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Standedge-Tunnels

2009-03-18T16:50:59Z

Mayalld: general fixes using AWB

[[Image:Standedge Tunnel End, Marsden, West Yorkshire.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The tunnel entrance at Marsden]]
{{Standedge Tunnel map}}
{{Location map|United Kingdom
|label =
|background = white
|lat = 53.591283
|long = -1.95996
|caption = Map showing the location of the Standedge Tunnels in the United Kingdom
|float = right
|width = 185
}}

The '''Standedge Tunnels''' (Standedge is normally pronounced ''Stannige'') are four [[Parallel (geometry)|parallel]] [[tunnel]]s that run beneath the [[Pennines]] at the traditional [[Standedge]] crossing point between [[Marsden, West Yorkshire|Marsden]] and [[Diggle, Greater Manchester|Diggle]], on the edges of the [[conurbation]]s of [[West Yorkshire]] and [[Greater Manchester]] respectively, in northern [[England]].

There are three [[Rail transport|railway]] tunnels and a [[canal]] tunnel (on the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]]). The canal tunnel is the longest and oldest of the tunnels, and holds the record as the longest and highest canal tunnel in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. All four tunnels are linked by cross-tunnels or [[adit]]s at strategic locations within the tunnels. The adits allowed the railway tunnels to be built much more quickly by allowing 'waste spoil'(sic) to be removed by boat and reducing the need for shafts for construction.

Of the railway tunnels, only the tunnel built in 1894 is currently used for rail traffic. Closed in 1943, the canal tunnel was re-opened in May 2001. The '''Standedge Visitors Centre''', at the Marsden end of the tunnel, serves as a base for boat trips into the canal tunnel and hosts an exhibition which depicts the various crossings.

==The canal tunnel==
The Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It is {{convert|5029|m}} long, {{convert|194|m}} underground at the deepest point, and {{convert|196|m}} above sea level.<ref name = Visitor_Centre>{{cite web | url = http://www.standedge.co.uk/index.htm | title = Standedge Tunnel - A true wonder of the waterways | publisher = British Waterways | accessdate = 2009-01-23 }}</ref>

===Construction===
[[Benjamin Outram]] was the consulting engineer for the construction of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (then known as the Huddersfield Canal), which links the towns of [[Ashton-under-Lyne]] and [[Huddersfield]] through the tunnel. However, Outram had so many commitments that construction took place under the supervision of a young and inexperienced surveyor, Nicholas Brown.

Layout of the tunnel was difficult. It would be necessary to lay out a straight line across the mountain top and calculate how deep below the canal would be. At intervals, pits would be sunk to the requisite depth and the tunnel dug outwards from their bases.

In addition it was necessary to drive drainage adits. Outram had given his opinion that the hill was composed of gritstone and strong shale and should not present any difficulties. In fact he had not expected the need for a lining. It was an extremely ambitious undertaking for the time and Outram was not yet an established engineer, though he had gained experience with the [[Butterley Tunnel]] on the [[Cromford Canal]]. Nevertheless more than the expected amount of water entered the workings.

The adits allowed so-called 'water engines' to be used. These were simply two buckets on a rope which ran over a pulley at the top of the shaft. One bucket would be filled with spoil from the workings and the other would be filled with water which counterbalance the spoil causing it to rise to the top. Once unloaded, the water would be drained allowing the spoil bucket to fall for another load. Although steam engine pumps were tried, they proved inefficient and expensive to run. A further problem was maintaining an adequate air supply for the workers. This was achieved by injecting water in a fine spray at the top of the shaft, which would carry sufficient fresh air down with it.

Work on the tunnel was fraught with difficulty and progress was slow. Gunpowder was used to blast through the solid rock and the work took place by candlelight. In ''circa'' 1801, Outram resigned from his post in order to devote himself entirely to work at [[Butterley Company|Benjamin Outram and Company]], which was expanding rapidly. Following his resignation, [[Thomas Telford]] was called in to advise on the tunnel's completion. Before completion, a severe misalignment was found in the tunnel due to inaccuracy on the part of the surveyor who originally laid it out. The tunnel was finally pierced through in 1809.

The canal tunnel was brick-lined in places, though bare rock was left exposed in others.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways>{{cite web | url=http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield/standedge3.htm | title = History | publisher = Pennine Waterways | accessdate = 2006-10-16}}</ref>

===Re-financing===
By 1804, work was well behind schedule and financially overstretched. Digging was progressing at each end of the tunnel, but the central section was untouched. Moreover there were problems along the canal from unworkable economies of design and bad workmanship, but also the disorganising effect of interference by the canal committee who, to be fair, were not experts in engineering matters, but were periodically starved of funds. In 1805, a further Act of Parliament was sought to raise more investment and [[Thomas Telford]] was asked to prepare a programme for completing the work.

===Completion===
The tunnel eventually opened in 1811, and the canal then became a through route 13 years after the rest of it had been completed and 17 years after work first began, at a cost of £123,803. Despite multiple problems, the building of the Huddersfield Narrow canal showed that the technique of quantity surveying had advanced greatly. Telford's report covered every expenditure to the last bucket; it was followed to the letter and the canal finally opened in 1811. Between 1811 and 1840 the tunnel was used on average by 40 boats daily.<ref> ''The Saddleworth Story, by Mary Hodge'', p. 19. 5th reprint, 1994. http://www.saddleworth-historical-society.org.uk/bibliography.htm</ref>

===Method of operation===
The canal tunnel is only wide enough for one [[narrowboat]] for much of its length, and to save on cost, as in some other canal tunnels in England, no [[towpath|tow-path]] was provided in the tunnel. As canal boats were horse-drawn, the boats had to be [[Legging (canals)|legged]] through the tunnel - a process where one or more boatmen lay on the cargo and pushed against the roof or walls of the tunnel with their legs.

There are several widened points in the tunnel, originally designed to be passing places. However, due to intense competition between boat crews, two-way operation in the tunnel was found to be unpracticable. The canal company introduced a new method of working where one end of the tunnel was closed off by a locked chain, preventing access to the tunnel unless authorised. A similar system is used today.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===The railway influence===
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal was purchased by the former [[Huddersfield and Manchester Railway]] in 1846. The canal tunnel proved most beneficial in assisting with the construction of the first railway tunnel at this location, as no vertical shafts were needed in the construction and the canal was an easy way to help remove the large amount of spoil excavated. Several cross-passages were retained.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===Closure===
The last commercial boat to use the tunnel passed through in 1921, and the canal was officially closed in 1944, after which it soon fell into disrepair. One boat managed to struggle from one end of the canal to the other in 1948, but this soon became impracticable as the canal was blocked at several locations on both sides of the Pennines.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

The canal tunnel became unsafe, and was closed off by large iron gates at each end. A conventional narrowboat would have been unable to navigate the tunnel due to several rockfalls inside.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===Restoration and modern-day operation===
The canal tunnel was the beneficiary of a £5 million restoration project as part of an effort to re-open the entire canal. Several rock-lined parts of the tunnel were found to be unstable. Where possible, these were stabilised by rock bolts, or where impractical, concrete was used to stabilise the rock face. The tunnel re-opened in May 2001.

Most modern canal boats are diesel-powered. When the canal was reopened it was felt that it would not be safe for boaters to navigate the tunnel under their own diesel power, due to the extreme length of the tunnel and the lack of ventilation. Instead, electric tug boats haul narrowboats through the tunnel.<ref name = Modern_Use>{{cite web | url = http://www.huddersfieldcanal.com/canal/tunnel.htm | title = Modern Operation | publisher = Huddersfield Canal Society | accessdate = 2009-01-23}}</ref>

===Future operation===
In September 2007, it was identified that significant repairs were required to one of the electric tug modules, and [[British Waterways]] carried out a trial run for self-steer operation. The trip boat Pennine Moonraker was taken through the tunnel under her own power by owner John Lund, shadowed by a BW electric tug. The outcome of these trials is awaited.

==The railway tunnels==
There are three railway tunnels, running parallel to each other and the canal tunnel. The rail tunnels are level for their whole length providing the only section of level track on the line where [[water trough]]s could be installed to provide steam locomotives with fresh water supplies without the requirement for the train to stop.

===The 1848 tunnel===
The first railway tunnel at Standedge was completed by the [[London and North Western Railway]] in 1848, having acquired the former Huddersfield and Manchester Railway in 1847. This was a single line tunnel with a length of 3 miles, 57 yards (4803 m). The tunnel is located immediately to the south of, but at a slightly higher level than, the canal tunnel. Cross-passages or adits were dug linking the canal tunnel to the rail tunnel to facilitate the removal of spoil during construction.<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref><ref name=hud1cf>{{cite web | title = Huddersfield Narrow Canal Facts| url = http://www.huddersfield1.co.uk/huddersfield/narrowcanal/huddscanalfacts.htm | publisher = Huddersfield One | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The 1871 tunnel===
The single track 1848 tunnel soon proved to be a bottleneck for rail traffic between Huddersfield and Manchester, and in 1871 a second parallel tunnel was opened. This tunnel was also a single line tunnel with a length of 3 miles, 57 yards (4803 m), and was situated to the south of the first rail tunnel, to which it is linked by adits.<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The 1894 tunnel===
In 1894 the London and North Western Railway opened a third rail tunnel, with double track and a length of 3 miles, 60 yards (4806 m). For most of its length, it is situated to the north of the canal tunnel, but passes over the canal tunnel just inside each tunnel entrance. The 1894 tunnel is linked to the 1848 tunnel by adits which pass above the canal tunnel; railway passengers can see the white painted arches of these adits near the ground on the southern side of the tunnel. This tunnel is the third longest rail tunnel in Britain after the [[Severn Tunnel]] and the [[Sheffield]] to Manchester route's [[Totley Tunnel]].<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The rail tunnels today===
Today only the 1894 rail tunnel is still used for rail traffic, although all three rail tunnels are still maintained. The 1848 tunnel is used to provide an emergency escape route for the other tunnels, and has been made accessible to road vehicles such as [[fire engine]]s and [[ambulance]]s. All passages through the canal tunnel are accompanied by a vehicle in the 1848 tunnel for safety purposes.

==The Visitors' Centre==
[[Image:Standedge-tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal]]
The Standedge Visitors Centre is situated at the Marsden end of the tunnel. It is located in the former warehouse, used for [[transshipment]] of goods from canal barge to [[packhorse]] during the period between 1798, when the canal reached Marsden, and 1811, when the tunnel opened. The centre contains exhibitions on the history of the tunnels, and on the canal tunnel's recent restoration.

The nearby ''Tunnel End Cottages'', which formerly housed canal maintenance workers, house a cafe and the booking office for 30 minute boat trips into the tunnel. These trips use the same electric tugs as are used to tow private boats through the tunnel, in this case pushing a passenger carying barge.

