Runcorn, a small town, situated on the banks of the river Mersey, which is here contracted from a considerable breadth to a very narrow channel, by a point of land projecting from the Lancashire side. The town was originally built by Ethelfieda, queen of the Mercians, in the year 916, she also erected a castle just opposite the gap, as the before-mentioned narrow channel is denominated, for the defence of this extremity of her extensive domain. There are no vestiges of this cattle at present to be seen; but its site is distinguished by the name of the Castle, given to a triangular piece of ground, surrounded by a mound of earth, jutting out into the river, defended on the water-side by a ledge of rocks and broken precipices, and separated from the land by a ditch of about six yards in width. Previous to the completion of the Duke of Bridgewater’s Navigation, which here communicates with the Mersey, Runcorn was but an obscure village. It has since been considerably increased, by the erection of many dwelling-houses, inns, shops, &c. for the accommodation of the great conflux of workmen, and other persons, attending the vast basons, or reservoirs of water, which supply the canal. An immense warehouse has likewise been erected upon a new plan, and various wharfs built for the general accommodation of trade. In addition to the advantages it derives from the navigation, Runcorn has lately become a fashionable place of resort for salt-water bathing; the fine air, the pleasantness of the neighbourhood, and the exhilarating effects of the busy scene upon the river, constituting useful auxiliaries to the effects of the bath in the recovery or consolidating of health. The parish church is situated above the Castle Hock, and was most probably founded at the same time with the town and castle. It was certainly in existence previous to the Norman conquest, since Nigel, baron of Halton, bestowed it on his brother Wilfrith, a priest, in the time of William the Conqueror, It afterwards became the property of Norton Abbey, and on the dissolution of that monastery was given to Christchurch College, Oxford. In the year 1133, William, the son of Nigel, above-mentioned, founded an abbey of canons regular at Runcorn, which was after wards removed by his son William, constable of Chester, to Norton. Free-stone, in considerable quantities, is procured in the quarries in this parish, so contiguous to the canal as to be very easily conveyed to it in blocks of great magnitude, which are used in the works, about the navigation, or carried to various places in its course. At Manchester this stone is sold at eight-pence and ten-pence the square foot. The shore from this village to Weston Point is protected by a low ridge of rock, rising almost perpendicularly from the beach. The botanist may find a pleasing variety of plants, both maritime and inland, in the vicinity of Runcorn.

RUNCORN is a market and union town, a seaport, head of a county court district and petty sessional division, township and large parish, in the Northwich division of the county, hundred of Bucklow, rural deanery of Frodsham and archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, with a station on the London and North Western railway, and is 15 miles east-south-east from Liverpool, 9 west-south-west from Warrington, 4 ½ north from Frodsham and 15 north-east from Chester and 180 ½ from London, on the south side of the river Mersey and at the western terminus of the Bridgewater, Mersey and Irwell, and Trent and Mersey canals. The bridge of the London and North Western railway, which here crosses the Mersey, opened 10 October, 1868, and known as “Tueller's Girder,” is a structure of wrought iron 1,500 feet long, and 95 feet in height above high water mark, and is supported in midstream by two stone piers, 80 feet in depth by 30 feet wide and 300 feet apart, thus forming three openings of 300 feet each, exclusive of the piers and abutments: the bridge has two lines of railway and one footway for passengers, and affords direct communication with Liverpool, Manchester, the manufacturing districts and London. The origin of this place is unknown; it has been called “Runcofan” (A. S. cofa, a cove, the wide cove or inlet), “Rumcoven” and “Ronchestorn.” The town was founded by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, and, to defend it from invasion by the Danes, she built a castle and forts: the rock on which this castle was supposed to have been built, called “Castle Rock,” was removed in 1891 for the construction of the Manchester Ship canal. The river Mersey is contracted, by the out-swelling of both shores, to a width at high water of about 400 yards, and this comparatively narrow passage is known as “Runcorn Gap,” the Ship canal now following the course of its southern shore.

Under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), the town is governed by an Urban District Council of 16 members in place of the former Board of Improvement Commissioners: the town is lighted with gas by a company from works in Halton road and supplied with water from works at the Heath, which also supply Halton and Weston.

