When it opened on 22 February 1819 a general holiday was called and crowds of spectators, reportedly 60,000, gathered to watch the first boats, a flotilla of 10 arrive from Tinsley.
Nowadays it is a place to escape city life, enjoy a barging holiday or spot of fishing. We have dug out 20 great pictures from the archive showing the people who give the canals its character.
Want more Sheffield retro? Meadowhall shoppers, Read how Sheffield’s weather station played a vital role in WW2
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.
The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online.
Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.
Thank you
Nancy Fielder, editor
13. Good Samaritan
British Waterways worker Francis Potts, who helped save a drowning deer from the canal at Thorne in 2001 Photo: steve taylor
14. Cutting the ribbon
Ian White the Regional Director British Waterways North East cutting the ribbon to officially open the Halfpenny Bridge spanning the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, Tinsley, Sheffield in 2001 watched by Keith Ellis Waterway manager for South Yorkshire Navigations Photo: Chris Lawton
15. Canal book author
John Alcock author of book about the Sheffield and Tinsleu Canal in 2001 Photo: Barry Richardson (Staff)
16. Water weekend
Water weekend on the canal, New Inn Stainforth.Inside the Humber Keel docked on the canal enjoying pictures from the past is Marion Berry with her Grandsons Thomas Berry, 11, Connor Berry, 9 and Nathan Berry, aged 6 in 2002 Photo: Andrew Partridge