The visitors centre is situated about half a mile (0.8 km) to the west of [[Marsden railway station]] and can easily be reached from the station by walking along the [[towpath]] of the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], which runs adjacent to the station. Adjacent to the station is the headquarters of the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]'s [[Marsden Moor Estate]], which includes a public exhibition, ''Welcome to Marsden'', that gives an overview of the area and its transport history.<ref name=ntwhat>{{cite web | title = Marsden Moor - What to see and do | publisher = National Trust | accessdate = 2006-12-24 | url = http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-marsdenmoorestate/w-marsdenmoor-seeanddo.htm }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of Great Britain]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==External links==
*Aerial photos of the {{mmuknr photo|400590|407965|5|Diggle portal}} and the {{mmuknr photo|403990|411930|5|Marsden portal}}
*[http://www.standedge.co.uk/ Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre]
*[http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Standedge_Tunnel/sid2082 Waterscape services directory]
*[http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield/standedge1.htm Standedge Tunnel]
*[http://www.tripsbytrain.com/trip0104/index.html A walk between Marsden Station and Standedge Tunnel] from TripsByTrain.com

{{coord|53.59107|N|1.96219|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SE026105)|display=title}}

[[Category:Canal tunnels in England]]
[[Category:Railway tunnels in England]]
[[Category:Transport in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Rail transport in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Oldham]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kirklees]]
[[Category:Kirklees]]

Shiplake Lock

2009-03-18T16:32:20Z

Mayalld: general fixes, removed Stub tag using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Shiplake Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image = Shiplake-lock-1.jpg
|caption = Shiplake lock looking downstream with Shiplake Railway Bridge in the distance
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|length = 133’ 4” (40.64m)
|width = 18’ 3” (5.56m)
|fall = 5’ 1” (1.55m)
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1874
|sealevel = 110'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 49 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
|map_image=
|coordinates =
|lat =
|long =
}}
{{Shiplake Lock map}}
'''Shiplake Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in England near the village of [[Shiplake]], [[Oxfordshire]]. It is just above the points where the [[River Loddon]] joins the Thames and [[Shiplake Railway Bridge]] crosses the river. The first pound lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1773.

The weir is some distance upstream of the lock between the lock island and [[Berkshire]] bank.

==History==
There is reference to the weir and [[flash lock]] at this location in the 16th century when it was known as "Cotterell's", a name which persisted after the [[pound lock]] was built. It was the second downstream of the eight locks built after the navigation act of 1770, and was completed in fir wood in 1773. At this time the towpath upstream was transferred from the Berkshire to the Oxfordshire bank. The lock had to be rebuilt of oak in 1787 as the fir had decayed. There were two mills on the island at this time. The lock was rebuilt again in 1874 and the weir in 1885. The lock island was purchased by the City of London Corporation for camping in 1889, and in 1907 the ruined mills were demolished.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> Shiplake Lock was the first lock on the Thames to have hydraulic operation installed in 1961.

==Access to the lock==
The lock can be reached from [[Lower Shiplake]] down Mill Road, and into Mill Lane, where it is a short walk across a field to the lock

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:ShiplakeRiver01.JPG|left|thumb|Shiplake on the hill from near The Lynch]]
[[Image:Thames near sonning.JPG|thumbnail|left|The River Thames near Sonning.]]
The river skirts Shiplake on the Oxfordshire bank and eventually passes into [[Sonning]]. [[Phillimore Island]] is just above the lock, and on the hill on the Shiplake bank is Shiplake House now the premises of [[Shiplake College]]. The college boat house is on the river bank at this point. Further on there is a double bend with two large islands [[The Lynch]], and [[Hallsmead Ait]] followed by [[Buck Ait]]. On the bank opposite the Ait is [[St Patrick's Stream]]. This stream is believed to have been a tributary stream of the River Loddon which became an outfall when the water level was raised by the building of Shiplake Lock.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> Apart from a small development here, the river banks are open fields to [[Sonning Bridge]]. Sonning lock is a short was upstream of the bridge, but there is a large backwater branching before the bridge on the [[Sonning Eye]] side which is crossed by [[Sonning Backwater Bridges]].

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]] stays on the Oxfordshire bank to Sonning, where it crosses the bridge to the other side and continues to Sonning Lock.

==Literature and the media==
Shiplake Lock was a favourite place for fishing for the young [[George Orwell]] and his [[Jacintha Buddicom|Buddicom]] friends.<ref>Jacintha Buddicom ''Eric & Us'' 2nd ed Finlay Publisher 2006</ref>

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Image:Shiplake-pano-1.jpg|550px|left|Shiplake Lock from downstream with the weir stream to the left]]
{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Sonning Lock]] 2.91 miles|downstream=[[Marsh Lock]] 2.98 miles|location=SU776786}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.50102|N|0.88343|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU776786)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Mapledurham Lock

2009-03-13T15:18:02Z

Mayalld: general fixes, removed Stub tag using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Mapledurham Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Mapledurham_Lock.jpg|thumb|right|]]
|caption= Mapledurham Lock on a fine August day
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1778
|latest = 1908
|length = 202’ 5” (61.69m)
|width = 21’ 1” (6.42m)
|fall = 6’ 9” (2.05m)
|sealevel = 127'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 59 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
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| extra=
}}
{{Mapledurham Lock map}}

'''Mapledurham Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in [[England]]. The lock was first built in 1777 by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]] and the present lock dates from 1908.

Despite its name, Mapledurham Lock is located by the [[Berkshire]] village of [[Purley-On-Thames]], rather than at the [[Oxfordshire]] village of [[Mapledurham]], which is on the other side of the river. No access is possible across the weir, and without a boat, journeys between the two villages require a lengthy detour via [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] or [[Pangbourne]].

The weir stretches level with the lock from the lock island in a long curve across the river between the two villages. The weir still provides a head of water to drive [[Mapledurham Watermill]] which is on the opposite side of the river. The weir is also the furthest upstream on the Thames that has a [[fish ladder|salmon ladder]].

==History==
[[Image:Mapledurham Weir.JPG|thumb|left|The weir, viewed from the Mapledurham side of the river]]
Mapledurham mill dates back to [[Domesday Book]], and the weir was probably connected to it then, although the earliest actual reference to the weir is in the time of [[Edward I of England|Edward I]]. The mill was attached to the property of [[Mapledurham House]] owned by the Blount family who have always had an interest in the weir. There was a [[flash lock]] at the weir as passage through this was stopped at the opening of the pound lock in 1777. The lock was built of fir on the Purley side of the river and was to be called Purley Lock. However local custom retained the old name. A cottage was ordered for the lock-keeper in 1816. During the 19th century there were disputes between the lock keeper William Sheppard and the Blount family of Mapledurham House. However despite Blount's representations to the Conservators, Sheppard remainded in post for fifty-four years, retiring at the age of 79. A new and greatly enlarged lock was built beside the old one in 1908.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

Mapledurham Mill is still functioning across the river from the lock, making this the only lock and weir combination on the Thames that supports the two functions that were originally the norm on river navigations. As both mill and navigation are now principally tourist enterprises, this no longer leads to the sort of conflicts between milling and navigation interests that were once common on the river.

==Access to the lock==
The lock is accessible from Purley, by going down Mapledurham Drive, a metalled lane that turns to gravel.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:River Thames above Mapledurham Lock.JPG|thumb|left|The River Thames above Mapledurham Lock]]
The river is in open country nearly all the way to [[Pangbourne]] and has been described by [[Robert Gibbings]] writing in 1939 (''Sweet Thames Run Softly'') as so crowded with views "they might have dropped from the gold frames of the [[Royal Academy]]".

After Mapledurham, [[Hardwick House]] is visible on the northern side of the river. Pangbourne Meadows, owned by the National Trust, lie to the south of the river before [[Whitchurch Bridge]]. This toll bridge crosses the river between Pangbourne and [[Whitchurch-on-Thames|Whitchurch]]. Between the bridge and Whitchurch Lock, the [[River Pang]] joins the Thames from the south.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' follows the southern bank to Whitchurch Bridge, where it crosses the river. (Although this is a toll bridge, pedestrians are no longer charged).

==Literature and the Media==
The artist [[E. H. Shepherd]] who illustrated [[The Wind in the Willows]] made many drawings in this area, and Toad Hall is said to be based on either Mapledurham House or Hardwick Hall nearby.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Whitchurch Lock]] 2.28 miles|downstream=[[Caversham Lock]] 4.40 miles|location=SU667768}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.48623|N|1.04078|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU667768)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

London Canal Museum

2009-03-13T15:05:20Z

Mayalld: general fixes using AWB

'''London Canal Museum''' is situated in the [[King's Cross (London)|King's Cross]] area of [[London]], [[England]], beside Battlebridge Basin on the [[Regent's Canal]]. The museum was opened in 1992. The building was constructed around 1860 as a warehouse for ice imported from [[Norway]] by [[ship]] and canal barge.
[[Image:london canal museum.jpg|frame|right|London Canal Museum]]

There are two preserved ice wells under the building, one of which may be viewed from the public area of the museum.

The exhibitions cover the following topics:

* Introduction to UK waterways
* Canal life (social history)
* Canal art
* Lifting and handling cargo
* The ice trade
* Canal craft
* Working horses on the canals and the streets
* The Regent's Canal
* Large scale historical map of London's canals
* Water and locks
* The museum's Bantam Tug
* Changing temporary exhibitions

There are special events, evening illustrated talks, and summer activities for children. The museum is independent and self funded. It is run and managed almost completely by volunteers. It is often used as a venue for private functions out of opening hours and this provides income to support it. There is a substantial commitment to education and a range of educational resources are available.

The museum has a track record of innovation as regards Internet based initiatives. It was the first UK museum to introduce a WAPsite for mobile phones, including a WAPwalk, a guided canal towpath walk using the WAPsite. It was one of London's first museums to become a Wi-Fi hotspot. In September 2007 it became the first UK museum to offer a[http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/podcasts.htm podcast audio tour] of its permanent exhibitions, for the visitor to download in advance and play on his/her own MP3 player. A towpath walking tour is also offered in the same MP3 format.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[British Waterways]]
*[[London Transport Museum]]

== External links ==
{{coord|51.5339|-0.1204|type:landmark|display=title}}
* [http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ London Canal Museum website]
* [http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/virtualtour1.htm London Canal Museum online tour]
* [http://www.citymayors.com/transport/london-canals.html Article on London's canal network]

[[Category:Museums established in 1992]]
[[Category:Canals in London|Museum, London Canal]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Islington]]
[[Category:Museums in London|Canal Museum, London]]
[[Category:Transport museums in England]]

Cookham Lock

2009-03-10T11:08:33Z

Mayalld: general fixes, removed Stub tag using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Cookham Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Cookham Lock, Berkshire.JPG|thumb|right|
|caption= Cookham Lock, Berkshire
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1830
|latest = 1957
|length = 183' 0" (55.77m)
|width = 25' 0" (7.62m)
|fall = 4' 3" (1.30m)
|sealevel = 81'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 33 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Cookham Lock map}}
[[Image:CookhamLock01.JPG|right|thumb|Lock and the wooded banks beyond]]
'''Cookham Lock''' is a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] with [[weir]]s situated on the [[River Thames]] near [[Cookham]], [[Berkshire]]. The lock is set in a lock cut which is one of four streams here and it is surrounded by woods. Next to the lock island is [[Formosa Island]], the largest on the non-tidal Thames.

There are several weirs here. Hedsor weir was placed across the old navigation channel in 1837, seven years after the lock was opened. There is a lower weir, and Odney weir is on the channel next to Formosa Island.

==History==

The navigation route was formerly down [[Hedsor Water]] and the only weir was associated with the mill. After the building of [[Marlow Lock]] in 1773 there were problems with shallow water upstream, and the earliest suggestions were for a stop at Cookham to hold the water back. In 1794 it was considered one of the most dangerous parts on the river, mainly on account of chalk boulders falling into the Thames. However nothing happened until 1829 when a cut and lock were agreed upon, the cut going through the northernmost island called The Sashes. Part of the cut was formed from an existing Sashes Stream, and an Ait was removed at the lower end of the cut. The lock opened in 1830, but no weir was built at this time.

