Motorway Mayhem M53 J8 : Ellesmere Port Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Royal Oak: This cache has been disabled for some time and as the owner has not responded to recent logs or logged into geocaching.com for some time I am archiving it.

Guidelines:[i] "As the cache owner, you are also responsible for physically checking your cache periodically, and especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to hunt for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable time - normally a few weeks - in which to arrange a visit to your cache. In the event that a cache is not being properly maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an extended period of time, we may archive the listing."[/i]

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Royal Oak
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Hidden : 7/7/2006
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Motorway Mayhem caches are designed to provide fairly easy drive-by caches for travellers who are in need of a break.


This is one of a set of 6 Motorway Mayhem micros along the M53 between Bebbington (Junction 4) and Ellesmere Port (Junction 9).
There is an additional, regular sized, Bonus Cache near Junction 11 – which is the interchange between the M53 and M56. (access to it is actually from Junction 10, but it is physically nearer 11).

Every cache of this series is either on a public footpath, or on the roadside on a quiet lane just off the relevant motorway junction. There is no need climb fences, scramble through lots of undergrowth or enter private property.

Please be careful where you park for this one as it's on a bit of a bend in the road. Might be best to park along the road a bit to the North.


ELLESMERE PORT

Ellesmere Port and Whitby are inextricably entwined, since one grew out of the other. The village of Whitby dates back to Viking days, 'Whitby' being a 'Norse' name, but was not mentioned in the Doomsday Book, as, it was at the time included in the parish of Eastham. The villages of Hooton, Great and Little Sutton, however, were mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

The existence of today's Ellesmere Port, which before the cutting of the Manchester Ship Canal lay on the south bank of the River Mersey, must be attributed to a number of Shropshire businessmen who, under the chairmanship of Lord Edward Clive, held meetings in August 1791 and September 1792. The outcome resulted in an overall plan to construct a canal connecting the rivers Severn, Mersey and Dee. On April 30th 1793 they won the consent of Parliament to construct a canal from the River Severn at Shrewsbury to the River Mersey at Whitby (now part of Ellesmere Port). The committee chose William Jessop, a civil engineer, to act as consultant to the project. When it came to choosing the general agent, the Midlands iron master John Wilkinson used his influence to force through the appointment of Thomas Telford.

Telford carried out all the architectural and engineering business: the drawing up of plans for the making of bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, locks, buildings, reservoirs, wharfs and other works.

Under the direction of Telford and Jessop the canal was built, and at the point where the canal joined the Mersey, the locks, basin and warehouses were built. The opening of the canal from the Mersey to Chester took place on July 1st 1795. This was the birth of Ellesmere Port.

The terminus and junction, popularly known as Whitby Wharf and Whitby Locks, consisted of the locks, cottages, (for the accommodation of the lock-keepers, linesmen and a clerk.) and an Inn for the accommodation of passengers using the canal and river packet boats.

The canal basin area into which the Ellesmere Port to Chester Canal connected via Whitby Locks came to be known as Ellesmere Port (as it was the 'Port' of the Ellesmere Canal, later to become part of the Shropshire Union Canal).

The town is indeed very honoured to have such a celebrated man as Thomas Telford connected with its origin, he also gave the town a complete scheme of locks, docks and warehouses, together with the maintenance facilities required for its success. This miniature dockland was a joy to look at, like the beautiful elliptical stone arches which carried the warehouses over the two arms between the lower basin and dock.

There are many features that pay testimony to the genius of Telford. After Telford's death in 1834, Thomas Cubbit, a famous builder of the time, took on and finished his designs.

The first houses were built around the docks and the first main street was Dock Street. Queen Street contained some shops but later houses in Station Road were converted to retail premises as more shops were needed.

CIVIC BADGE OF THE BOROUGH OF ELLESMERE PORT

By Letters Patent dated the 20th December, 1963, a Civic Badge was granted and assigned by the Kings of Arms unto the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Ellesmere Port in the following terms:-

On a Plate encircled by a Cable Or Water Barry wavy in base thereon a Lymphad proper sail Argent charged with a Cog Wheel Sable and Flags and Pennon flying Gules.

The badge incorporates some of the features of Borough Council’s Coat of Arms. The blue and white wavy lines are symbolic of the River Mersey and the ancient ship of commerce (or “Lymphad” in heraldic language) denotes the Borough’s status as a port and it’s ancient maritime associations. The cogwheel on the sail of the Lymphad is a symbolic reference to industry, the plate being encircled by a golden rope indicating the maritime associations of the County.

The series consists of :

M53 J4 : Clatterbridge
M53 J5 : Eastham
M53 J6 : Hooton
M53 J7 : Overpool
M53 J8 : Ellesmere Port
M53 J9 : Boat Museum

All 6 must be visited in order (but in no particular order) to obtain sufficient information to find the bonus cache :

A, B, C, D, E, F are letters that will be found in each of the six stages. Along with each letter you'll find a number. Simply substitute that number for the letter in the following :
N D E.A
W F C.B

M53 J 11 : Juncs 4-9 : The Bonus



Check out the Motorway Mayhem home page for up to date info about the series around the UK



Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onfr bs fgrry (hcevtug) cbfg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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