World Map United Kingdom Salford Salford

Salford Quay by night

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This used to be No.7 dock in the Port of Manchester. Nos, 8, and 9 dock to the right, and No 6 to the left No more freight gets shipped here. The cranes and warehouses are gone, and the new Lowry gallery sits between No.8 and No.9 dock

MaryAlice, on October 23, said:

How incredibly beautiful! The lighting is fantastic ~ Simply dreamy! I love this, and so much to see, especially in full view!

Thank you for the added information!

Once again, quite a view, and QUITE a shot!

Well done!

Best regards from the USA,

Mary Alice

Peter_private_box, on October 23, said:

Hi Mary Alice,

So nice to hear form you again this evening! Thank you for having an appreciation of what Salford Quay has become, even down to the Lowry gallery and the tram. I was having an internet trawl for some old pictures of when this was a real international dock, but couldn't find any (although I do have a few in books at home, and memories of my youth). We were taught that there are only three canals in the world built to take ocean going ships, Panama, Suez, and Manchester Ship Canal. (No doubt that has changed since I was little.) The canal remains, but only small pleasure craft now. No exotic cargo, and no docks any more, only these new luxury buildings. I did try a few pics during the dawn, and this one I must admit I liked the best for its lighting and colour.

Hope you have a nice weekend!! Best Wishes Peter

Nick Weall, on October 24, said:

A lovely night shot Peter and so full of detail backed up by your great information in the comments above ~ how our Cities have changed over the past fifty years ~ nice work ~ have a great weekend ~ Ciao nick

Peter_private_box, on October 25, said:

Thanks Nick.

As you say, a massive change. The whole of the area between No 8 and No 9 dock (where the Lowry and 'The Quays' now are) used to be full of railway sidings, known as 'No. 1 Grid', claimed to be capable of holding 1,500 wagons. The foreground, where the tram tracks and diner are, used to be a multi track railway linking both sides of the canal via a double track swing bridge (parallel to the existing road bridge). The swing bridge was removed some years ago 'when I was a lad'.

Best Wishes Peter

MaryAlice, on October 27, said:

So now, are you saying that those magnificent tunnels are all running underneath this city? Oh, I am just so intrigued! It is all most fascinating to me.

Very curious in the USA,

Mary Alice

Peter_private_box, on October 29, said:

Hi Mary Alice,
well you have got me very excited and curious too, so I've been digging a bit more.. Manchester grew out of the textile industry from around 1750, where the rivers of Irwell, Mersey, and Medlock provided water power for the machines, and transportation of the goods. Before the railways appeared (Liverpool & Manchester in 1830)there was a whole plethora of canals to take goods 'around town'. (Like Amsterdam maybe). It is hardly suprising that many of these older communication lines got covered over, bricked up, or simply forgotten. The Ship Canal is a much more recent addition from 1894. There is supposed to be still in existence the underground Manchester and Salford Junction Canal, built in 1829 from the Rochdale Canal to the River Irwell across the city centre. This transported goods between the Great Northern Railway Warehouse on Deansgate to Grape Street.

If you can find it in the USA, I found a book Underground Manchester: Secrets of the City Revealed (Paperback) by Keith Warrender (Author). Amazon in the UK have it in stock.

There is even a rumour (which I don't believe) that some of the tunnels were used to store old steam locomotives so that if there was ever an 'oil supply problem', these knights in shining armour could come to the rescue of the country!

More soon!!

Best Wishes Peter

gezginruh, on November 18, said:

A magnificent photo! Congratulations. GGR

Peter_private_box, on November 19, said:

Hi Gezginruh,

Thanks very much for your visit. I'm sure you will have read the discussion as to what used to be here. Now we have modern houses, and it is all very nice and clean. (And very close to Manchester United football ground too)

Best Wishes Peter

whoelius, on November 25, said:

This place gets prettier by the week, seemingly.

Vadim Anokhin, on December 12, said:

Good photo! But better to use minimum ISO and tripod for decrease of noise.

Peter_private_box, on December 13, said:

Hi Vadim,

Thank you for your visit. Of course you are right about using smaller ISO to reduce noise. This photo was taken with ISO1600 at 1/6 second, (using tripod!). I did try smaller ISO and longer exposure, but the water looked like it was ice, so I rejected it. I have found that very long exposures for water can sometimes look wonderful or other times look really bad. I have never really understod why, so if possible, I try all combinations!

Best Wishes Peter

davidcmc58, on December 17, said:

Wow! Simply a wonderful night shot. I like it a lot. Cheers, David

Peter_private_box, 14 days ago, said:

Hi David,

Thanks for the compliments!

As I explained to Vadim, I always find night shots of water very difficult, and always end up trying a whole range of exposure times, just to pick one I like.

The water looks so colourful now, a vast difference from when it was full of diesel oil, and floating bits of wood from crates the dockers had broken.

Best Wishes Peter

zorinaristos007, 13 days ago, said:

Great night shot Peter, nice colour and well composed piture. Regards, zorinaristos007.

Peter_private_box, 12 days ago, said:

Hi Zorinaristos007,

Thanks for the visit, and glad you like it. As I explaine dto Vadim, I did try a lot of variations here, but liked this one the best!

Best Wishes Peter

kxk, 11 days ago, said:

Peterprivatebox very nice night shot. Best of. Kosmas

Peter_private_box, 10 days ago, said:

Hi Kosmas,

Thank you for your visit