In 1832 [[Baron Boston|Lord Boston]] of [[Hedsor House]] claimed compensation for loss of towpath rights along Hedsor Water which he was granted. In 1837 a weir was found necessary and built, leading to further litigation from Lord Boston for loss of trade to the wharf he owned there. This time the only compensation he received was the building of a [[flash lock]] in the weir. This was removed when the lock was rebuilt in 1869, as Lord Boston had built [[eel buck]]s in the stream in the meantime.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

The lock was rebuilt in 1957.

==Access to the lock==

There is a road from Cookham to Formosa Island and the lock.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:CookhamLockReach02.JPG|left|thumb|Water meadows above Cookham]]

After the streams rejoin above the lock, the river is crossed by [[Cookham Bridge]]. Along the reach on the [[Buckinghamshire]] bank is [[Bourne End, Buckinghamshire|Bourne End]] where the [[River Wye, Buckinghamshire|River Wye]] joins the Thames. [[Bourne End Railway Bridge]], which includes a footbridge, crosses the river here. Along the Berkshire bank there are water meadows. There are [[navigation transit markers]] just downstream of Bourne End Railway Bridge, to allow river users to check their speed.
[[Image:CookhamLockReach01.JPG|left|thumb|Wooded hillsides by the river]]
Further upstream towards the Berkshire bank are the [[Gibraltar Islands]] which lie in front of Quarry Wood. There are then steep hills overhanging the river at [[Cookham Dean]] where the house called "The Mount", where [[Kenneth Graham]] lived as a child is situated. He based much of his book on this part of the Thames which is described as ''[[Wind in the Willows]] country''.

As the ground levels, the [[Marlow By-pass Bridge]] crosses the river a little way downstream of Marlow Lock.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]], which has passed through Cookham rather than by the lock, runs from Cookham Bridge along the southern bank until Bourne End Railway Bridge, where there is a footbridge. The path crosses this footbridge and then goes along the northern bank to Marlow.

==Literature and the Media==

Cookham was home to the artist [[Stanley Spencer]] whose works include ''[[Swan Upping]] at Cookham''.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Marlow Lock]] 4.00 miles|downstream=[[Boulter's Lock]] 2.08 miles|location=SU906855}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.5613|N|0.695442|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Blake’s Lock

2009-03-03T17:29:36Z

Mayalld: general fixes using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Blakes's Lock
|image=
|caption=
|waterway = [[River Kennet]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Manual
|first = 1802
|latest =
|length = 122' 8" (37.39m)
|width = 18' 11" (5.75m)
|fall = 3' 6" (1.07m)
|sealevel = 120'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 55 miles
|endb = [[Bristol Harbour]]
|distendb = 87 miles
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Blakes Lock map}}
'''Blake's Lock''' is a [[Canal lock|lock]] situated on the [[River Kennet]] in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], [[England]]. It is on the short reach of the River Kennet which is administered as if it were part of the [[River Thames]] and is hence owned and managed by the [[Environment Agency]].

Blake's was originally a [[flash lock]], and once owned by the then Kennet & Avon Company. It was converted to a timber-constructed [[pound lock]] in 1802 to improve navigation from the Thames into the River Kennet enabling boats to travel all the way to the [[Bristol]] area. The lock retains its manual beams (not the originals, new beams were fitted in 2006), so far avoiding the progress towards hydraulic power.<ref>{{cite web | title=Blake's Lock | work=River Thames Guide | url=http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3687.htm | accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref> <ref> {{cite book |last=Pearson |first=Michael |authorlink= |title=Kennet & Avon Middle Thames:Pearson's Canal Companion |year=2003 |publisher=Central Waterways Supplies|location=Rugby |isbn=0-907864-97-X}} </ref>

Next to the lock is the riverside museum which tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames.The museum occupies two former industrial buildings, the Screen House and the Turbine House.<ref>{{cite web | title=Riverside Museum | work=Reading Library Service | url=http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/galleries/blakes.htm | accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref>

*Contact Telephone Number: 0118 957 2251<ref>{{cite web | title=Lock Statistics | work=Floating Down the River | url=http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/locks2.htm | accessdate=2006-11-13}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal]]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Kennet]] / [[Kennet and Avon Canal]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[County Lock]]|downstream=[[Sonning Lock]] (on [[River Thames]])|location=SU727735}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.45582|N|0.95506|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU727735)|display=title}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Reading, Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal]]

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}
{{water-stub}}

Kingsland Basin

2009-03-03T12:21:48Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

'''Kingsland Basin''' is a [[canal basin]] in [[Kingsland, London]], part of the [[Borough of Hackney]]. The basin is located off the [[Regents Canal]].

The basin is a site of planned redevelopment.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.chug.org.uk/ Canals in Hackney Users Group website]
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2007/04/12/pcanals112.xml Telegraph newspaper, 12/04/2007 article: "Unlocking London's best-kept secret"]
*[http://www.hced.co.uk/newsite/Projects/general/Kingsland_Basin.htm Basin redevelopment plans]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-introduction-summary.pdf Hackney Council Draft Report on the Kingsland Basin Urban Development Framework Stage 1]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-2-urban-context.pdf Site Information and Urban Context]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-3-planning-context.pdf Planning Context]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-4-constraints-opportunities.pdf Strengths/weaknesses]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-5-indicative-develoment-diagram.pdf Indicative Development Diagram]
*[http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ep-6-design-ideas-conclusion.pdf Design ideas and principles]
*[http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/dalston.htm Old Ordnance Survey maps of Dalston and Kingsland]

{{coord|51.537303|-0.077989|display=title}}

[[Category:Regent's Canal]]
[[Category:Docks in London]]
[[Category:Redevelopment projects in London]]

{{London-geo-stub}}
{{UK-canal-stub}}

Bow Creek

2009-03-02T13:43:39Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

[[Image:Bow Locks3.jpg|right|thumb|[[Bow Creek]] (tidal) (far left) meets the [[Limehouse Cut]] (canal, right), at [[Bow Locks]] on the [[Lee Navigation]] (centre); with a view of London's [[London Docklands|Docklands]]]]
[[Image:Bow Creek (flooding).jpg|thumb|right|Bow Creek flooding at high tide]]
'''Bow Creek''' is a {{convert|2.25|mi|km|1}} long tidal estuary of the [[River Lee (England)|River Lee]] and is part of the [[Bow Back Rivers]]. Below [[Bow Locks]] the creek forms the boundary between the [[London Borough]]s of [[London Borough of Newham|Newham]] and [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]], in [[east London, England|East London]].

This natural channel is accessible from the artificial [[Lee Navigation]] by Bow Locks (shown). As this makes a number of [[meanders]] before reaching the [[River Thames]], an artificial channel – [[Limehouse Cut]] was dug in 1766, running south-west directly to the Thames at Limehouse. This channel now ends in [[Limehouse Basin]].

Ships were built at the [[Orchard House Yard]], in the southern reaches at [[Leamouth]], and launched in the creek where they could travel north along the [[River Lee Navigation]] or south to the [[River Thames]]. In 1810, an iron bridge was built spanning the creek – just south of the modern [[A13 road (Great Britain)|A13 bridge]]. The abutments have been reused for the pedestrian "Jubilee Bridge".

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
* [[Bow Creek Ecology Park]]
* [[Samuda Brothers]]
* [[Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.matt/BowCreekSchool/NewRegister/WebPages/ironbridge.html The Iron Bridge and Ironbridge Tavern — A Chronology — Bow Creek/River Lea]
*[http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/olympics/history/ British Waterways history of the Bow Back Rivers]
*[http://www.londoncanals.co.uk/lee/leeintro.html The Lee Navigation - Intro and Bow Locks to Old Ford]
*[http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_06/ Tuesday Night Club]

{{coord missing|London}}

[[Category:Rivers of London]]
[[Category:Geography of Newham]]
[[Category:Geography of Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the River Thames]]

{{London-geo-stub}}
{{UK-canal-stub}}

[[no:Bow Creek]]

Whitchurch Lock

2009-03-02T13:25:32Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Whitchurch Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= 2008-05 Whitchurch Lock.JPG
|caption= Whitchurch Lock with head gates open
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1787
|latest = 1876
|length = 135’ 3” (41.22m)
|width = 18’ 0” (5.48m)
|fall = 3’ 4” (1.01m)
|sealevel = 130'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 61 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Whitchurch Lock map}}
[[Image:HartsLockWood02.JPG|right|thumb|View from near Gatehampton downstream towards Harts Lock Woods]]
'''Whitchurch Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in [[England]]. The lock is located on an island close to the [[Oxfordshire]] village of [[Whitchurch-on-Thames]] and is inaccessible except by boat. The pound lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioner]]s in 1787.

The weir crosses the river to the [[Berkshire]] village of [[Pangbourne]] .

==History==
[[Image:Flash Lock Thames 1786.jpg|thumb|left|Sketch of the flash lock before the building of the pound lock]]
There was a [[flash lock]] recorded at Whitchurch in the 16th century. The pound lock, built of oak, was installed at the island in the summer of 1787. Two alternative sites were originally considered. One would have expanded the mill stream on the Whitchurch side, and another would have involved a cut across land occupied by the Swan public house at Pangbourne. A lock house was built on the island in the 1830s. In the later 19th century local people used to cross over the weir to avoid paying tolls on the bridge. The lock was rebuilt in 1876 and access across the weir was closed. The right of way from Whitchurch to the lock was closed in 1888.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to the lock==

Whitchurch Lock is the only lock on the River Thames which has no public access other than by boat.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:HartsLockWood01.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Basildon Park across the river from Harts Lock Woods]]
The reach passes along the [[Chiltern Hills]], culminating in [[Goring Gap]]. Halfway along the reach is the [[Gatehampton Railway Bridge]].

The hills on the Oxfordshire side are populated by houses at Whitchurch and are then covered by the Hartslock beech woods. This name derives from a lock among the islands below the hills. This had become disused by the time the pound locks were built, but the obstructions remaining from it were not removed until 1910.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The river turns west away from the hills leaving flat meadows up to [[Goring-on-Thames|Goring]].

On the Berksire side the river passes the river side at Pangbourne where there are seven distinctive Edwardian-style houses overlooking the river. These were built by D. H. Evans the shop owner and were nicknamed the "Seven Deadly Sins" as it was alleged that he kept a mistress in each of them.<ref>Paul Goldsack ''River Thames: In the Footsteps of the Famous'' English Heritage/Bradt 2003</ref> Beyond this point is the Child Beale Wildlife Park and set back from the river is [[Basildon Park]]. The river turns north again at the [[Goring Gap]] where the hills on the [[Streatley, Berkshire|Streatley]] side overshadow the river. Just before the Goring Lock is [[Goring and Streatley Bridge]].

[[Pangbourne College]] is based on this stretch of the river and the Pangbourne Junior Sculls take place on the reach in November.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''', having crossed Whitchurch Bridge, continues away from the river through the streets of Whitchurch and then through the woods. This is a section with steep inclines and long flights of steps. Once back to the river side at Hartslock, it continues on the Oxfordshire bank to Goring.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Rowing on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Image:WhichurchLock01.JPG|right|thumb|Whitchurch Lock from downstream]]
{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Goring Lock]] 4.07 miles|downstream=[[Mapledurham Lock]] 2.28 miles|location=SU634768}}
{{End box}}

{{UK-canal-stub}

{{coord|51.48661|N|1.08830|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU634768)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Temple Lock

2009-03-02T13:20:38Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Temple Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= TempleLock02.JPG
|caption= Temple Lock looking downstream toward Temple Mill Island
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Buckinghamshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1890
|length = 134’ 7” (41.02m)
|width = 17’ 11” (5.46m)
|fall = 4’ 1” (1.23m)
|sealevel = 92'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 39 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Temple Lock map}}
[[Image:TempleLock01.JPG|right|thumb|Looking upstream towards the footbridge]]

'''Temple Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[Buckinghamshire]] bank of the [[River Thames]] near [[Temple Mill Island]] opposite Temple Meadows and not far from [[Hurley, Berkshire]]. It was first built by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]] in 1773.

