Travel
MAY 13
“ANY GUM CHUM?”
Take a trip down memory lane and hop aboard Mersey Ferries’ fascinating Manchester Ship Canal Cruise to unlock the secrets of a magnificent waterway A TRIP aboard the Manchester Ship Canal Cruise offers a heritage day out with a difference, taking in over 100 years worth of history along the 35 mile stretch, passing through locks and under bridges mostly unchanged since they were built over a century ago. Marvel at the historic buildings, industry, fields, houses and the wide open space of the Mersey estuary surrounded by nature’s beauty and tranquility. The journey offers an awe-inspiring sense of how the canal’s construction shaped forever the cities, and the people, of Liverpool, Manchester and the North West of England – linking the counties of Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. For many, the Manchester Ship Canal was a place of work, from the gangers who originally carved out the canal to sailors aboard ships carrying cotton from America to feed the bustling mills of Manchester. But for lots of people, the canal holds vivid youthful memories of adventure
Black and white photos taken in the 1960s, kindly supplied by Joan Southern
and excitement. American wartime ships would often pass up and down the canal, prompting excited local children to flock to the locks and call up for foreign sweets, chocolate and fruit to
be thrown from the decks. “Any gum chum?” the children would call to the passing American sailors in the hope their bounty would be fortunate enough to make it to land. The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise sails from Liverpool and Salford Quays and on most cruises there’s also an additional opportunity to enjoy a two and a half hour stopover before return transfer by bus. These stopovers allow time to take in the sights, have a bite to eat, do a little shopping or simply enjoy the culture.
You can visit The Lowry, Imperial War Museum, or Lowry Outlet Mall in Salford Quays home of Media City; the U-boat Story at Woodside, with its real German WWII U-534 submarine; or Liverpool’s central attractions and Albert Docks. Once you’ve finished your day of cruising you will return to your point of departure by dedicated bus transfer. l 2013 sailing dates are now available. Visit www.merseyferries.co.uk or call 0151 330 1444 for more details.
Battle of the Atlantic, 70th Anniversary Commemorations COMMEMORATING the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, there will be a whole host of events on the River Mersey between May 24 and 28. Naval vessels from different countries including Europe, Russia, Canada and America will visit Liverpool for this event that will be the final time The Battle of the Atlantic is commemorated. Mersey Ferries will be running additional sailings during the Battle of the Atlantic celebrations! Most cruises will include a live commentary. Check www.merseyferries.co.uk for more details.
BEST OF LIVERPOOL 29