Plaque

Islington Tunnel - west

Inscription

Legging the longest tunnel 
At 960 yards (878 metres) long, the Islington Tunnel is James Morgan's greatest engineering achievement.
To 'leg' a boat through, two boaters lay on their backs on planks laid across the bows. Then they 'walked' along the sides of the tunnel, inching the boat forwards with their feet.
Getting through the tunnel was also an achievement for early boaters, as there was no towpath. This meant they couldn't use their horses.

The Regents Canal
British Waterways London
Heritage Lottery Fund

Site: Islington Tunnel - west (1 memorial)

N1, Grand Union Canal near Muriel Street

This modern plaque is at the bottom of the sloping path on the left.

2019: The plaque at the other, east, end of this tunnel has been replaced so it's quite likely this one has been too. We need to return to check. 

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Islington Tunnel - west

Subjects commemorated i

Islington Tunnel

960 yards (878 metres) long, designed by James Morgan, built over the three y...

Read More

James Morgan

Probably born in Carmarthen, south Wales. Architect and engineer. Employed by...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Islington Tunnel - west

Created by i

Heritage Lottery Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (rebranded 2019), formerly the Heritage Lo...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Sir John Gurney

Sir John Gurney

EC4, Church Court

We are indebted to Rosemary Jeffreys for the translation from the Latin. The business about "the south part being his own" is partly expl...

1 subject commemorated
David Gestetner

David Gestetner

N5, Highbury New Park, 124

Plaque unveiled by two of his great great grandchildren.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Grove Buildings

Grove Buildings

SW3, Chelsea Manor Street

Grove Buildings is also known as Grove House.

8 subjects commemorated
Sir Charles Vyner Brooke

Sir Charles Vyner Brooke

W2, Albion Street, 13

Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, 1874 - 1963, last Rajah of Sarawak, lived here. Greater London Council

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Edith Cavell plaque

Edith Cavell plaque

E2, Kingsland Road

Cavell was executed by the Germans in Brussels and she figures on our sister site, BrusselsRemembers.

War dead | WW1
2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

Frank. Clare
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Gunner John T. Yates

Gunner John T. Yates

HMS Centurion, Royal Marine Artillery, China

Person

War dead, Other war
1 memorial
Edward Targett

Edward Targett

Resident, aged 19.

Person

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial