[1] Work began in 1724, and by 1734 boats "of moderate size" could make the journey from quays in Water Street, Manchester, 53°28′46″N 2°15′23″W / 53.4794°N 2.2564°W / 53.4794; -2.2564 to the Irish Sea.

[4] The navigation was suitable only for small ships, and during periods of drought, or when strong easterly winds held back the tide in the estuary, there was not always sufficient draft for a fully laden boat.

[5] Eight weirs were constructed along the length of the route, and some shortcuts were made around shallower parts of the river, with locks, to enable the passage of boats.

[3] In 1779 a group of businessmen from Manchester and Liverpool purchased the navigation, and began making improvements.

[7] An aqueduct was built from Woolston Cut, to replace water lost from the locks that were used to raise boats into the new canal section.

[7] The completion of the Bridgewater Canal in 1776, followed in 1830 by the opening of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, meant increasing competition for the carriage of goods, and in 1844 the navigation was purchased on behalf of the Bridgewater Canal Company, for £550,800.

In 1882 it was described as being "hopelessly choked with silt and filth",[10] and was open to 50-ton boats for only 47 out of 311 working days.

[12] A ship canal was proposed as a way to reverse Manchester's economic decline by giving the city direct access to the sea for its imports and exports of manufactured goods.