The weir runs across from the lock to the Berkshire bank a short distance upstream of the lock.

==History==
[[Image:TempleLock04.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Warning notices at the lock]]
There are references to a [[flash lock]] and winch in the 16th century. There was also a ferry at the lock.

The pound lock was built in 1773, the sixth downstream of the eight constructed after the passing of the 1770 navigation act. Like the others it had to be rebuilt in 1782 and though estimates were obtained for stone and timber, timber was chosen because it was cheaper.

In 1890 a new lock was built alongside the original one.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to the lock==

The lock is on the Buckinghamshire bank and can only be reached on foot along the towpath from [[Marlow]] or Hurley

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:TempleLock03.JPG|left|thumb|Weir at Temple Lock]]
The reach is one of the shortest on the river with little of note on it. There was formerly a ferry at the top of the lock cut taking the towpath across the river. In 1989 the [[Temple Footbridge]] was built across the river at this point to replace the ferry which had ceased operation many years before.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]] to crosses Temple Footbridge from the Buckinghamshire to Berkshire side. The path then crosses back across footbridges between the islands at Hurley where Hurley lock is located.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Hurley Lock]] 0.64 miles|downstream=[[Marlow Lock]] 1.95 miles|location=}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.5521|N|0.793965|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

St John’s Lock

2009-03-02T13:12:47Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = St John's Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']
</ref>
|image= StJohnsLock.jpg|thumb|right|
|caption= St John's Lock, with Lechlade in the background
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Gloucestershire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Manual
|first = 1790
|latest = 1905
|length = 110’ 3” (33.60m)
|width = 14’ 10” (4.52m)
|fall = 2’ 10” (0.85m)
|sealevel = 233'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 133 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{St Johns Lock map}}
'''St John's Lock''' is a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] on the upper reaches of the [[River Thames]] in England, near the town of [[Lechlade]], [[Gloucestershire]]. It is the highest lock on the river. It is named after a [[priory]] that was established nearby in 1250, which no longer exists. The lock was built of stone in 1790 by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]].

The main weir is downstream, just below [[St. John's Bridge]], where the [[River Cole]] and the [[River Leach]] join the Thames on opposite banks.

There is a statue of Old Father Thames outside the lock house. It was commissioned in 1854 for [[The Crystal Palace]]'s grounds. It was later moved to the traditional source of the Thames at [[Thames Head]] before being relocated to St John's Lock.<ref>Sharp, David (2001) ''The Thames Path'', National trail guides '''16''', London : Aurum, ISBN 1-85410-773-9, p.46</ref>

==History==
The need for a pound lock here arose as a result of the opening of the [[Thames and Severn Canal]] upstream in November 1789. It was built by J. Nock in 1790 and in its early days complaints were made of tolls being evaded by bullying bargemen. The first lock house was built in 1830, the lock-keeper being required to give up residence at the Trout Inn in accordance with Commission's rule that lock-keepers should not be publicans. The lock was reported to be in a poor state by 1857 and in 1867 was repaired. In 1905 the lock was rebuilt and new lock-keeper's bungalow built on the other side of the lock.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1920 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to the lock==
The lock can be reached easily from St John's Bridge which is about a mile out of Lechlade on the [[A417 road]].

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:Father Thames, St John's Lock, Lechlade.jpg|thumb|left|Statue of Father Thames at St John's Lock]]

The river winds for three quarters of a mile to Lechlade, where it passes under [[Halfpenny Bridge]] (or Ha'penny Bridge), which is so named because it was once a toll bridge. Half a mile after Lechlade there is a connection to the former [[Thames and Severn Canal]], which linked the Thames to the [[River Severn]] via the [[Stroudwater Navigation]] and the [[Gloucester and Sharpness Canal]]. The Thames and Severn Canal is the subject of a restoration plan, and so navigation beyond Lechlade may one day be possible again. The River Coln also joins the Thames at the canal junction, where there is sufficient room to wind a 70ft narrowboat with care. There are no more locks upstream on the River Thames, with Lechlade normally considered to be the end of the navigable river, but there is a right of navigation as far as [[Cricklade]], and small craft may be able to travel for a further three miles beyond Lechlade when there is plenty of water in the river.<ref>Nicholson Waterways Guide, Volume 7 (2006) ISBN 0-00-721115-5</ref>

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' continues along the southern bank past Lechlade to Inglesham and next crosses the river at [[Water Eaton House Bridge]].

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/riverthames/page8.htm The River Thames — St John's Lock]
* [http://home.clara.net/nhi/z85.htm St John's Lock by David Pike]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream= (Lechlade) 0.75 miles|downstream=[[Buscot Lock ]] 1.15 miles|location=SU222990}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.68932|-1.68025|type:landmark_region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU222990)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Sonning Lock

2009-03-02T13:09:48Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Sonning Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= SonningLock02.JPG
|caption= Sonning Lock from downstream
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1905
|length = 156’ 1” (47.57m)
|width = 17’ 11” (5.46m)
|fall = 5’ 4” (1.63m)
|sealevel = 115'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 52 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra= Power is available out of hours
}}
{{Sonning Lock map}}
[[Image:SonningLock01.JPG|right|thumb|Gardens at Sonning Lock]]
[[Image:2008-05 Sonning Lock.JPG|right|thumb|Sonning Lock from the head gates]]
'''Sonning Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and associated [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] at the village of [[Sonning]] near [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], [[England]]. The first lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1773 and it has been rebuilt three times since then.

The weir is some distance upstream at the top of the island where the backwater heads behind the island

==History==
A weir at Sonning is recorded as belonging to the Blunte family in the 15th century. This was associated with the mill and fisheries and mention is made of a "Locke-heise" at this time. The [[flash lock]] was replaced in 1773 by the pound lock. This was the highest upstream of the eight locks constructed after the navigation act of 1770. It was commissioned in 1771 but took two years to build. Fir wood was originally used for these locks, but this decayed very quickly and was replaced at Sonning by oak in 1787. Repairs took place in 1827 when the old flash lock was brought back temporarily into use. By this time a lock house had been built.

The lock-keeper from 1845 to 1878 was James Sadler, a poet and [[beekeeper]]. He wrote verses about the river and about bees, and is credited with the invention of the Berkshire hive. One of his works ''The Thames from Oxford to Windsor'' is a rhymed list of the locks, bridges and towns.

The lock was rebuilt in 1868. The weirs were reconstructed in 1898 and further rebuilding of the lock occurred in 1905.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to the lock==

The lock is a short walk upstream from [[Sonning Bridge]], which itself is close to the centre of Sonning. It is also accessible via a short footpath between St Andrew's Church and the river. The path by the river continues into the town of Reading.

==Reach above the lock==

[[Image:46516922_a48ebe0812_b-1-.jpg|thumb|left|Looking downstream towards Sonning Lock, with the lock to the right and the weir to the left.]]
On the southern Berkshire bank, on the approach into Reading is the [[Thames Valley Park]]. Beyond the northern [[Oxfordshire]] bank are [[Caversham Lakes]] which include the [[Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake]] and the [[Thames & Kennet Marina]]. Access to these is on the upper part of the reach, opposite the entrance to the [[River Kennet]] at [[Blake's Lock]]. There is a bend in the river before Herons Island, [[View Island]] and Caversham Lock. [[Sonning Regatta]] takes place at Sonning in May, while [[Reading Town Regatta]] and [[Thames Valley Park Regatta]] are held further upstream in June.

There are [[navigation transit markers]] just downstream of the entrance to the Thames & Kennet Marina, to allow river users to check their speed.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]] stays on the southern bank all the way to Caversham lock, crossing the [[River Kennet]] on Horseshoe bridge which is attached to [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel|Brunel]]'s [[Great Western Railway]] Bridge.

== Literature and the media ==

: "The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay."
:: — ''[[Charles Dickens]]'' (1882)

: Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,
: By art improved, by nature truly blest?
: A noble river at its base running,
: It is a little village known as Sonning.
:: — ''James Sadler'' (1845–1885), Sonning [[lock keeper]]

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]
* [[Sonning Bishop's Palace]], nearby

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Caversham Lock]] 2.63 miles|downstream=[[Shiplake Lock]] 2.91 miles|location=SU752754}}

{{End box}}

{{coord|51.47258|N|0.91868|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU752754)|display=title}}

[[Category:1773 establishments]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Sonning|Lock]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Shepperton Lock

2009-03-02T13:09:20Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Shepperton Lock<ref>{{Cite book|url= http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf|title= A User's Guide to the River Thames|chapter= Part II|accessdate= 2009-01-08|publisher= [[Environment Agency]]|location= [[Bristol]]|year= 2006|oclc= 76817915}}</ref>
|image= Sheppertonlock.jpg|right|thumb|150px|]]
|caption= Shepperton lock (2005)
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Surrey]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1813
|latest = 1899
|length = 174' 5" (53.16m)
|width = 19' 10" (6.04m)
|fall = 6' 8" (2.03m)
|sealevel = 33'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 10 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates= {{coord|51|22|55.5|N|00|27|31|W|region:GB-SRY_type:landmark_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
| lat=
| long=
| extra= Power is available out of hours
}}
{{Shepperton Lock map}}
'''Shepperton Lock''' is a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]], in England adjoining the northern bank near [[Shepperton]], [[Surrey]] (formerly [[Middlesex]]). It is across the river from [[Weybridge]], but not directly accessible from there.

In 1813, the [[City of London Corporation]] built the [[pound lock]] on a cut along an existing watercourse to create [[Lock Island]].

There are two weirs, one between Lock Island and [[Hamhaugh Island]] and the other larger one between Hamhaugh Island and the southern bank.

The [[Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry]] service runs from Ferry Lane below the lock to the end of Thames Street, [[Weybridge]], where there are two rowing clubs and a canoeing club. Overlooking the lock and the islands is the Thames Court pub/restaurant.

==History==
A weir is recorded at Shepperton in the 1086 [[Domesday Book]] but this is unlikely to have been on the tidal Thames itself. There is also reference to a sluice or dam at Shepperton in 1293 and tolls being raised on passing ships, but the geography of the area is likely to have changed and these do not appear to refer to the site of the current lock. The lock was built in 1813 on the site of a small watercourse known as Stoner's Gut which ran across the neck of a hook in the river as it went to Weybridge. This channel was considered a nuisance to navigation and was not considered for use as the main channel as barges usually went to Weybridge or the [[Wey and Godalming Navigations|Wey Navigation]]. Various accounts at the end of the 18th century record flood waters cutting through the gut and it is believed that there was a little wooden church built on piles over the river which was washed away. The gut was dammed and in 1805 came the first suggestion for a lock. After strong opposition, the proposal was put forward again in 1809 and a wooden lock was subsequently built.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs|last= Thacker|first= Fred S|year= 1968|origyear= First published 1920|edition= New impression, 1st.|publisher= [[David & Charles]]|location= [[Newton Abbot]]|isbn= 9780715342336|oclc= 55209571}}</ref> A stone lock was built in 1899, next to the existing wooden one which was then filled in and removed.

There was formerly a small island called Dog [[Ait]] at this point. This became corrupted into the name "Dockett" as in Dockett Eddy Lane.

