The Valley - Sankey Bridges Traditional Cache
ferreter38: It would appear that this one has gone...
The Valley - Sankey Bridges
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Parking is available across the road from the cache. You are looking for a 1.1 litre snap-lock box.
Originally the Sankey Canal ended here at Sankey Bridges, with a lock to Sankey Brook which flows into the Mersey. This was used by the "Mersey Flats" to get to Liverpool. The winding brook caused problems for the boats and an extension to the canal to Fiddler's Ferry was authorised in 1762. The Lock at Sankey Bridges was still in use up until 1830, with boats using it to try to jump the queue at Fiddler's Ferry. There is no trace left of the lock now.
In 1756, private wharves, a coal yard and a pub called the 'Resolution Sloop' existed here. The pub still exists just a little up the road to the East and is now called "The Sloop". A little later, a boatyard was added and became the main manufacturing centre of the "Mersey Flats".
There were two road bridges built, as the main road to Liverpool crossed here. The 2nd bridge was a relief bridge to provide a crossing for when the main road bridge was being maintained. Both bridges were originally hand operated swing bridges. The main bridge being replaced in 1915 by an electrically operated version.
When the railway was built, a third swing bridge was needed. In November of 1858 on a foggy night, the bridge had been opened to let boats pass through and because of the fog and some misinterpretation of the timetables a locomotive ended up in the canal. It took a few days to remove it.
Opposite the car park you can see one of the swing bridges, although this may not be the original. Also there is the "Mersey White Lead Company" building, now used by a local printing firm.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Onfr bs zhygv-gehaxrq gerr arne jnyy, haqre vil.