99. Visiting the Anderton Boat Lift on my narrowboat (Trent and Mersey canal / River Weaver)

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@_Sakidora_]

I have no idea why watching this man pottering about on his boat is so endlessly fascinating and so strangely relaxing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

This man is delighted that you do.

[@TWhitehead95]

@@CruisingTheCut The fact you continue to reply and read comments when you have so many views and on such old videos is honestly amazing

[@2683shaun]

@@TWhitehead95 same here. I have been watching all the videos throughout lockdowns. And definitely caught the bug. Maybe one day get afloat myself. Awesome work. With the information. Very informative. The camera work and production is on another level.

[@mariandavies9487]

The spirit of narrowboating has grabbed you! Add an enthusiastic narrowboater and you will have to give it a try.

[@contrafax]

Right? His narration is so soothing and at times funny.

[@boggoff69]

Tugging him off smut everywhere😁😁😁😁

[@BallisticBurns]

'Kindly tugging him off' 🤣🤣🤣

[@DaveSlaz]

There's no better feeling than getting tugged off !

[@tomh3627]

and being kindly tugged off is particularly pleasant.

[@razahu3]

Sitting here in Pakistan.. Dealing the stress of covid your videos are really helpful.. Initially I was in awe of your narration skills and attention to details.. Somewhere In the middle I found out you are a TV journalist, pretty much sums up.. Your profession helping you out 🙂

[@jaystermac9870]

Hey Raza I'm here the U.S. and I agree completely with you .

[@C_Mike]

I think these are the most quintessentially british vlogs. I'm not quite sure why they appeared in my recommendations but I'm glad they did. Stuff like this lift are simply amazing

[@modestadventurers]

Tugging him off🤔. A friendly bunch boaters.

[@mcgoo721]

Boaters being tugged off and bribery. This is the spicy canal life I want to sign up for!

[@kuzadupa185]

I love how when people take apart and put bsck together even something as big as this they still end up with spare parts!

[@sarge6870]

Probably the only reason there were "Spare Parts" was because when they rebuilt it 15years prior, they went from electric back to hydraulic.

[@ariadams3290]

1875? And the technology is obviously a testament to building great structures the old-fashioned way; with iron and steel and trusted craftsmanship that you just can't find anywhere! Hats off to the architect and original craftsman who put their heart and soul into machinery Thanks again for a great tour

[@simplefoodsimplelife9632]

How wonderful! Your ability to articulate what we were seeing and feeling at the boat lift, gave a real sense of being there. Thank you so much David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Very kind, thank you :-)

[@Cooper121842]

Lovely to hear about boats kindly tugging eachother off.

[@N4BGZ]

The quality of this set of vlogs is outstanding. I don't think there are any better anywhere.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Awww, thank you.

[@HisnameisRich]

I got kindly tugged off once, made a mess but we all went away happy

[@JohnnyWrong]

"Kindly tugging him off." Fnarr!

[@robevans2659]

"Tugging him off".... made me chuckle mate 😊🤣

[@ws8061]

I'm American and this is so cool. This would be a cool way to visit the UK.

[@owenglenn4298]

"With another kind boater tugging him off"...

[@rubenskiii]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@teenisteenis9642]

i came here to find this immediately after i heard it XD (came, giggity)

[@esmenouvelle9439]

The narrowboat community is apparently Very friendly.

[@MichaelJ1951]

Always enjoy your videos and especially appreciate the natural sounds and no overpowering annoying music

[@SvenArnvic]

Yah, that is really the only thing that makes "The Narrowboat Experience" 's vlogs less enjoyable, the loud, extremely cheesy pop music that drowns out pretty much everything. Much prefer his with just Vespers at the end.....though I can't help but think it's borrowed from Pink Floyd...possibly "Shine on you Crazy Diamond":

[@Innerspace100]

@@SvenArnvic To me, it sounds like a hitherto unknown surperflous track from Obscured By Clouds, or possibly even Atom Heart Mother. Especially the drum fills ar SOOO early seventies Nick Mason, it's hillarious! Perfect choice for this series of vlogs, though.

