However, the death of the Liverpool MP William Huskisson, who fell under the wheels of the Rocket locomotive, marred festivities on the opening day and proved a bad omen.
High import taxes placed by the Port of Liverpool on goods destined for the mills forced landlocked Manchester to think around the problem.
Inspired by the recent building of the Suez Canal, a plan was hatched to connect Manchester with the sea and, in 1894, the
Manchester Ship Canal
was built bringing ships into Salford.
The press mocked the plans for 'Manchester-sur-Mer' but, in by-passing Liverpool with arguably the greatest feat of Victorian engineering, Manchester had shown its spirit for innovation and independence.
And though sea trade soon declined, affecting both cities, Manchester found new commercial ways to thrive as Liverpool's maritime status gradually faded.
It is the source of a rivalry that still exists today.
'A Tale of Two Rival Cities' is on BBC One, Monday 17 May, 7.30pm
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