The Duke of Bridgewater’s canal, completed and opened in 1773, under the direction of the famous engineer, James Brindley, and now the property of the Manchester Ship Canal Co. has been the chief cause of the rise and increasing prosperity of Runcorn; the canal, which is much above the level of the Mersey, is connected with it, through the Manchester Ship Canal, by a succession of locks.

The Manchester Ship canal approaches Runcorn from the east through the bed of the old Runcorn and Latchford Canal, and, proceeding westward, follows closely the bend of the Cheshire shore to Eastham Locks. The canal, for a short distance near the town, passes through the deepest cutting on the whole route, the depth being 66 feet; but from Runcon bridge to the Weaver sluices the canal is wholly in the bed of the Mersey, and separated from the river by a massive concrete wall. There are extensive docks here in connection with the Bridgewater Canal, of which Fenton dock was opened in 1875 and Arnold dock in 1876. Opposite the Bridgewater dock a lock has been constructed in the river wall of the Ship Canal to enable vessels to enter or leave the canal by the Mersey at any state of the tide: a similar lock has also been made near the old quay for the use of craft from Widnes, and a third opposite Weston Point for the Weaver trade; the business of the Old Quay Navigation Co. here has also been taken over by the Ship Canal Co.

The Port of Runcorn was declared an independent bonding port 5 April, 1847, the limits defined by a Treasury warrant under the Customs’ Act, 1846 (9 and 10 Vict. c. 102), but this order was annulled 16 April, 1850, and the limits, of the port defined to extend from Ince ferry on the Cheshire side and from a point on the opposite side to Bank quay, Warrington. The Port of Runcorn is about 15 miles higher up the river than Liverpool, has extensive warehouse and shed accommodation, and the most approved appliances are provided for the discharge and reloading of vessels. There is a large traffic in potters’ materials, such as china clay, flints, china stones, bone ash &e. as well as a miscellaneous traffic in pig iron, slates, ochre and umber. The exports are mainly coal, salt and pitch. The port is well situated for the transit of traffic, being connected by canal and railway with Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and the Staffordshire Potteries, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the principal towns in the north and centre of England. Vesse’s laden with cargoes for the docks, book at the Manchester Ship Canal Co.’s office, Duke’s dock, on arrival at Liverpool, and are towed up to Runcorn by the Company’s steamers free of charge. The port charges are very favourable to the owners of vessels.

The depth of water in the Mersey at Runcorn is about 3 feet 6 inches less than that given in Holden’s Tide Table for Liverpool, and vessels lie afloat whilst discharging and reloading. Fishing boats and their implements are distinguished by the letters B. N.

The present church of All Saints, erected in 1849 on the site of the ancient church existing here in the 10th century, is a building of stone in the Early English style, consisting of chancel with aisles, clerestoried nave of five bays, aisles, south and west porches and a tower on the south-west with octagonal spire and containing 8 bells: three lancet windows in the chancel are filled with stained glass, the gift of Sir Richard Brooke bart. of Norton Priory: the reredos, of alabaster, was erected in 1888 by Miss Edith Barclay in memory of her father, the Rev. John Barclay M.A. vicar here, 1845—87: the communion table and railings inclosing the sacrarium are constructed of oak belonging to the old church: there are 956 sittings. The register dates legibly from 1660, but there are previous entries from about 1550. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £143; gross yearly value, £501, net £370, with 30 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Christ Church, Oxford, and held since 1887 by the Rev. Alfred Maitland Wood M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, honorary canon of Chester, rural dean of Frodsham, surrogate, and examining chaplain to the Bishop of Chester.

The church of St. Michael and All Angels, in Greenway road, erected in 1884—5 as a chapel of ease to All Saints, is a building of red sandstone, in mixed styles, and originally consisted of nave and aisles, and a turret containing one bell; a chancel was added in 1892, and there are 500 sittings.

Holy Trinity is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1840 from Runcorn All Saints. The church, erected in 1838, is a building of stone in the Lancet style, consisting of chancel, nave, west porch, and an embattled western tower, with pinnacles, containing one bell: the stained east window was given, by Sir Richard and; Lady Brooke, of Norton Priory, and there is also a memorial window, placed in 1890, to William Wright and John his son: in 1888 the chancel was lengthened and fitted with choir stalls, and the organ renovated: the church affords 500 sittings', of which 250 are free: in 1887 the churchyard was purchased, cleared of rubbish, planted with shrubs and inclosed by a wall and railings. The register dates from the year 1838. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £235, with 40 acres, of glebe and residence, in the gift of trustees, and held by the Rev. William Preston D.D. of Trinity College, Dublin, and surrogate.