[@stephenberry8658]

Amazing piece of industrial era engineering. We visited as spectators after a narroboat day hire on the Union Shropshire Canal. Having visited the Falkirk Wheel the week before the difference is profound from the modern technology with rotating cassons instead of vertical lifts. Bravo.

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

The difference is these lads were building the Anderton lift well over a hundred years before the Falkirk was even thought about.Crazy!

[@dannyboyspain1]

You could sell these videos to a major tv network and they could show them every day through summer. You'd be a very rich man :)

[@freddiemeyer4563]

2.13 ' kindly tugging him off'😂

[@ginajones1003]

freddie meyer Technically is is not allowed by the hire companies, you are supposed to phone them and they will get someone out to help you ( and have a good laugh beforehand). They don’t want something to go wrong and have their boat damaged; thus needing repair and loosing the next booking. So if you do get someone to do this, make sure it is someone competent ( not another new hirer).

[@kauske]

We've got a couple of these in Ontario Canada, probably about twice as big in all dimensions. Canal cruising in England looks a lot more calm and slow than what I'm used to over here. But a lot of the Canals connect to rather impressively large lakes, so bigger boats, bigger locks, and rougher waters outside of the enclosed canals. It's good to see that no matter where you are, boaters are generally courteous and friendly though. Watching you traverse those tight and maze-like canals makes me nostalgic for many summer spent boating on the Trent Severn here in Canada when I was younger. Having so many intricate canals to explore seems nice, sadly, we don't have a ton in Canada. We would have had more, but the Trent was basically obsolete by the time it was done. There was a branch that would have headed right down to the city next to where I used to live, but it was never finished. Sadly, it's now just a bunch of empty, doorless locks sitting in the middle of a forest, with no connecting canals.

[@badad0166]

Well, most of it (TSWW) still operates and the closest twin to what we see here is at Peterborough, as in the Peterborough lift locks. Two tubs swapping, same philosophy. Marine Railway at Big Chute has the original on display and the massive upgrade functioning daily in the summer. basically float on, strap under and up the hill you go with your fellow boaters. Whee!

[@kenlennon]

Beautiful vlog David. Thanks for your time in making it for us.Ken

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Ken

[@kiereluurs1243]

Very admirable they made the lift working again. It's a proverbial time machine.

[@christopherwallace826]

This keeps popping up in me feed and I keep watching it. Its informative and relaxing so thanks cruising the cut for the good lunch break video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Plenty more on my channel too ;-)

[@randywilson6869]

I think I would want a shorter on for just me and the wife. Do they have shorter ones?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Shorter boat? Yes indeed, narrowboats come in sizes maybe from 20ish feet up to 70. A weekend boat could easily just be 25-30 feet though you'd want longer to live aboard.

[@lorispain1]

If you venture north of the border the Falkirk Wheel is a must see, along with the Kelpies, giant horses head sculptures!

[@frederick7128]

your channel popped up in my feed thank you something I would never have seen or in fact no about looks great I have never been to UK was not appealing but might just pop in and rent a boat for a couple of days

[@harrysaunders6180]

Thank you for your expertly produced, well scripted presentation It brought back many memories. My father had a boat on the Leeds & Liverpool canal. One year,I think it was either 1957 or 58, we went on a trip via the Leigh branch, Bridgewater canal and the Trent & Mersey to Winsford and the flashes beyond. The Anderton lift was busy and I remember that we had to wait for quite some time before descending due to the number of waiting working narrowboats. In those days the lift was operated using the cogs etc. which were lubricated with grease, of which occasionally parted company with the machinery and by way of gravity were deposited on the boats below! I have a collection of 9.5mm cine film from these times, but unfortunately the gate on the projector is out of sync and rips the film. Maybe this will give me the impetus to fix it. Sadly, my father died before the canals were viewed as an asset. He campaigned tirelessly to for sections of the Leeds & Liverpool to be kept open, in particular the stretch from Aintree to Liverpool. If closure had occurred, the canal would have been filled in (as many wanted,) and the Liverpool Dock Link may never have been achieved.

