Scuttled! Excavating a 19th Century Barge in Rochdale, by Kelly Griffiths

Six mid 19th century barges in a good state of preservation were excavated in the historic Rochdale canal basin as part of mitigation works prior to construction. Two of the barges were scuttled in the boat holes of a warehouse and a composite pontoon discovered nearby. The lives of the boats spanned 100 years and were left in the basin by the Rochdale Canal Company. Kelly will discuss the history of the Rochdale Canal Company culminating in the abandonment/scuttling of the boats, as well as presenting the results of the mitigation and the obstacles that needed to be overcome in the recording of the archaeology.

Kelly will then continue to outline the subsequent creative engagement project – Scuttled – which saw a collaboration with a production company and local community groups, using the archaeology of the vessels and archival resources to write and produce an audio drama about the lives of the families who worked on the canal in the 19th century. Starring Christopher Eccleston, the audio drama was made possible by an AHRC grant and is available to be streamed online – free for all listeners.

Date: 2nd October 2024
Day: Wednesday, 10.30am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Kelly Griffiths
Cost: members - free of charge
Cost: non-members - £5

Host or Publisher Manchester & Lancashire FHS