Excavation of the Manchester Ship Canal

This painting 'The Excavation of the Manchester Ship Canal, Eastham Cutting, 1891' is by Benjamin Williams Leader, R.A. Wilbraham, 2nd Baron Egerton of Tatton (1832-1909) , was Chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal company from 1887 until completion of works in 1894. He acted as a figurehead and he actively raised funding for the project by gaining national support for it. He was also the single largest investor in the project himself. He dug the first sod of the excavations for the canal at Eastham on the 11th November 1887. The painting gives an insight into the important role that family played in the development of the canal system and therefore economic developments in the North West region of England in the late 19th century, which had repercussions around the world.