[@DavidStruveDesigns]

What an absolutely _marvellous_ bit of kit! I too love some "chunky" iron, bolts and rivets Industrial Revolution era engineering. It's wonderous what they were able to achieve for the time, I often wonder if we'd be willing and able to come up with something like that from scratch today - and I mean something _really_ built to last like this lift. Wonderful video, I enjoyed every minute of it! 😁😊

[@dannettepeters1507]

I am falling in love with the beauty of the canals. I especially like the, somewhat, overgrown areas with hanging tree limbs; surreal.

[@miked2662]

Taking a trip down these canals is now one of the top things I plan to do when I eventually visit the UK. Hello from Savannah, Georgia U.S.A. 👋🏻😁

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hello!

[@MrCalibra32]

Mate save your money the uk is a shithole

[@alexr4151]

The boat lift is a spectacular engineering achievement. Perhaps one day I'll have the pleasure of seeing it myself!

[@dianemorris6904]

David, I don't understand thumbs down reviews. If you don't like the videos, don't watch. Your enthusiasm and joy in your narrow boat make the videos more watchable. Is it that people don't like the content or that they have different ideas to you? Don't get it myself

[@parsia1363]

I can’t put into words how much I enjoy your videos! Every now n then I just pup into your channel for a quick getaway on the canals and it’s my own little holiday! Thank you

[@volvo09]

What a wild contraption, impressive engineering!

[@StaK_1980]

Don't know how I got here, but it is incredibly relaxing ! Bucket list for the retirement, I guess :-)

[@Archie-the-bulldog]

Good morning David. We’ve been watching all your vlogs and have enjoyed them all.m, and appreciate your time and effort. We are currently getting ready to move aboard or 62’ narrowboat. After moving our boat for the first time from Jones’s boatyard fenstanton to Hartford marina ( 4 hours ) 2 locks, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. But to do this alone, I take my hat of to you. You are a inspiration. We hope you have more wonderful journeys. Regards Craig & Tracey

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, I hope you have a splendid time aboard!

[@ceeceety2320]

That's fantastic! We are so envious! It has become a dream of ours from the U.S. once we retire in 7 yrs. We wish you all the best! Tim and Tammie Miller

[@mrmgubu2414]

Just found your channel and I really love it. You sound so well prepared and professional, just as good a proper TV show!

[@theproplady]

He should be; he used to do that kind of thing for a living...^_^

[@746laurie]

Twice visited the Anderton lift, once when it was operated by electric motors back in the early 1970s but I wasn't on a boat as my visit was by car when spending a short break with my late wife in the area. Second visit was in 1992 and we were on a narrowboat together, a one week holiday I had won in a national newspaper competition but of course that was during the period it was closed for restoration and conversion back to hydraulic power.

[@lindabowser7451]

If you're ever in Canada, get in a boat and go on the Peterborough lift lock. The world's largest. And right beside the Canadian Canoe Museum. Who could resist?

[@RVgeeks]

This video was shared with us by one of our viewers, as he knows we're into the mechanics of all sorts of things, and thought (correctly) that we'd be interested in the lift. But we love so much more here. The video is beautifully shot and edited, and your presentation is just marvelous, striking a pitch-perfect tone for us. As fellow nomads (albeit by motorhome), we love that you're sharing this fascinating lifestyle. Looking forward to exploring your other videos and learning more about cruising the canals in a narrowboat. Maybe our next nomadic adventure? ;-) Liked and subscribed!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hello you lovely people, I recently subbed to you too and am delighted to have you along. Lovely compliments, thank you. Your own work is decidedly excellent too so it's much appreciated. Cheers!