==Access to the lock==
The lock is on the Middlesex bank, and can be reached from Shepperton down Ferry Lane or from the Chertsey direction via Dockett Eddy Lane leading to Towpath. There is usually ample parking space. From the Weybridge side it can only be reached by the ferry.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:Sheppreach.JPG|thumb|left|240px|Houses along the river above the lock]]

Immediately above the lock is [[Pharaoh's Island, River Thames|Pharaoh's Island]], which was a gift from the nation to [[Admiral Nelson]] following the [[Battle of the Nile]]. The Middlesex bank is quite open with several larger houses along it until [[Dumsey Meadow]] a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]]. The Surrey side is built up until parkland at Chertsey Meads, and then built up again at the edge of [[Chertsey]] itself. [[Chertsey Bridge]] crosses the river just before Chertsey Lock. On the backwater going past Chertsey Lock, which becomes the [[Abbey River]], is the site of the Anglo-Saxon [[Chertsey Abbey]] sacked by the [[Viking]]s. [[Chertsey Regatta]] is held alongside Dumsey Meadow in August.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]] follows the northern (Middlesex) bank all the way to Chertsey Lock.

==Literature and the Media==
The lock in [[Charles Dickens]] ''[[Our Mutual Friend]]'' at Plashwater Mill is based on Shepperton lock.

In [[H. G. Wells]] ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'' one of the main battles fought against the invaders from Mars takes place between Weybridge and Shepperton lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Rowing on the River Thames]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{Cite web |url= http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3763.htm|title= Shepperton Lock|accessdate= 2009-01-08|publisher= The River Thames Guide}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Chertsey Lock]] 2.06miles|downstream=[[Sunbury Lock]] 2.95 miles|location= TQ0725465964}}
{{End box}}

[[Category:1813 establishments]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Prescott Channel

2009-03-02T12:57:59Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

[[Image:Prescott Channel.jpg|thumb|right|The Prescott Channel in July 2006, with cultivated fig tree]]
The '''Prescott Channel''' was built in 1930–35 as part of a flood relief scheme for the [[River Lee Navigation]] in the [[East End of London]], and was named after [[Sir William Prescott, 1st Baronet|Sir William Prescott]], the then chairman of the Lee Conservancy Board.<ref name="glias">[http://www.glias.org.uk/news/229news.html ''Notes and News''] (April 2007) (Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society)</ref> Rubble from the demolished [[Euston Arch]] was used in 1962 to improve the channel.<ref>''Euston Arch found at bottom of river'', ''[[The Times]]'' ([[4 June]] [[1994]]).</ref><ref>[http://www.eustonarch.org/questions.html#12 ''Where are the remains of the arch?''] (Euston Arch Trust) accessed [[16 July]] [[2008]]</ref>
__TOC__
In March 2007, work began to build the [[Three Mills Lock]], a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] in the channel to allow passage of freight for the [[London 2012 Olympics]] by a process of [[canalisation]] (with the result of stopping the [[tidal flow]]) on the channel and the River Lee northwards. The work is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2008.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6401527.stm ''East End rivers set for upgrade''] (BBC News)</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7307252.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Waterways face new Olympian task]</ref> The project will also offer other benefits:-

"As well as helping barges carrying construction materials and recyclables between Stratford and the River Thames, the lock will also create new opportunities for leisure boats, water taxis, trip boats and floating restaurants."

The new lock will be 62 metres long, 8 metres wide and 2.4 metres deep, and will be able to hold two 350 tonne barges (the present locks on the Lower Lee limit barges to about 120 tonnes). <ref name="glias"/> It has been designed by Tony Gee and Partners and built by Volker Stevin.

On [[2 June]] [[2008]], work on the channel brought up a {{convert|2200|lb|t|0}} ''Hermann'' war time bomb. Residents were evacuated, tube and rail services were disrupted, and flights from [[London City Airport]] were curtailed during the emergency. The 67-year old, booby-trapped bomb was finally made safe, after five days, in a controlled explosion that threw 400 tonnes of sand into the air. Major Matt Davies, of the Army Bomb disposal unit said “If it had gone off in wartime there would have been large fragments up to a mile away which could have destroyed buildings and sewers". He added "This is the biggest [[Unexploded ordnance|unexploded bomb]] we have found in central London."<ref>[http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED06%20Jun%202008%2022%3A31%3A52%3A950 ''"Hermann" the German bomb says farewell with a bang—after 67 years''] (East London Advertiser, [[6 June]] [[2008]]) accessed [[9 June]] [[2008]]</ref>
==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Other sources==
* East London Record. No. 18 (1996)

==External links==
*[http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/olympics/prescott/ Prescott Lock] on [http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/ British Waterways ] website
*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/prescottchannel/ Prescott Channel FLICKR group]
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/08/npresc108.xml&pPage=/core/Matt/pcMatt.jhtml £15m sluice system is Prescott's watergate]
* [http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/metrocuts/bowbacks/prescottsluice.htm Prescott Sluice]
* [http://society.guardian.co.uk/gall/0,,1817219,00.html Lea Valley Regeneration]
* [http://mike-stevens.co.uk/metrocuts/bowbacks/threemillswall1.htm Three Mills Wall River]

== Geo Links for Prescott Channel==
* {{coord|51.527262|-0.00398|region:GB_type:waterway_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}

[[Category:Canals in London]]
[[Category:River Lee Navigation]]

Molesey Lock

2009-03-02T12:55:58Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Molesey Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image = Moleseylock.JPG|thumb|right|240px]]
|caption = The lock after the release of 160,000 [[Rubber duck]]s at the start of the Great British Duck Race in September 2007
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Surrey]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|length = 268' 4" (81.78m)
|width = 24' 10" (7.56m)
|fall = 6' 1" (1.85m)
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|first = 1815
|latest = 1906
|sealevel = 20'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 4.8 miles
|map_image=
|coordinates =
{{coord|51|24|17|N|0|20|45|W|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Molesey Lock}}
|lat =
|long =
|extra = Power is available out of hours
}}
{{Molesey Lock map}}

'''Molesey Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]] in England at [[East Molesey]], [[Surrey]]. It is near [[Hampton Court Palace]] to the west of London.

The lock was built by the [[City of London Corporation]] in 1815 and is the second longest on the river at over 268 ft (81.78 m). Beside the lock there are rollers for the portage of small boats. On the other side of the large weir sits [[Ash Island]], with a backwater behind it continuing to a smaller weir upstream.

The lock's proximity to Hampton Court and easy access made it a popular venue for spectators in the [[Victorian era]], and the tree-lined lock still attracts large numbers of visitors.

==History==
A lock was first proposed in 1802 because of the shallows upstream at "Kenton Hedge and Sundbury Flatts above" but nothing came of the suggestion. In 1809 the proposal was resubmitted and the Act for the construction of Molesey Lock was passed by Parliament in 1812. Building began in 1814 and it opened in 1815 with an Italianate lockhouse. The first lock keeper was killed in a horse race at [[Moulsey Hurst]] and his successor discharged after incidents of pilfering from barges. In 1853 some changes were made to the lock in anticipation of lower water levels caused by the extraction of water upstream. [[Fish ladder]]s were added to the weir in 1864 and the boat slide built in 1871. Such was the popularity of boating in these days that in 1877 a boat and crew were stationed above the weir in case of accidents. The lock was rebuilt in 1906.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> On the small lock island is a plaque commemorating Michael J Bulleid whose work for [[salmon]] conservancy has allowed these fish to travel up the river.

==Access to the lock==
The lock is about 100 yards upstream of [[Hampton Court Bridge]] on the South side. It is immediately accessible from the main Hurst Road/Riverbank (A3050) and is only a short way from [[Hampton Court railway station]].

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:Hamptonreach.JPG|thumb|left|240px|The Thames at Hampton]]
After the lock cut is [[Tagg's Island]] which provides mooring for houseboats some of which are three storeys high. On the Surrey bank here is the "Eights Tree" an original sculpture outside [[Molesey Boat Club]]. The Middlesex bank has interesting features like the Swiss Cottage and the [[Astoria (recording studio)|Astoria Houseboat]] and there is then an array of period buildings at [[Hampton, London|Hampton]]. [[Garrick's Ait]] is another island which is also residential, just by the [[Hampton Ferry (River Thames)|Hampton Ferry]], which runs in the summer between Hampton and [[Moulsey Hurst]] on the Surrey bank. Close to Hampton is [[Benn's Island]] which is completely covered by Hampton Sailing Club's building and mooring. Upstream of this is the island of [[Platts Eyot]], where [[Motor Torpedo Boat]]s were built during [[World War II]]. At Platt's Eyot on the Middlesex bank are the Hampton Water Treatment Works and reservoirs, and on the river in front of them is the [[Hampton School Boat Club]] Millennium boat house. Then there is [[Grand Junction Isle]] with a few chalets on it and riverside houses at [[Sunbury-on-Thames|Sunbury]] and [[Sunbury Court Island]]. Upstream of these is [[Rivermead Island]] an expanse of public open space. On the Surrey bank is the large stretch of open ground at Moulsey Hurst, which has an interesting heritage marker opposite Platt's Eyot. Beyond the Eyot on the Surrey bank are the [[Molesey Reservoirs]] behind trees and high brick walls and then a patch of meadowland before Sunbury Lock. The area around the weir pool is used for [[kayaking]] from the weir and the Creek backwater runs behind [[Wheatley's Ait]] where the [[River Ash, Middlesex|River Ash]] joins the Thames. The stretch is home to several [[sailing]] and [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] clubs. [[Molesey Regatta]] takes place from Platts Eyot in July and [[Sunbury Amateur Regatta]] is held alongside Rivermead Island in August.

===Sports clubs on the reach===

*[[Molesey Boat Club]] [[Image:Rowing Blade Black.svg|50px|]]
*[[Hampton School Boat Club]] [[Image:Van_Mildert_Boat_Club_Blade.svg|50px]]
* Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club
* Hampton Sailing Club
* Aquarius Sailing Club
* [http://www.jaguarseascouts.org.uk/ 1st Molesey Sea Scouts]
* Hampton Hill Sea Scouts

===Waterworks and reservoirs===

There are reservoirs on both sides of the river above Sunbury Lock, created after the 1852 Metropolis Water Act<ref>''An Act to make better Provision respecting the Supply of Water to the Metropolis'', (15 & 16 Vict. C.84)</ref> made it illegal to take drinking water for London from the [[Tideway|tidal Thames]] below Teddington Lock because of the amount of sewage in the river. The Hampton Waterworks were built on the northern bank in the 1850's by three companies — the [[Grand Junction Waterworks Company]], the [[Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company]], and the [[West Middlesex Waterworks Company]]. The reservoirs at Molesey on the southern bank were established in 1872, by the [[Lambeth Waterworks Company]], followed three years later by the [[Chelsea Waterworks Company]]. Both companies had previously built their reservoirs at [[Seething Wells]] below Molesey Lock, but the turbulence caused by the [[River Mole]], [[River Ember]] and [[The Rythe]] meant there was too much mud brought in with the water.<ref>[http://www.moleseyhistory.co.uk/books/surrey/industrialHistory/index.html#D1 A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of the Borough of Elmbridge]</ref>

===Thames Path===

The [[Thames Path]] stays on the Surrey bank all the way to Sunbury Lock. There are no bridges that cross the full width of the river on this reach, although there is a large [[tank trap]] beside the reservoirs.

