Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, the BCNS

Gibson's Arm Excavations

In Boundary Post edition 173 Ray Shill’s article, entitled BCN Branches and Byeways - Gibson’s Arm, stated “Some branches have been lost completely without trace and without the attention of an archaeo logical excavation will remain so.” Well it has happened:-

Birmingham Archaeology at Birmingham University states that as part of the development of the Library of Birmingham site archaeologists have been involved in investigating the remains of Birmingham’s Industrial heritage. The area of Broad Street and Centenary Square, now the hub of the city’s culture and night life was once a thriving mass of industry fed by countless canal arms that still survive beneath the gardens and plazas. The construction of the Library of Birmingham has allowed a unique chance for archaeologists to investigate these remains that would otherwise have remained undiscovered.

The photograph on the next page cleverly taken by Bob May shows most of this excavation between Birmingham Rep. and Baskerville House and is described here by Ray Shill:- ( The photograph by Bob May is a fisheye view. Was created by taking six wide-angled overlapping photographs and manually cutting and joining them up, then scanning and digitally tidying up.) Will try and obtain a copy for this site. Ed

The excavations at Centenary Square has revealed the former Winfields Rolling Mill, a part of the Gibsons Arm Canal and a part of the Bedstead Works. Winfields were general brass founders but were a pioneering firm in the bedstead trade. They made quality art metal products, but succumbed to strong competition and a debt owed to the Scott family and went in to receivership during 1897 The estate was sold off to various interests, and the brass rolling, tube and wire mills were acquired by a new company. They continued to work this site through to 1936.

Gibson’s Arm was part of a canal system of basins linked to the BCN Newhall Branch by the means of a deep lock. Operation of this lock was controlled initially by Thomas Gibson who developed the former Baskerville residential estate for industrial purposes. There were certain tolls payable for boats passing up the estate, but the agreements varied with the individual leases tenants had with Gibson. Control of the lock eventually passed to Winfield’s Rolling Mills, who received coal by boat for their engine and muffles.

Excavations should be able to determine the actual height above sea level for Gibson’s Arm and the depth of the lock. This lock had two mitre bottom gates and a single top gate. Their last repair and replacement was arranged with the BCN.

Bob May's clever photo of the excavations