[@RVgeeks]

Not sure if it's a coincidence that we've both recently discovered and subscribed to each other's channels, David. Possibly our viewer, Diefer Dan ( kzbin.info ) had something to do with your finding us as well? Either way, we're so pleased to be connected with a kindred nomadic spirit, and thank you for your kind words. Means a lot coming from someone whose content we respect so much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

No, I don't know Dan but it was via another RV channel (I cannot remember which, sorry). Cheers :-)

[@johnlewis9158]

Interesting that those containers for want of a better word are called ciassons because ciassons disease is the alternative name for the bends. I remember watching a documentary many many years ago about the building of the Brooklyn bridge and ciassons disease was mentioned quite a lot. This makes me wonder did they use something like this boat lift to build the Brooklyn Bridge

[@galinneall]

Nice video. Some years ago, I visited Anderton and they had their own tour boat that would take visitors up and down the lift. It was fun and I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in the area.

[@petesmowerrepair]

Yet another fantastic video ! Each one of them a great look into the U K for us yanks ! Truly amazing how that lift operates ! Thanks for posting !!! Truly ! 👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Pete!

[@billiondollardan]

These long, skinny houseboats are really interesting. I like them!

[@andyrbush]

I do love these vlogs, perfect pace and variety of information and sights. Watched this a couple of times already

[@waltherr.diemel2347]

Two thumbs up for the ice cream, three thumbs up for the dog, and four thumbs up for assisting another boater.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I count myself duly blessed with thumbs!

[@rext8949]

All the paraphernalia of canal journeying. There's an entire industry catering to it. Admire the people who took the trouble to work out solutions for the different problems that were encountered even at that time. Thanks for the lift.

[@grahamlarson2738]

"And I saw another boat kindly tugging him off". Haha. I know, immature... but funny. 😁

[@rgarlinyc]

Wonderful... was neck deep into a 600 page legal screed, took a break and stumbled onto this. Thank you for a very enjoyable distraction. I do have one complaint though. Now I have no interest in returning to the 600 pages, and instead want to go narrow-boating on your canals. Sigh...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oops

[@europeantechnic]

I am so pleased that they have restored the lift to its former glory. I visited it as a kid in the 90s.

[@bartman8876]

I have been watching your vids for the last 3 days. I get teary eyed. from time to time. As listening and watching you point these wonderful sites out, reminds me of my Grandfather. He would show me videos of his travels here in America. When he retired and took to roads. You do a wonderful job with videos and visiting with everyone. Thanks subscribed to your channel

[@ceeceety2320]

This quickly became a favorite channel of mine and my wife. We had planned to retire in an RV which sounds like what your Grandfather did. Now that we've gotten to know about these beautiful canals, we are rethinking retirement. David really does a wonderful job doesn't he? He was in television and radio before this so I think that's why he's so good with vlogging. His voice has a calming effect. Glad you found the channel!

[@nsn73]

Hi, A few years ago, I watched a program on TV that had a piece about the lift. But, it was shown from a distance while someone talked about it. It was great to see the lift up close and have a “ride” on it. GREAT video! From Oklahoma, USA.

[@jimchurchill5651]

Interesting, beautiful scenery...! Thanks David.

[@raew5263]

That Anderton Boat Lift is really something. Amazing engineering for that time. Loved every minute of this vlog. Thank you

[@Dr_Larken]

I’m guilty of generally skipping through videos to the interesting part or the educational parts but in this case I watch the whole thing simply because I was fascinated as this man is with industrial engineering! I learned about these lives a couple years ago I learned about their existence correction! But this was very enjoyable!!

[@StarkRG]

The cool thing about boat lifts is that, whether there's a boat in them or not, they always weigh the same amount. This is because the amount of water displaced out of the caisson weighs exactly the same as the boat doing the displacing, that's Archimedes' principle. This means that the two caissons function as perfect counterweights making the whole system use very little energy considering the amount of mass being moved around. They are better counterweight than those found in human-scale lifts which end up having to use more energy to lift particularly heavy loads or particularly light ones (like if the lift is empty). Incidentally, I really hope that, by the time I'm able to buy a narrowboat, the scottish canals will be connected to the main network so I'll be able to experience the Falkirk Wheel boat lift. That thing is a simply astounding bit of engineering, new though it is.