==Literature and the Media==
[[Image:Sisley Molesey Weir-Morning.jpg|right|thumb|[[Alfred Sisley]]'s painting of the weir in 1874]]
*[[Jerome K. Jerome]] wrote in the 1880's ''"I have stood and watched it sometimes when you could not see any water at all, but only a brilliant tringle of bright blazers and gay caps, and saucy hats, and many-coloured parasols, and silken rugs and cloaks and streaming ribbons..."''<ref>Jerome, Jerome K. ''Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)''. Bristol: Arrowsmith, 1889</ref>

*The lock featured in an edition of the gardening make-over programme [[Ground Force]]

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]
* [[Sailing on the River Thames]]
* [[London water supply infrastructure]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/surrey/molesey+lock/molesey+lock.htm Photographs of Molesey Lock] from the [[Francis Frith]] Collection
*[http://www.memoryscape.org.uk/Drifting02.htm Memoryscape — Drifting: Molesey Lock]
*[http://www.jaguarseascouts.org.uk/ 1st Molesey Sea Scouts]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Sunbury Lock]] 2.98 miles|downstream=[[Teddington Lock]] 4.81 miles|location=?}}
{{End box}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:1815 establishments]]
[[Category:Geography of Surrey]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Marsh Lock

2009-03-02T12:55:37Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Marsh Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image = MarshLock01.JPG
|caption = Marsh Lock from the upstream walkway with the weir on the left
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|length = 135’ 2” (41.19m)
|width = 21’ 1” (6.42m)
|fall = 4’ 4” (1.33m)
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1914
|sealevel = 105'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 46 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
|map_image=
|coordinates =
|lat =
|long =
}}
{{Marsh Lock map}}
[[Image:MarshLock03.JPG|right|thumb|Marsh Lock filled by a large riverboat]]
[[Image:2008-05 Marsh Lock.JPG|right|thumb|Marsh Lock empty from the tail gates]]
'''Marsh Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in England near [[Henley-on-Thames]], [[Oxfordshire]]. The lock is close to the [[Berkshire]] bank, but accessed from the [[Oxfordshire]] side via two long walkways, the downstream one being near [[Mill Meadows]]. The first pound lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1773.

The weir consists of a series of iron watergates running from the lock to the Oxfordshire bank near the mills. It is situated between the two walkways.

==History==
The earliest record of a [[flash lock]] is in 1580, but the lock and weir existed for some time before that. The pound lock was the third downstream of the eight locks built after the navigation act of 1770, and was completed in fir wood in 1773. [[Humphrey Gainsborough]], a [[non-conformist]] [[Religious minister|minister]] at Henley Congregational Church was concerned in the building of the lock. He was an [[inventor]] and the brother of the artist [[Thomas Gainsborough]]. By 1780 the lock was reported as decaying fast, and in 1787 it was rebuilt of oak. The first lock-house was built in 1813. Positioned as it was on the opposite side of the tow path, the lock was considered "Extremely inconvenient and dangerous for barges" in 1814 and there are some indications that the flash lock was still in use.
[[Image:MarshLock02.JPG|left|thumb|Lower walkway from Mill Meadows]]
In 1843 the lock was in poor condition and plans were drawn up to rebuild it on the opposite side of the river. However these came to nothing and the lower walkway was built about this time. The weir was rebuilt after 1879 but with some complaints about its unattractiveness. There were again proposals to move the lock across the river but it was rebuilt of more solid timber and reopened in 1886.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The lock was rebuilt again in 1914. The weir was reconstructed in 2004 by [[Mowlem]] PLC to a design by Halcrow Group.

==Access to the lock==

Because the lock is unusually situated on the opposite side of the river to the [[towpath]], a long wooden bridge was built from the Oxfordshire bank to carry the path out to the lock island below the weir, and then back again to the riverbank above the weir. This feature is unique on the River Thames.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:MarshLock04.JPG|left|thumb|View upstream from the upstream walkway]]
[[Image:WargraveRiver01.JPG|left|thumb|View of Wargrave across the river from Shiplake]]
At the lock and beyond it on the Berkshire bank there are steep hills, which give way to Wargrave Marsh, an expanse of water meadows, after the entrance to the [[Hennerton Backwater]]. At this point, Bolney Ferry used to operate across the river. The island here is called [[Ferry Eyot]] and it is followed by [[Poplar Eyot]] and [[Handbuck Eyot]]. This chain of islands lies off a range of large houses at [[Shiplake]].

The river then rejoins Hennerton Backwater and passes [[Wargrave]] on the Berkshire bank while there is then open farmland on the Shiplake bank. The [[River Loddon]] flows in on the Berkshire side and the river is crossed by [[Shiplake Railway Bridge]] just below Shiplake Lock. The [[Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta]] takes place on the reach downstream of the railway bridge in August.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]] follows the river on the western bank and then takes a diversion through Shiplake. This diversion arises because the towpath used to cross the river at Bolney Ferry and return at Lashbrook Ferry a short way upstream.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]
* [[River and Rowing Museum]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Shiplake Lock]]|downstream=[[Hambledon Lock]]|location=SU773816}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.52803|N|0.88710|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU773816)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Henley-on-Thames]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Marlow Lock

2009-03-02T12:37:04Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Marlow Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image = MarlowLock01.JPG
|caption = Marlow Lock from downstream
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Buckinghamshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1927
|length = 151’ 3” (46.10m)
|width = 19’ 11” (6.07m)
|fall = 7’ 1” (2.16m)
|sealevel = 88'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 37 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Marlow Lock map}}
[[Image:MarlowLock.JPG|right|thumb|Marlow Lock]]
[[Image:MarlowLock03.JPG|right|thumb|Marlow weir on the left upstream of the lock]]
'''Marlow Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in the town of [[Marlow, Buckinghamshire]], [[England]]. The first pound lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1773.

The weir stretches a long way upstream above the lock.

==History==
[[Image:MarlowLock02.JPG|left|thumb|Marlow lock house from the depths of the lock]]
A weir at Marlow is recorded in [[Domesday book]], and there are 14th century records of a winch to pull traffic through a [[flash lock]]. The lock was very problematical and in the 16th and 17th century there are accounts of conflicts between millers and navigators. A particular problems was the shallow draught. The first pound lock was built of fir in 1773, the seventh downstream of the eight built after the 1770 navigation act. It was upstream of the present lock on still proved problematical. Rollers were needed to guide barges in and as there was no towpath barges needed tow ropes several hundred feet long. The lock needed extensive repairs in 1780 and a year later [[eel buck]]s had to be removed from the flash lock in case it was needed. The first lock house was erected in 1815 and in 1825 the lock was reconstructed on its present site of Headington stone. The weir ws rebuilt in 1872.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The last rebuilding of the lock occurred in 1927.

==Access to the lock==

The lock is easily accessible, being located in the town.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:MarlowLockReach01.JPG|left|thumb|Marlow from the river]]
[[Image:MarlowLockReach02.JPG|left|thumb|Bisham looking downstream]]
The long weir stretches several hundred yards above the lock, and beyond it is [[Marlow Bridge|Marlow suspension bridge]] close to the church. Once the river leaves the Marlow, it curls through hills and beechwoods . On the Berkshire side is [[Bisham Abbey]], a fine old mansion associated with [[Anne of Cleves]] and [[Queen Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth]] that is now one of the [[National Sports Centres]]. Further upstream is the church of Bisham itself.

[[Temple Mill Island]] is just downstream of Temple Lock.

Temple Regatta takes place in early May between Marlow Bridge and Temple Lock, and [[Marlow Town Regatta]] is held in June.

===Sports clubs===

*[[Marlow Rowing Club]]

===Thames Path===

The [[Thames Path]] leaves Marlow and continues on the [[Buckinghamshire|Bucks]] side to Temple Lock.

==Literature and the Media==

The poet [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]] lived in the town and spent much of his time on the river above the lock in a [[Thames skiff|skiff]].

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Rowing on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Temple Lock]] 1.95 miles|downstream=[[Cookham Lock]] 4.00 miles|location=}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.5673|N|0.768812|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Limehouse Cut

2009-02-26T16:35:18Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Limehouse Cut map}}
[[Image:Limehouse cut.jpg|thumb|left|Looking North East along the Limehouse Cut]]

The '''Limehouse Cut''' is a straight, broad [[canal]] in the [[East End of London|East End]] of [[London]], which linked the lower reaches of the [[River Lee Navigation]] to the [[River Thames]]. It now connects to [[Limehouse Basin]] as a result of changes made in 1968.

The Cut turns in a broad curve from [[Bow Locks]], where the Lee Navigation meets [[Bow Creek]]; it then proceeds directly south-west for {{convert|2|mi|km|1}} through the [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]] to Limehouse Basin.

==History==
The Limehouse Cut was authorised by the River Lee Act, an Act of Parliament obtained in 1766, and is therefore the oldest canal in London. It provides a short-cut from the [[River Thames]] at [[Limehouse Basin]] north-east to the [[River Lee Navigation]], avoiding the tortuous curves of the lower reaches of the [[River Lee (England)|River Lee or Lea]] at [[Bow Creek]], and the need to wait for the tide to make the long detour round the [[Isle of Dogs]]. The Cut joins the Lea at [[Bromley-by-Bow]]. Before 1968 the Cut enjoyed its own direct link to the Thames, but this exit lock was replaced when a short length of new canal was constructed to link the Cut with the [[Regent's Canal]] Dock, now known as Limehouse Basin.<ref>[http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/limehouse-cut/history Waterscape: Limehouse Cut history]</ref> The link to the Thames has since been infilled. There was a link to the dock in the 19th century, but this had been removed when the dock was extended.<ref name=ltgf>[http://www.ltgf.co.uk/content/en/heritage_details.aspx?guid=D2624B8C-9B15-4527-98A3-0ACC729914AB London Thames Gateway Forum]</ref>

The cut was built for sailing barges, and can accommodate vessels which are 88 ft by 19 ft (26.8m x 5.8m). Headroom is limited to 7ft (2.1m).<ref>[http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/limehouse-cut/boating/dimensions Waterscape: Limehouse Cut dimensions]</ref> The lock from Limehouse Basin to the Thames was originally a ship lock, but has been replaced with a smaller one.<ref name=ltgf/>

[[Bow Locks]] were originally tidal, replenishing Limehouse Cut and the southern section of the Lee Navigation at high tide. The Cut could be isolated from the level of the Navigation by the [[Bromley Stop Lock]]; and from [[Limehouse Basin]] by the [[Britannia Stop Lock]]. Today, the level at Bow Lock is maintained at the same level as Limehouse Basin, with the result that the two stop locks are redundant, and have been largely removed.

==Today==
[[Image:The Cut - Floating Towpath.jpg|thumb|right|In 2003, an award winning {{convert|240|m|yd|0|lk=on}} floating towpath was installed to link the existing towpath to [[Bow Locks]].]]
Factories and warehouses line the Cut in the first few hundred meters from the Thames, but are serviced by roads now. These days the canals are used for pleasure, both on and beside the water on the towpaths. Regent's Canal, [[Hertford Union Canal]], River Lee Navigation and the Limehouse Cut form a square, for a distance of seven to eight miles which can be walked or cycled. These scenic [[towpath]]s cut across roads and railways in the area, providing a distinct viewpoint.

Access on foot along the Limehouse Cut was difficult in the area below the Blackwall Tunnel approach road, but is now possible as a result of an innovative scheme to create a floating towpath. This was opened in July 2003<ref>[http://visiteastlondon.co.uk/downloads/BW_walking_eastend.pdf Visit East London: Walking]</ref> and consists of 60 floating pontoons, creating a {{convert|240|m|yd|0}} walkway complete with green glowing edges.<ref>[http://www.citiesofscience.co.uk/go/London/ContentPlace_2810.html City Of Science: Floating tow-path]</ref>

The Cut is administered by [[British Waterways]].

