The Towers (Manchester)

Infobox Historic building
name=The Towers

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caption=The decision to build the Manchester Ship Canal was made here.
map_type=
location_town=Manchester
location_country=United Kingdom
coordinates=coord|53.4081|N|2.2261|W|display=inline,title|region:GB-MAN_type:landmark
architect=Thomas Worthington
client=
engineer=
construction_start_date=1868
completion_date=1872
date_demolished=
cost=£50,000
structural_system=
style=Gothic
size=

The Towers (later known as the Shirley Insitute, and then the BTTG)cite web|url=http://fungus.org.uk/cv/towers.htm|title=Guide to the Towers|publisher=Research|date=1998|accessdate=2008-07-04] is a research establishment for new technologies in cotton production. It was established in 1920 for £10,000 to accommodate the newly-formed "British Cotton Industry Research Association". [cite web|url=http://www.chstm.manchester.ac.uk/research/areas/technologiesofwork/|title=Technologies of work|publisher=University of Manchester|date=Spring 2002|accessdate=2008-07-04] It is a Grade II* listed building in the suburb of Didsbury, located 5–6 miles south of Manchester, England.

History

The building was constructed in the period 1868–72, for an estimated cost of £50,000 – with a significant amount being contributed by the MP for Stockport, William Greenwood.cite web|url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/buildings/academic.html|title=Manchester Educational & Academic Buildings|publisher=Unknown|date=2005-01-10|accessdate=2008-07-04] It is believed that he donated a large amount because he wanted the building named after his daughter. The house was designed by Salford architect Thomas Worthington, for the editor and proprietor of the "Manchester Guardian", John Edward Taylor. The building was once described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, a leading researcher into the history of architecture, as "grossly picturesque in red brick and red terra cotta."

Manchester Ship Canal

The Towers was once the home of the notable engineer Daniel Adamson – whose idea for the canalisation of the Rivers Irwell and Mersey resulted in the creation of the Manchester Ship Canal project which made the rivers into Manchester navigable for sea-going ships.He invited representatives of several Lancashire towns, local businessmen and politicians, and two civil engineers, Hamilton Fulton and Edward Leader Williams. Fulton proposed a tidal canal, with no locks and a deepened channel into Manchester; Williams was in favour of a series of locks. Both engineers were invited to submit proposals, and Williams' plans were selected to form the basis of a bill submitted to Parliament in November 1882.Owen (1983), p. 31.] Because of intense opposition by Liverpool and the railway companies, the necessary enabling Act of Parliament was not passed until 6 August 1885. Certain conditions were attached: £5 million had to be raised, and the ship canal company had to buy both the Bridgewater Canal and the Mersey & Irwell Navigation within two years. [Owen (1983), p. 37.]

hirley Institute

In 1920 it became the base of the Shirley Institute of the British Cotton Industry Research Association as a research centre dedicated to cotton production technologies. [cite web
url=http://www.chstm.manchester.ac.uk/research/areas/technologiesofwork/
title=Technologies of work
publisher=Manchester University, Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
accessdate=2008-07-10]

Notes

Bibliography

*cite book |last=Owen |first=David |title=The Manchester Ship Canal |date=1983 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=0-7190-0864-6

External links

* [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=458458 Architectural description]