The Marinerschurch, Irwell lane, erected by the Countess of Ellesmere, is in connection with Holy Trinity church.

The Seamen’s and Boatmen’s Institute, in Station road, which includes a chapel and recreation rooms, was dedicated by the Bishop of Chester, 10 Dec. 1891; the vicar of Runcorn is hon. chaplain, and Mr. William Shaw, licensed lay missionary.

The Catholic chapel, dedicated to St. Ediward, in Irwell lane, and built in 1888, is an iron structure, and will seat 700.

Bethesda Congregational chapel, High street, erected in the year 1835 by John Tomkinson esq. of Liverpool, is a building of stone in the Gothic style; the, interior was destroyed by fire in Sept. 1891, and restored in 1892: the chapel affords 750 sittings.

St. Luke’s (Congregational) Mission chapel, Mason street, was built in 1825, and seats 250 persons.

The Camden Wesleyan chapel, in the Lowland road, was built in 1862, and affords 600 sittings.

The Wesleyan chapel in Halton road, a brick structure with stone front, was built in 1871, and will seat 1,000 persons.

St. Pauls Wesleyan chapel, in High street, erected in 1865—6, at a cost of £6,000, defrayed by Thomas Hazlehurst esq. on land given by Charles and Thomas Hazlehurst, is a structure of brick with freestone frontage in the Classic style, and will seat 1,500 persons.

There is also a Primitive Methodist chapel in Greenway road, a Free Methodist chapel in Ellesmere street, a Welsh Calvinistic chapel in Rutland street, built in 1850, and seating 150 persons; a Gospel Mission hall in Ashridge street, built in 1888; and Salvation Army barracks.

The cemetery, in Greenway road, comprising an area of 7 acres, was formed in 1860, and is under the control of the Urban, District Council acting as a Burial Board; there are two chapels and a mortuary.

The Town Hall, in Waterloo road, is a structure of brick, containing offices for the Urban District Council, School Board, and overseers.

The Brunner Guildhall, originally built in 1818 as a Presbyterian chapel, was enlarged in 1894, and is used for club meetings, &c.

The Public Hall, in Church street, erected by a limited company, is used for public assemblies, entertainments &c.

The Foresters’ Hall, in Bridgewater street, erected in 1836, occupies the upper floor of a building, the lower stage of which consists of shops; the large hall, used for public meetings &c. will hold 550 persons.

The Market Hall in Bridge street, erected in 1856, is an edifice of brick, with stone facings. Market day, Saturday.

The Fire Brigade Station is at Delf bridge, but the keys are kept at the Police Station, Bridge street.

The Custom House is near the docks.

The Theatre Royal, Wellington street, was erected in 1869, and will hold about 1,200.

The County Police Station, in Bridge street, built in 1831, is a plain edifice of red sandstone, and comprises a large room for the petty sessions, and magistrates’ and public business; a spacious court room and a magistrate's retiring room; and in the basement, eight cells; the superintendent of police for the Runcorn division resides on the premises, and has offices here.

The Technical Institute, in Waterloo road, was erected by subscription in 1894, and is used for educational purposes.

The Free Public Library, in Egerton street, established under the provisions of the Public Libraries Act, 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 70), was opened 6 July, 1882; there are now (1896) about 8,000 volumes, and the premises include two reading rooms, one of which is appropriated to Iadies. The library is managed by a committee.

The soap and alkali trades, tanning and iron founding are largely carried on, and there are also quarries of red and grey sandstone.

There are two pleasure fairs held annually, on the 1st Monday in November and on Whit Monday.

The Infectious Diseases Hospital is in Weston road.

The charities for distribution are of £68 yearly value, and there is a yearly sum of £10 from various gifts, for education.

The area of the township is 1,139 acres of land, 40 of water, 137 tidal water and 482 foreshore; rateable value, £60,640; the population in 1881 was 15,126, and in 1891, 20,050; the area of the ecclesiastical parish of Holy Trinity is 1,495 acres. The population of the ecclesiastical parishes in 1891 was-All Saints, 16,144, and Holy Trinity, 5,845.

