Photo-a-Day (Wednesday, 19th February, 2020)
Old and New Numbers
Photo: Mick Byrne (Panasonic DMC-TZ100)
True test of time. Cast number broke not a mark on the stone
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.
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
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.
87 Could be the bridge number.
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.
Thanks Rev you have taught me something, and will be passing that information on every time I see someone around the locks.
Mick..."Romans" counting the locks?
Well, Lynne - they did build our first canals, though they had no hand in the L&L.
A bit of a time-gap between the Roman canals and the Leeds/Liverpool, David!