This Cache can be done in conjunction with theWeaving
through Barnton and
Weavng through Little leigh caches.
The Cache is placed on the towing path over Saltersford Tunnel Near
Barnton, Northwich. The tunnel was one of the first canal tunnels
ever built in this country so is only wide enough for one boat to
travel through and the engineers of the time didn't quite get it
right so it is crooked with a big dog leg in the middle just
underneath where the cache is placed. It is built through a
sandstone outcrop in the valley side above Saltersford Locks on the
River Weaver.
From the cache location step into the field and you can see the
ventilation shaft of the tunnel.
The tunnel was originaly traversed by 'legging' the boats
through the tunnel, the boatmen lie on their backs and walk the
boat along the wall or roof of the tunnel, whilst the boat horse
was led over the tunnel via the towpath,
At the south end of the tunnel there is, much overgrown, a water
trough fed by a spring in the valley side, where the horses would
have had a drink whilst waitng for the boat to appear fom the
tunnel.
Later, from the turn of the 19th Century, a steam tug service
was provided through both Barnton and Saltersford tunnels, The tugs
had sprung loaded wheels to guide the tug through the crooked
tunnels and used to tow up to 6 boats at one time, the tug service
was discontinued oin the 1950s as most boats by then had engines
and could tow through unpowered boats.
The large expanse of water is Saltersford Pool that was formed
when the canal was dug across the small valley and dammed the
narrow entrance creating the pool.
It is a popular mooring and fishing spot.