Dry Dock
The dock is probably the oldest living example of a dry dock associated with a canal, dating from c1761. There are two dry docks, including 19th century sheds - a third dock has long been filled in. Here boats were both built and repaired. In 1770 Arthur Young in his 'six month tour through the north of England' gave a flavour of the scene:
"The little village of Worsley looks like a river environ of London. Here is a very large timber yard well stowed with all sorts of wood and timbers for framing buildings, and building boats, barges and all kinds of floating machines. The boat-builder's yard joins and several boats, barges etc are always on the stocks."
