Locked in the Canal
By Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (17950)
London, England
February 27, 2019 12:31pm CST
Over the weekend I found out that work was being done on the canal lock at Cowley, and that for one day it was open to the public. I remember as a youngster seeing the lock gates being replaced in the late 60s, I think, but back then there was no access for visitors.
Times change and now they are keen to promote the canal for leisure, so it is fairly busy all year round, but especially in summer.
The canal and lock was built in the late 18 century and while updated in places this was basically the cutting edge of transport technology at the time.
Quite impressive. The lock chamber, where the boats wait as the water level falls and rises, is all brick and still in good condition, with openings for the system of shafts and shutters that control the water flow in and out of the chamber. The wooden lock gates last about 20-25 years.
I was quite surprised at the depth of the chamber, about 15 feet, but as that is the height difference between the upper and lower sections of the canal, I can't think why!
12 people like this
12 responses
@snowy22315 (170892)
• United States
27 Feb 19
@Ronrybs I went to see an apartment one time..and it overlooked a canal. It was really pretty cool.
2 people like this
@Ronrybs (17950)
• London, England
28 Feb 19
@snowy22315 I don't live too far from the canal and I am slightly downhill, so I sometimes worry about it after a lot of rain!
1 person likes this
@WiseGhots (14607)
•
27 Feb 19
Quite impressive. - You've said all with this line.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (49216)
• United States
25 Mar 19
Thanks for sharing the cool photos.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49216)
• United States
25 Mar 19
In the middle photo it looks like an arched window like opening.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29245)
• United Kingdom
22 Mar 19
They are really interesting, and their history too. I was fascinated to read that before they were invented, there were things called 'flash locks' on rivers - basically water was collected behind some sort of barricade, and then when it was opened boats were just swept downstream with the flow. As for going up, they just had to be pulled, often by manpower, and there were no towpaths. I can't think how they did it!
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17950)
• London, England
22 Mar 19
The ones I have seen illustrated were called guillotine locks and a wooden panel was pulled up and as you say the force of the water dragged you along. If my information is correct there is a surviving example by Telford and I am hoping to get there this summer and have a look
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16550)
• China
28 Feb 19
Well done ! They advanced with times and made the canal and lock a tourist destination.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
28 Feb 19
Look at that Ron!! Such marvelous work they did.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
28 Feb 19
@Ronrybs Oh yes by hand even. Masters they were.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73920)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Mar 19
Sounds fascinating to see all this.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Feb 19
I wonder if they found any interesting stuff in the muck.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
13 Mar 19
Wow that's amazing how well that held up for being underwater all those years
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
13 Mar 19
@Ronrybs Me too, but not sure that I want to look in there either lol
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
1 Mar 19
I'd be wondering what would happen if the water came back suddenly!
1 person likes this
