View source for Stanley Ferry Aqueduct

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox aqueduct navigable
|name             = Stanley Ferry Aqueduct
|image            = Stanley Ferry Aqueduct (geograph 3511340).jpg
|image_size       = 270px
|image_caption    =
|carries          = [[Aire and Calder Navigation]]
|crosses          = [[River Calder, West Yorkshire|River Calder]]
|location         = [[Stanley Ferry]]
|os_grid_reference= SE355230
|maintained       = [[Canal & River Trust]]
|designer         = George Leather
|material1        = [[Cast iron]]
|material2        =
|number_spans     =
|piers_in_water   =
|mainspan         =
|length           = {{convert|50.3|m|ft|order=flip}}
|width            = {{convert|7.3|m|ft|order=flip}}
|height           =
|depth            =
|passable         =
|towpath          = Both
|clearance_above  =
|clearance_below  =
|begin            = 1836
|complete         = 1839
|open             =
|rebuilt          =
|heritage         = [[Grade I listed]]
|closed           =
|coordinates      = {{coord|53.7024|-1.4624|display=inline,title}}
|extra            =
}}
'''Stanley Ferry Aqueduct''' was built between 1836 and 1839 to take the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]] over the [[River Calder, West Yorkshire|River Calder]] in [[West Yorkshire]], [[England]]. It is one of the earliest [[through arch bridge]]s in the world and is considered to be the longest span aqueduct executed in [[cast iron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=19 |title=Largest|accessdate=10 August 2007}}</ref>

Designed by George Leather Sr. and built by H. McIntosh, the aqueduct has a span of {{convert|165|ft}}, a width of {{convert|24|ft}} and a depth of {{convert|8.5|ft}}.<ref>{{Structurae|id=20007285|title=Stanley Ferry Aqueduct|accessdate=10 August 2007}}</ref> It is still in use today, though an additional wider concrete aqueduct was constructed alongside in 1981 and the bridge was then renovated.
Stanley Ferry is also the place where the [[Tom Pudding]] tub boats were loaded with coal from local collieries between 1863 and 1985 and transported down to [[Goole]] in long trains by canal.

[[File:Stanley Ferry Aqueducts (geograph 5701945).jpg|thumb|left|The arch bridge and its concrete neighbour from the canalside]]
The site is one of three historic [[Ford (crossing)|ford]]s crossing the River Calder near [[Wakefield]]. Because the water was deepened for navigation a ferry became necessary, but was replaced by the first bridge in 1879.

Like many through arch bridges, the design of the bridge is often confused with the [[tied-arch bridge]]; many bridges have both characteristics. However in this case the bridge is of cast iron, which would be weak in tension. Although the aqueduct channel is in the right position to act in tying the arch, it would have no strength in this direction. At Stanley Ferry, the outward sideways thrust of the arch is retained by its [[abutment]]s, as for the simple [[arch bridge]].

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}}|{{commonscat}}}}
*[[List of canal aqueducts in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Grade I listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
*[[Listed buildings in Normanton, West Yorkshire]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Through arch bridges in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Cast-iron arch bridges in England]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1839]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wakefield]]
[[Category:Transport in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Navigable aqueducts in England]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Grade I listed bridges]]
[[Category:Grade I listed canals]]
[[Category:Normanton, West Yorkshire]]


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