[@kathlucy603]

I loved the boat lift, great old and renewed engineering.

[@snubbedpeer]

I am currently watching all your videos again and I am glad I did because somehow I missed this episode. That boat lift looked very nice, so much simpler for a solo boater!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Simple but very, very slow (and seems to break down a lot, unfortunately). Nonetheless, I was quite pleased with this episode if I say so myself! Cheers.

[@snubbedpeer]

Well, it is probably quicker than an ordinary lock which takes 15 to 20 minutes according to you and besides this lift must be compared to a whole flight of locks.

[@WesB1972]

Great feat of design, engineering and construction. Well done Brits. It is a treasure worth preserving.

[@Chrisdotnorthwich]

The daring, confidence and sheer audacity of those engineers to conceive of such an amazing structure eh? We are used to big steel structures nowadays but at the time the Anderton Boat Lift must have seemed like a miracle.

[@powerslaurae]

Coolest boat lift we’ve ever seen! Great video - thanks!

[@teamcibd9359]

I visited this place more than 10 years ago and I couldn't remember the name and where it is as I was a tourist from far east. Thank you for reminding me about it. I am dreaming to do the GB waterway cruise. Enjoy your journey 😍

[@ncplantdoctor]

Being that close to the famous lift, I think you made the right move to visit it and book a ride down and then back up. Just another couple of days in paradise (even with the sprinkles).

[@CruisingTheCut]

It was definitely worth doing, yes.

[@therealsharps]

Glad to hear the community tug each other off.

[@FoxDren]

one of the best things about the design of such a boat lift is that it requres very little power to operate. as any vessels entering the casson wil displace water equal to their mass both cassons will always have the same mass. as such the potential energy from the raised casson can be transfered into raising the lowered casson. as such you simply need a tiny amount of energy to get the entire system out of balance and it would continue on it's own if not for the energy needed to toehrcome friction.

[@adrianwright8685]

"caisson" (pronounced, kay son)

[@jacksonmississippi]

As a new viewer to Cruising the Cut, I was particularly thrilled to see this video. For many years, my grandfather Sadi Strebelle, was the civil engineer in charge of the four lifts on Belgium's Canal du Centre. During our childhood my siblings and I spent a lot of time around the lifts during summer visits to Belgium and occasionally we were allowed to ride up and down the lifts on some of the working coal boats.

[@MichaelsMustang]

Well worth the detour, an incredible piece of industrial heritage, luckily it did not get pulled down when it was closed and it was saved for future generations. When you consider their tools those engineers and the iron mangers of the day really did some amazing things. Great vlog, scenery from a very different perspective.

[@fokker34]

Across the pond in the U.S. we have full time van lifers, you blokes in British canal boats beat that lifestyle hands down.

[@steamgent4592]

Very Kool. Reminds me the type of place ole Fred Dibnah would take viewers when he started doing historical shows. Like you I love stuff from the Industrial era.

[@cornishviewnorth8994]

Your skillful filming and editing gave the feel of the whole experience, even to the weird sensation that the structure was rising up when you went down. I have long wanted to see this noble piece of engineering, and this was nearly as good as being there...thanks!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ah, that's very kind, thank you.

[@rvertv]

that was too cool.. I never seen such a lift before...excellent video

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Russ, it's an amazing contraption.

[@AndyThomasStaff]

this was a very relaxing way to end my sunday. thank you

[@Gary-fc5tk]

It's better than an RV on the open road much more scenery and very pretty, thanks for the trip,, Gary from America,

[@nevillemason6791]

There are some canals that you can navigate round and eventually come back to the same location but many you have to turn around and retrace the same route. Not such a problem on a road system. Also there's places were there's a long flight of locks (20+) were you need a lot of time and physical effort to negotiate. Floating along the canals looks very leisurely but interspersed with 'a good workout'. No need for a gym membership!

[@samboslc]

Beautiful engineering and the presentation was awesomely done. From U. S. A.