By Local Government Board Order No. 15,915 (March 24, 1884) and the Divided Parishes Act (1882), a part of Halton township was transferred to Runcorn, and a part of Runcorn added to Halton.

Petty sessions are held at the Petty Sessional court house, Bridge street, at 11 a.m. every Monday, except when a Bank holiday, then the day following he following places are in the petty sessional division:-Aston-by-Sutton, Aston Grange, Clifton, Halton, Norton, Runcorn, Stockham, Sutton & Weston.

Runcorn Union

Board day, alternate Tuesdays, at the Dutton Workhouse, at 12.30 p.m. he union is divided into three districts:-Runcorn, Frodsham & Budworth, & includes the following townships:-Acton Grange, Alvanley, Antrobus, Appleton, Aston, Aston Grange, Bartington, Budworth, Clifton, Crowley, Daresbury, Dutton, Frodsham, Frodsham Lordship, Grappenhall, Halton, Hatton, Helsby, Kekewick, Kingsley, Kingswood, Latchford (without), Manley, Moore, Newton-by-Daresbury, Newton-by-Frodsham, Norley, Norton, Preston-on-the-Hill, Runcorn, Sevenoaks, Stockham, Stretton, Sutton, Thelwall, Walton Superior, Walton Inferior, Weston, Whitley Superior & Whitley Inferior. The population of the union in 1891 was 42,517; area, 50,468 acres; rateable value in 1896, £242,381.

Workhouse, Dutton, a building of brick, built to hold 232 inmates.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of Services

All Saints’ Parish Church, Rev. Canon Alfred Maitland Wood M.A. vicar; Revs. H. B. Firth B.A., H. C. Moyle B.A. & W. Scholes B.A. curates; 8 & 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; daily 10.30 a.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Holy Trinity Church, Rev. William Preston D.D. vicar; Rev. A. H. Bartram, curate; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

St. Michael’s & All Angels (chapel of ease to All Saints’), Greenway road; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Catholic, St. Edward, Irwell lane; Rev. John Baptiste Gastaldi D.D. priest; mass 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Benediction 6.30 p.m.

Seamen’s & Boatmen’s Mission Room, Station road, Mr. William Shaw, officiating missionary; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Mariners’ Church, Irwell lane; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

St. Paul Wesleyan, High street, Rev. Thomas Brackenbury; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

St. Luke Congregational, Mason st.; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Bethesda Congregational, High street, Rev. John Simpson; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Presbyterian, Victoria road, vacant.

Primitive Methodist, Greenway road, Rev. Thomas Bramall; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

United Methodist Free Church, Ellesmere street, Rev. John Stafford; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Welsh Calvinistic, Rutland street, Rev, J. H. Hughes.

Wesleyan Mission (Camden), Lowland road; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

Wesleyan, Halton road, Rev. William George; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.

SCHOOLS

A School Board of 7 members was formed January 8, 1875; George Moss, Town hall, clerk to the board; Thomas Bowyer & George Howard, Town hall, attendance officers; offices, Town hall.

Board (girls & infants), Granville street; erected about 1845 for 250 girls & 180 infants; average attendance, 200 girls & 130 infants.

Board (mixed), Greenway Road, built in 1885 of brick with stone facings, is a handsome structure in the Gothic style, to hold 274 boys & 203 girls; average attendance, 261 boys & 194 girls.

Board (boys), Brunswick street, built in 1827 as a Wesleyan chapel, it will hold 285 children; average attendance, 231.

Mill Brow Board (infants), Heath road, for 124 children; average attendance, 119.

All Saints’ National, Church street (boys, girls & infants), built in 1812 & since enlarged; the school will hold 389 boys, 320 girls & 292 infants; average attendance, 360 boys, 266 girls & 252 infants.

Newton Church Mission, Shaw street, built in 1868 & enlarged in 1888 & again in 1892, for 190 children; average attendance, 190.

Trinity National, Pool lane (mixed & infants), built in 1848, with an infants’ school erected in 1839; it will hold 631 children; average attendance, 275 boys & girls & 190 infants.

Catholic (St. Edwards) (mixed & infants), Windmill street, for 134 boys & girls & 106 infants; average attendance, 122 mixed & 104 infants.