Barging Along

Barging along - In 1943 this film was commissioned by the Central Canal Committee to demonstrate the work of the inland waterways during World War II. In 1948 HMSO ordered that all copies be destroyed. One print survivedin the offices of the Manchester Ship Canal. Although in poor condition when it was discovered it is now in the safe custody of the North West Film Archive.

Video Channel

There are an array of fascinating archive videos featuring Britain’s inland waterways available on the internet and they offer an important dimension to our understanding of the inland waterway story. To help you access these videos we have assembled a searchable database of archive films with links to the originals. The database is searchable by waterway and by decade. Clicking on the image in the listing below will bring the associated video to the top for viewing.

Where there is no image available clicking on the link will take you to the website where the original is hosted for viewing there.

We welcome suggestions and recommendations of archive films not included here – please email them to editorial@wwonline.co.uk.

Search by waterway and decade