A blast from the past at High Lane Arm, Macclesfield Canal

Saturday, 29 May 2010 09:10

How prices have changed!

The most unusual feature of the High Lane Arm are the "boat garages" or, more usually named, boathouses. There were boathouses on the arm as long ago as the 1900s but more have been built since.

It cost half a guinea (52.5p) per year to rent one of these from the Grand Central Railway, later the LNER, who owned the canal during the early days. The boathouses line the arm, almost from the entrance, with room for the boats to reverse out onto the mooring belonging to the boat house.

Boat houses, mainly occupied by cruisers

Narrowboats in boat houses at the end of the arm

The narrowboats have to be short to go in! However there are in-line moorings for other boats too, with room for longer narrowboats.

Those of you who saw the "tow truck" or tractor or tug in yesterday's blog and wondered what the make was I can enlighten you! It is a Reliance Mercury and the NCCC have three of them in various states of repair!

Reliance Mercury on the slipway, different view!

Reliance Mercury from front, click to enlarge to see name

These are the two not in use

If you would like to find our more about North Cheshire Cruising Club's "hideaway" and the history have a look here - clickety click