Rochdale Canal Lock 20 Wadsworth Mill Lock

Lock 20, also known as Wadsworth Mill Lock, was built in 1798 and designed by engineer William Jessop, with William Crosley as the resident engineer. The lock features large dressed stone retaining walls that include rebates for gates. At the northern end, there are two rebates intended for a double set of bottom gates. The lock was designed to accommodate vessels measuring 74 feet long, 14 feet 2 inches wide, and with a draft of 4 feet from the Manchester end. The purpose of the double set of bottom gates was to facilitate the passage of 57-foot vessels from the Calder and Hebble, which would save approximately 50 tons of water. However, there is no evidence that the intended double gates were ever installed.