Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (1736–1803) is remembered in history as the visionary nobleman who commissioned the Bridgewater Canal, widely regarded as the first true, purpose-built canal in England. Known as the “Father of British Inland Navigation,” Egerton’s foresight and determination transformed transport, trade, and industry in the 18th century.
Born on 21st May 1736, Francis Egerton was the youngest son of Scroop Egerton, 1st Duke of Bridgewater. Following the death of his father in 1745 and his elder brother just three years later, he inherited the dukedom at the tender age of twelve.
Despite his youth, Egerton went on to play one of the most important roles in Britain’s Industrial Revolution, shaping the way goods and raw materials were transported across the country.
Francis Egerton recognised the urgent need for a faster, more cost-effective way to transport coal from his mines at Worsley to the growing industrial hub of Manchester. At the time, the alternatives—roads and river navigation—were slow, unreliable, and expensive.
Determined to revolutionise transport, Egerton worked with his estate manager John Gilbert, and later consulted the engineer James Brindley, who became one of the most celebrated names in canal engineering.
Planning and Parliamentary Approval
In 1759, Egerton and Gilbert secured an Act of Parliament to allow construction of the canal. Brindley was then brought in to survey the proposed route. Within six days, he suggested a new alignment that would bypass Salford and instead cross the River Irwell at Barton-upon-Irwell, heading directly into Manchester.
This bold new route not only reduced costs but also allowed future canal connections and increased competition with the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company. To make it possible, Brindley designed the Barton Aqueduct, a remarkable feat of engineering for its time.
In 1760, Egerton obtained a second Act of Parliament confirming the revised route, solidifying his plans to create a purpose-built canal for coal transport.
The Bridgewater Canal opened in 1761, connecting Worsley to Manchester. Its immediate success was extraordinary—coal prices in Manchester halved within a year thanks to cheaper transport.
The canal was later extended from Manchester to Runcorn and from Worsley to Leigh, cementing its importance as a major transport artery. Eventually, it connected to other vital waterways including the Trent and Mersey Canal and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, via the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Leigh Branch, creating a network that fuelled Britain’s canal age.
The total cost of construction was £168,000 (around £28 million in today’s money), but the returns were immense. The Duke’s wealth grew to over £2 million, making him one of the richest men in England.
Francis Egerton’s work laid the foundation for the canal boom that followed, inspiring a new era of civil engineering and shaping Britain’s transport system for over a century.
Though the direct link to the Manchester Ship Canal has since disappeared, plans exist to reconnect the route near Dukesfield, further preserving the Duke’s legacy.
Francis Egerton died on 8th March 1803, unmarried. With his death, the dukedom became extinct, while the earldom passed to his cousin, Lieutenant-General John Egerton.
Today, the Bridgewater Canal remains a living monument to his vision, celebrated as the first English purpose-built canal—a landmark achievement of both the Industrial Revolution and British engineering.
These engineers played a significant role in the development of the canal system in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Their innovations helped to transform transportation and infrastructure in the country.