[@01322521959]

Another stupendous video. Absolutely fascinating.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@lewis2255]

This reminds me of the Falkirk wheel up In Scotland It’s really fun

[@tannerrobinson5110]

As someone who is currently studying engineering, this stuff is awesome.

[@eastcoastandy2905]

That was highly entertaining, thanks. The 'grass' deck reminded me of the carpet in my old VW camper 20 years ago, same material and lasted for ages! It looked like a big doormat at the end but the kids loved it.

[@LisaMarli]

Glad you stopped and let us see the show. What a lovely piece of engineering. I'm so glad it was restored, definitely worth the effort.

[@BobbyTucker]

I always enjoy your videos of "Cruising the Cut", it's serene and the sights are quite like the scenery here in Michigan on the lakes. I think we get quite a bit more sunshine than you though. Thank's again for sharing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Bobby

[@MrSam4850]

2:10 ooh err missus!

[@danielbillingsley74]

This is literally the greatest BBC audition tape. Great videos.

[@michaelpowell6263]

Another brilliant video. The Anderton Lift is one of those marvels of creation that we would take for granted today but in 1875 must have been an absolute marvel of engineering. Thanks for the cygnets.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I still can't quite get my head around the date it was built!

[@russellyoung8812]

I'm glad to see while scrolling thru the comments that I wasn't the only one who laughed at the "Kindley tugging him off" comment :)

[@superyachtchef]

Very new to your channel and impressed with your utterly brilliant presentation style.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@bryantford3054]

Your videos are so informative yet relaxing. Thank you.

[@williambays3534]

Very well done David. This was one of the most interesting v'logs of yours I've seen. I never knew that there was such a lift on the canals. Quite educational. As always thanks for sharing the beauty of the English country side.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you; it's quite a remarkable construction.

[@jimcub22]

I worked across from this for 28 years and saw it in original format ( steam was used before my time ), then its rebuild to how it is at present.

[@timtraver7152]

Amazing video and excellent narration! Greeting from NY State, home of the Erie Canal.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Very very interesting. Fabulous adventure. Great video.Thank you David

[@navigator902]

Many hours in production makes your vlogs shine... thanks David ... you have the skills.

[@aaronvancoillie1088]

Tbh, I have never seen a video with your kind of boat. Everything you film/do is a first for me and i must say, it is pretty interesting. Its like a little documentary! Keep it going like this!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you. You've got over 150 videos to catch up on ;-)

[@joemoore4803]

This video showed up in my suggested list. I have subscribed and started watching from the beginning. I live close to the Erie Canal in the US but no beautiful narrowboats. Truly enjoy your vlogs.

[@kazrios2553]

yo same, up or down state?

[@thebackwardpointinggodwit1396]

Can’t stop watching your vlogs. This is one of your best.

[@sallynewton306]

We enjoyed this little excursion, if a little bit scary looking. Journeys are rarely event free on the cut, but it's a great life. Sally & Billy 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Scary looking but actually fine :-)

[@soumadipchowdhury6273]

I don't know maybe it's just me but the narrator's voice and the visuals give me a similar vibe as I used to get from Thomas & Friends.

[@mikestirewalt5193]

Exactly.

[@StarkRG]

2:12 "[...] another boat kindly tugging him off." Uh, phrasing. 15:26 "[...] and banged his pin back in." You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?

I was about to comment on the same phrasing. It literally made me laugh out loud!

[@riccraun2517]

Very Special... Quite enjoyable... Makes me want to visit UK AGAIN..... Thanks for taking the time to video...

[@DMG1897]

Enjoyed the amount of innuendo in the Vlog, it was almost like a carry on film! "kindly tugging him off" "I am getting damp and soggy at the back" "When it starts of it is bounce, bounce, bounce. It's very odd"

[@CruisingTheCut]

I must be turning into Sid James in my old age! Fnarrr, fnarrrr

[@jjjnettie]

I think my mind must be getting cleaner, the older I get. I missed all of that. LOLOL.