal traffic and were equipped with sharp blades on their bows so they could cut through any "stray" mooring ropes attached to other boats that might be across the canal and blocking their way. I think that the Wigan Fly Boats were probably worked in the same way.