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/ Lee Valley Park]
* [http://www.leariverstrust.co.uk/ Lea Rivers Trust]

{{Canals of Britain}}

{{coord|51.51670|-0.02141|type:river_region:GB|display=title}}

[[Category:Canals in England]]
[[Category:Geography of Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Transport in Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Canals in London]]

Limehouse Basin (Regent’s Canal)

2009-02-26T16:35:07Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

The '''Limehouse Basin''' in [[Limehouse]], in the [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]] provides a navigable link between the [[Regent's Canal]] and the [[River Thames]], through the [[Limehouse Basin Lock]]. A [[canal basin|basin]] in the north of [[Mile End]], near [[Victoria Park, East London|Victoria Park]] connects with the [[Hertford Union Canal]] leading to the [[River Lee Navigation]]. The dock originally covered an area of about {{convert|15|acre|m2|0|lk=on}}. The Basin lies between the [[Docklands Light Railway]] (DLR) line and historic [[Narrow Street]]. Directly to the east is a small park, Ropemaker's Fields.
== History ==
[[Image:Regents canal dock 1828.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Regent's Canal Dock, 1828]]
The Basin, built by the Regent's Canal Company, was formerly known as ''Regent's Canal Dock'' and was used by seagoing vessels and lighters to offload cargoes to canal barges, for onward transport along the [[Regent's Canal]]. Although initially a commercial failure following its opening in 1820, by the mid 19th century the dock (and the canal) were an enormous commercial success for the importance in the supply of coal to the numerous gasworks and latterly electricity generating stations along the canal, and for domestic and commercial use. At one point it was the principal entrance from the Thames to the entire national canal network. Its use declined with the growth of the railways, although the revival of canal traffic during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] gave it a brief swansong.

The [[Docklands Light Railway]] is carried on a viaduct originally built for the [[London and Blackwall Railway]] above the original wharves along the north side of the basin. Beyond these, the [[Commercial Road Lock]] leads to the Regent's Canal.

To the east of the canal entrance, behind a viaduct arch is the octagonal tower of a [[hydraulic accumulator]], 1869, replacing an earlier and pioneering structure dating from the 1850s by [[William George Armstrong]], engineer and inventor. This regulated the hydraulic pressure of the extensive network of hydraulic mains around the basin supplying the coal-handling machinery. The associated steam raising plant and hydraulic pumps have been removed. The building was converted by Dransfield Owens de Silva for the [[London Docklands Development Corporation]] to function as a viewing platform. It (and the basin itself) is now owned by the [[British Waterways Board]]; and is a [[listed building|Grade II listed building]], and is open every year during [[Open House Weekend]], usually the third weekend in September.

The history of the connection of the Basin to the [[River Thames]] and the [[Limehouse Cut]] is complex, but in 1968, a short stretch of new [[canal]] was constructed to reconnect the [[Limehouse Cut]] to the Basin, replacing the Cut's old direct link with the Thames. It was closed to commercial traffic in 1969, with one quay at the Basin retained for the use of pleasure craft.

== Redevelopment ==
[[Image:Limehouse basin.jpg|thumb|The Limehouse Basin, 2004]]
The redevelopment of the Basin started in 1983 as part of the [[London Docklands Development Corporation]]'s overall masterplan for the Docklands area. However, it took many years for the scheme to come to fruition. The property boom and bust of the 1980s set back progress considerably, as did the construction of the [[Limehouse Link tunnel]] which was built under the north side of the basin in the early 1990s. By early 2004 the majority of the once derelict land surrounding the basin had been developed into luxury flats.

Many homes around the Basin were built by [[Bellway Homes]]. The developments formed various phases. One of the first phases was [[Limehouse West]] consisting of 262 apartments: Medland House (2 buildings - blocks A1/A2 and A3), Berglen Court (3 buildings - blocks B1, B2/B3 and B4/B5) and the Pinnacle (1 building - block B6). ''Need information on phase 2 and 3 - one is probably the Marina Heights development to the north east''. Phase 4 consisted of three blocks of apartments and houses on the waterfront at the east end of the basin: Block D, a 12-storey apartment building (Pinnacle II); Block E, nine three-storey townhouses in two terraces of six and three houses; and Block F, a five-storey apartment building.

== Life in the Basin ==

[[Image:LimehouseBasin FromAbove.jpg|thumb|Limehouse Basin as seen from an apartment on the edge of the Marina, with the Thames River in the background.]]

In addition to the various apartment blocks around the Limehouse Basin, a number of other facilities are available.

The [http://www.cruising.org.uk/ Cruising Association] has a purpose-built headquarters at Limehouse Basin, and the [http://www.taichiwl.demon.co.uk/ John Ding Academy] [[Tai chi chuan|Tai Chi]] centre (opened March 2005) is located in the retail unit of Berglen Court. Further afield [[Narrow Street]] offers many pubs including The Narrow (run by [[Gordon Ramsay]]), and [[The Grapes]], a historic pub with an old-style feel.

Just off the basin to the south is the Mosaic development. This has several retail units including La Figa, an Italian restaurant, Verde an Italian [[delicatessen]] and cafe, and a dry cleaners.

== The future ==

[http://www.bellway.co.uk/ Bellway Homes] recently completed "Zenith" on the north west side of the basin. Four retail units lie vacant, apparently due to lack of service access provision for deliveries. Works are now being undertaken on the [[Docklands Light Railway]] 3-car capacity enhancement project which will see the [[Limehouse station]] built over Branch Road and connect under the bridge next to the new development on the most western side.

[http://www.firstbase.com/ First Base] are expected to hold a public consultation on the site overlooking the basin on Branch Road later in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|date= [[2008-05-15]] | title=First Base property developers | url = http://www.firstbase.com/branch.html | publisher = [[First Base]] | accessdate = 2008-05-15}}</ref>

{{coord|51|30|40.28|N|0|2|10.78|W|type:landmark_scale:3000|display=title}}

{{nearest DLR|Limehouse}}

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConFactFile.80/Regents-Canal-Dock.html Regent's Canal Dock (1812–1970s)] from PortCities

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Canals in London]]
[[Category:Docks in London]]
[[Category:Geography of Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Redevelopment projects in London]]
[[Category:Regent's Canal]]

Iffley Lock

2009-02-26T16:29:44Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Iffley Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= IffleyLock01.JPG
|caption= Iffley Lock from downstream
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1631
|latest = 1927
|length = 154’ 1” (46.96m)
|width = 21’ 3” (6.47m)
|fall = 2’ 8” 0.81m
|sealevel = 178'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 91 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates= {{coord|51|43|42.45|N|1|14|25.21|W|}}
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Osney Lock map|Iffley Lock}}
[[Image:IffleyLock.jpg|right|thumb|Iffley Lock]]
[[Image:IffleyLock03.JPG|right|thumb|The lock from upstream]]
'''Iffey Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]] in England near the village of [[Iffley]], [[Oxfordshire]]. It is on the southern outskirts of [[Oxford]]. The original lock was built by the [[Oxford-Burcot Commission]] in 1631 and the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] replaced this in 1793. The lock has a set of rollers to allow [[punt (boat)|punts]] and [[rowing boat]]s to be moved between the water levels.

In addition the lock and weir streams there is stream further to the east which used to be the Mill Stream.

The weir is downstream of the lock, where the weir stream is joined by the mill stream.

==History==
[[Image:RollersAtIffleyLock.jpg|thumb|left|The Rollers at Iffley Lock]]A weir was owned by [[Lincoln College, Oxford|Lincoln College]] as early as 1302 and this weir may have carried the bridge which is referenced earlier than this. Iffley Lock was the [[pound lock]] furthest upstream that was built by the Oxford-Burcot Commission in 1631. In 1790 the Thames Commissioners took over Iffley and the other Oxford-Burcot locks at [[Sandford Lock|Sandford]] and [[Swift Ditch]]. The Commission rebuilt the lock in 1793, and the keeper was instructed to take tolls for "[[punt (boat)|punt]]s, pleasure boats, [[Thames skiff|skiff]]s and [[wherry|wherries]]" at a charge of sixpence for punts and skiffs and one shilling for four oared craft. However access to the lock was awkward for barge traffic heading for the [[Thames and Severn Canal]] which had to enter backwards and take down their masts. Improvements and enlargements were made to the lock in 1802 and 1806 and the stone lockhouse was built in 1810. In 1826, it was ordered that no craft should pass through the lock during the hours of divine service. In the middle of the 19th century there was a problem with water levels below the water and a witness to a parliamentary enquiry reported that cows and horses were sometimes driven into the river to create sufficient draught. The lock was repaired in 1866, and ten years later the lock was being blamed for flooding in Oxford. Although the boat slide was promised in 1885, at the same time the Thames Conservancy were considering removing the lock. However there were many petitions to retain it and it survived.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The latest rebuilding took place in 1927.

==Access to the lock==
The lock can be reached on foot on the track from Donnington Bridge on the western side.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:OUCollegeBHs01.JPG|thumb|left|College boathouses and Christ Church Meadow]]
[[Image:IffleyReach02.JPG|thumb|left|Housing above Folly Bridge]]
The river at this point and around Oxford in general is known as the [[The Isis|Isis]]. [[Donnington Bridge]] crosses the river upstream of the lock and then the [[River Cherwell]] joins the Thames on the northern side. The [[Oxford University|university]] college boathouses line the bank on the northern side, followed by [[Christ Church Meadow]]. This upstream stretch of the river is used for [[sport rowing|rowing]], and is the location of the University rowing regattas of [[Torpids]] and [[Eights Week|Summer Eights]]. After Christcurch Meadow is [[Folly Bridge]] where are the landing stages for pleasure boats. After Folly bridge, the river runs through suburbs where it is crossed by the [[Oxford Footbridge]]. Beyond this is the [[Osney Footbridge]], a converted railway bridge, and the [[Osney Rail Bridge]].

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' stays on the western side towards [[South Hinksey]] until it reaches Osney Lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Iffley_Lock Waterscape.com information]
* [http://www.thames-path.com/ Thames Path Online Guide]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Osney Lock]] 2.32 miles|downstream=[[Sandford Lock]] 1.68 miles|location=SP525036}}
{{End box}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Hambleden Lock

2009-02-26T16:29:05Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Hambleden Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= HambleLock01.JPG
|caption= An old tug boat leaves the lock
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1773
|latest = 1994
|length = 198’ 3” (61.00m)
|width = 25’ 0” (7.70m)
|fall = 4’ 9” (1.44m)
|sealevel = 101'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 43 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra= Power is available out of hours
}}
{{Hambleden Lock map}}

'''Hambleden Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] with an long [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in England. The lock is on the [[Berkshire]] bank between Aston and [[Remenham]]. It was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1773, The lock is named after the village of [[Hambleden]], a mile (1.5km) to the north.

The great weir is impressive and there are walkways over it from the lock to the small village of [[Mill End]] on the [[Buckinghamshire]] bank. Here is situated the picturesque [[Hambleden Mill]], and the site of a [[Roman villa]] is nearby.

