CANAL CRIMES

Softcover. The author examines criminal activities on Britain's waterways from Liverpool to London in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Using Old Bailey transcripts and newspapers, the author details cases ranging from a teen’s seven-year transportation for theft to murderers who escaped or faced execution. Highlighted is the 1840 murder and rape of Christina Collins on the Trent & Mersey Canal, with a judge decrying boatmen’s morals. Covering crimes like rape, theft, prostitution, and child abuse, the book vividly captures historical voices of witnesses, legal teams, and the accused. A final chapter reflects on whether modern times are better. The book offers a compelling glimpse into canal crime, with black-and-white photos, though it emphasizes crime over canals. Illus. 157pp. trade size soft cover. As New.