“I never saw anything like it”: Queen Victoria opens Manchester’s Ship Canal

At 11am on 21st May 1894, Queen Victoria left Windsor Castle, with members of her family and household, and headed en route to her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle. Along the way, the royal entourage stopped at Manchester so that Victoria could open its iconic Ship Canal.

As the royal train arrived at the station at 4:30pm, “the Ld Mayor, & Corporation & the General Commanding the North Western District” waited to greet the Queen on the platform. “A Guard of Honour & Yeomanry” had gathered outside the station, ready for the Queen to admire as she passed through in a horse-drawn carriage with “Marie L., Beatrice & Liko” [Prince Henry of Battenberg].

“The day was not bright” and the royal party experienced some rain. Nonetheless, Victoria was overjoyed by the “million and 1/2 of people” that had gathered on the heavily decorated streets to see her. The first place she stopped was Albert Square, where a statue of her “Dearest Albert” stood beneath a canopy. Remaining in her carriage, Victoria received an address from the Lord Mayor, “who was presented by Lord Spencer”. From here, the carriage went to the Municipal School of Art, where Dr Ward, Principal of the Owen’s College, “handed” Victoria an address.

Next, the royal party went to Trafford Wharf, “having stopped on the way at Old Trafford to receive a bouquet from one of the pupils of Manchester Deaf & Dumb School”. Upon arriving at the Wharf, Lord Everton of Tatton and the “principal members of the Manchester Ship Canal Co” waited to meet the Queen before taking her onboard the “Enchantress”, where she sat under an awning in the ship’s draughty stern. According to Victoria’s journal, several presentations took place and another address was made, this time by Lord Egerton of Tatton “on behalf of the Company”. As part of the ceremony Victoria also Knighted the Lord Mayor, Mr A. Marshall, and the Mayor of Salford, Mr W. Bailey.

Victoria then writes that they “steamed slowly to the Mode Wheel Docks”. Soon after their arrival, a salute was fired as Victoria opened the lock via a metal wire connected to “hydraulic machinery,” and declaring the canal open. The “Enchantress” then headed back to Trafford Wharf, where its royal passengers rendered their carriages, ready to resume their journey along the crowded, troop-lined route through the city.

During their journey to the “Exchange Station,” the royal party made one final stop at the Ordsall Park. Here, the newly Knighted Mayor of Salford presented Victoria an address in a silver casket, while his wife gave her a basket of roses.

Judging by Victorias journals, the day had been a success as she wrote that she “cannot attempt to describe the very wonderful & enthusiastically loyal & affectate demonstration I received”. She goes on to describe how the streets had been “decorated with flags of every sort & kind, garlands suspended across the streets, which were everywhere lined with troops, & several beautiful arches”. She adds that she had been “deeply touch & gratified” by the level of “cheering and waving of hats”, adding that she “never saw anything like it”. By 7:30, Queen Victoria and her entourage had left Manchester and was officially on her way to her Scottish retreat.

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