==History==
The mill at Hambleden is mentioned in [[Domesday Book]], which implies there was also a weir here then. There is reference to the weir, with a winch (for pulling boats through the [[flash lock]]) in 1338. The pound lock was the fourth downstream in the series of locks built after the 1770 navigation act. The others were built of fir which had to be replaced by oak after a dozen years. In 1777 a small brick house was built and Caleb Gould
became keeper. This eccentric, who baked bread for bargemen, ate a dish of onion porridge every night, wore a long coat with many buttons and walked daily to Hambleden marking a cross on the ground where he reached, was in post at the lock for 59 years and was succeeded by his son.
[[Image:HambleLock02.JPG|left|thumb|Weir, mill and walkway at Hambleden]]
There is reference to continuing use of the flash lock and winch at the weir until the middle of the nineteenth century. The channel downstream of the lock which takes navigation clear of the weir and weir pool was excavated in 1825. The lock was completely rebuilt in 1870 after years of complaint about its condition. In 1884 the new weirs were built and after public complaints the walkway was built to reopen the ancient right of way.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The lock was rebuilt in 1994.

==Access to the lock==

The lock can be reached from the village of Aston on the same side, after a short walk; access to the track leading to the lock is immediately to the west of the Flower Pot pub. From the opposite side the walkways across the weirs provide easy access from Mill End.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:HambleLockReach01.JPG|left|thumb|View downstream towards Temple Island]]
[[Image:Henley01.JPG|left|thumb|Looking upstream from Henley Bridge]]
The river curves round to the south, passing, on the Oxfordshire bank, [[Greenlands]], a large country house built in the nineteenth century which is now the home of the [[Henley Management College]]. After the turn is [[Temple Island]], which is the start of the [[Henley Royal Regatta]] course. The regatta is rowed upstream over a wide straight course of 1 mile, 550 yards (2,112 m). On the Berkshire bank are open fields, lawns and Remenham Farm, part of the village of [[Remenham]]. The regatta lawns continue up to [[Henley Bridge]], while the town of [[Henley on Thames]] stretches along the Oxfordshire bank.

After [[Henley Bridge]] is the Henley river front with boat hire and a landing stage for riverboat cruises. After a small wooded island is the larger [[Rod Eyot]], and [[Mill Meadows]] provides public open space on the Henley side of the river. The [[River and Rowing Museum]] is situated here. On the Berkshire bank the land rises steeply with a wooded escarpment hanging over [[Marsh Lock]].

===Sports clubs on the reach===
*[[Upper Thames Rowing Club]]
*[[Remenham Club]]
*[[Leander Club]]

===Thames Path===

The [[Thames Path]] stays on the Berkshire bank to Henley Bridge, and is here in better condition for the benefit of the rowing coaches who cycle along it. It crosses Henley Bridge and continues on the Oxfordshire bank to Marsh Lock.

==Kayak & Canoe use==
[[Image:2008-05 Hambledon Lock (2).JPG|right|thumb|]]
[[Image:HambleLock03.JPG|right|thumb|Looking upstream from the lock]]
Since the 1940's [[kayakers]] and [[canoeists]] have used the weir structure for recreation.

In each of the four sluices a concrete ramp of about 16 deg has been fixed to the weir apron, on top of these a hinged steel plate is fixed. The hinged steel plate is adjustable between the 16 deg of the base concrete ramp and approx 28 deg. The adjustment of the steel plate is currently by pneumatic bellows installed between the plate and the concrete base.

==Literature and the media==

[[Jerome K Jerome]] wrote of ''"the rather uninteresting river residence of my newsagent - a quiet unassuming old gentleman, who may be met with about these regions, during the summer months, sculling himself along in easy vigorous style, or chatting genially to some old lock-keeper, as he passes through"''. The newsagent in question was [[William Henry Smith (businessman)|W H Smith]] whose residence was Greenlands.

Caleb Gould's gravestone at [[Remenham]] has the elegy
:''This world’s a jest,
:''And all things show it;
:''I thought so once,
:''And now I know it.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Crossings of the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]
* [[Kayaking and Canoeing on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* [http://www.markhorrell.com/travel/britain/2003/hambleden.html Photograph of the weir with Hambleden Mill behind]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Marsh Lock]] 2.85 miles|downstream=[[Hurley Lock]] 3.66 miles|location=SU782852}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item line|upstream=[[Henley Bridge]]|downstream=[[Temple Footbridge]]}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.56027|N|0.87333|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU782852)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Goring Lock

2009-02-26T16:27:23Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Goring Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= GoringLock03.JPG
|caption= The view of Goring Lock from Goring and Streatley Bridge
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1787
|latest = 1921
|length = 179’ 5” (54.68m)
|width = 21’ 0” (6.40m)
|fall = 5’ 10” (1.77m)
|sealevel = 136'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 65 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra= Power is available out of hours
}}
{{Goring Lock map}}
'''Goring Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in England at the [[Goring Gap]] in the [[Chiltern Hills]]. The lock is located on the [[Oxfordshire]] bank at [[Goring-On-Thames]], with [[Streatley, Berkshire|Streatley]], [[Berkshire]] on the opposite side of the river. It is just upstream of [[Goring and Streatley Bridge]]. The lock was first built in 1787 by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]]

The weir runs back to an island under the bridge and then another weir goes from there to the Streatley bank.

==History==

There was originally a weir and ferry here belonging to Goring Priory, which became the property of millers who kept a [[flash lock]]. A report in a newspaper of 1674 tells how 60 people drowned in the lock when the ferryman rowed too close to it. The pound lock was built in August 1787 from oak. Over several decades operation of the lock appears to have been shared with that of Cleeve Lock until 1869. Following this there were plans to build a lock-house, but this was not started until 1879.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David and Charles </ref> The lock itself was replaced in 1886. In the last rebuild in 1921 the lock had intermediate gates installed, making two pounds, but these were removed in the refit in 2003.

==Access to the lock==

The lock is situated almost under the bridge and is easily accessible from both Goring and Streatley

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:GoringLockreach01.JPG|left|thumb|Boat houses along the Cleeve side]]
The reach is only just over half a mile long. The Cleeve side of the river is occupied by large gardens stretching down the hillside with several boat-houses on the river. There are islands below Cleeve lock, with weirs between them, and these extend for some distance. On the Streatley side are meadows and woods.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''', having crossed Goring Bridge to Streatley, continues through on the western bank to Cleeve Lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Image:uk-goring-lock.jpg|thumb|left|The lock and weir in winter]]
{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Cleeve Lock]] 0.62 miles|downstream=[[Whitchurch Lock]] 4.07 miles|location=SU596808}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.52298|N|1.14235|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU596808)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Day’s Lock

2009-02-24T17:09:53Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Day's Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= DaysLock01.JPG
|caption= Sculler waits to enter Day's Lock while a cruiser tries to come out sideways
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hyrdaulic
|first = 1789
|latest = 1925
|length = 154’ 10” (46.93m)
|width = 21’ 2” (6.45m)
|fall = 5’ 2” (1.58m)
|sealevel = 149'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 76 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates={{coord|51.63834|N|1.17919|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU569936)|display=inline,title}}
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Days Lock map}}
'''Day's Lock''' is a lock on the [[River Thames]] near [[Dorchester-on-Thames]], [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]] on the Dorchester side of the river.

The [[pound lock]] was built in 1789 by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioner]]. The lock is across the river from the small village of [[Little Wittenham]] and is overlooked from the south by the hills of [[Wittenham Clumps]], with a particularly good view from Round Hill.

The weir runs straight across the river from the other side of the lock island.

Day's Lock is the main gauging station for the measurement of the water flow in the River Thames.

The ''World [[Poohsticks]] Championships'', on behalf of the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|RNLI]], have taken place annually here since 1983.

==History==

The name ''Day's Lock'' comes from the Day family, local [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] yeomen since the 17th century. During the 16th century, there was a [[flash lock]] here. The pound lock was staked out in August 1788. It was judged best to build it on the Oxfordshire bank provided the existing weir owner would "remove his [[Eel buck|buck]]s"(eel traps). In 1865 it was reported to be in utter ruin and dangerous, but reconstruction did not take place until 1871. In 1882 a bell push to summon the keeper was installed, there being no lock keeper's house at that time.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The lock house was not built until 1928 when it was erected on Lock House Island next to Little Wittenham Bridge.

==Access to the lock==

A short way downstream of the lock is [[Little Wittenham Bridge]] which spans the river in two sections with an island between. Using this, the lock is a short walk from Little Wittenham where is a car park near St Peter's Church. The lock is a little further to walk to from Dorchester.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:DaysLock03.JPG|left|thumb|View from Round Hill. Day's Lock and the River Thames curving along the tree line to the left]]
On the eastern bank to the north-east is the historic town of [[Dorchester, Oxfordshire|Dorchester]] with its ancient [[Dorchester Abbey|Abbey]]. The river follows a long bend round to [[Clifton Hampden]]. Here it goes under [[Clifton Hampden Bridge]] and past the historic [[Barley Mow]] public house, as mentioned in the book, ''[[Three Men in a Boat]]''. Before Clifton Lock, the old stream separates, leading to [[Long Wittenham]].

There are [[navigation transit markers]] upstream of the lock to allow boats to check their speed. A powered boat should take more than one minute to pass between the markers.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' follows the western/southern bank to Clifton Hampden Bridge, where it crosses to the opposite northern bank to continue to Clifton Lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
[[Image:DaysLock02.JPG|right|thumb|A paddle-driven river management craft enters the lock from upstream. Round Hill and Little Wittenham Bridge are in the background]]
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3750.htm About the Thames — Day's Lock]
* [http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath/site.asp?PageId=24&SiteId=53&c=3 Thames Path — National Trails — Day's Lock]
* [http://www.berkshirehistory.com/archaeology/wittenham_scabbard.html Berkshire History: Two Iron Age Swords from Day's Lock, Little Wittenham]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Clifton Lock]] 2.98 miles|downstream=[[Benson Lock]] 3.96 miles|location=SU569936}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item line|upstream=[[Clifton Hampden Bridge]] (road)|downstream=[[Little Wittenham Bridge]] (pedestrian)}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[Thames Path]]}}
{{River item line|upstream = southern bank [[Clifton Hampden Bridge]]
|downstream = northern bank [[Benson Lock]]}}

{{End box}}

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Cookham Lock

2009-02-24T17:09:25Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Cookham Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Cookham Lock, Berkshire.JPG|thumb|right|
|caption= Cookham Lock, Berkshire
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1830
|latest = 1957
|length = 183' 0" (55.77m)
|width = 25' 0" (7.62m)
|fall = 4' 3" (1.30m)
|sealevel = 81'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 33 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
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}}
{{Cookham Lock map}}
[[Image:CookhamLock01.JPG|right|thumb|Lock and the wooded banks beyond]]
'''Cookham Lock''' is a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] with [[weir]]s situated on the [[River Thames]] near [[Cookham]], [[Berkshire]]. The lock is set in a lock cut which is one of four streams here and it is surrounded by woods. Next to the lock island is [[Formosa Island]], the largest on the non-tidal Thames.

There are several weirs here. Hedsor weir was placed across the old navigation channel in 1837, seven years after the lock was opened. There is a lower weir, and Odney weir is on the channel next to Formosa Island.

==History==

The navigation route was formerly down [[Hedsor Water]] and the only weir was associated with the mill. After the building of [[Marlow Lock]] in 1773 there were problems with shallow water upstream, and the earliest suggestions were for a stop at Cookham to hold the water back. In 1794 it was considered one of the most dangerous parts on the river, mainly on account of chalk boulders falling into the Thames. However nothing happened until 1829 when a cut and lock were agreed upon, the cut going through the northernmost island called The Sashes. Part of the cut was formed from an existing Sashes Stream, and an Ait was removed at the lower end of the cut. The lock opened in 1830, but no weir was built at this time.

In 1832 [[Baron Boston|Lord Boston]] of [[Hedsor House]] claimed compensation for loss of towpath rights along Hedsor Water which he was granted. In 1837 a weir was found necessary and built, leading to further litigation from Lord Boston for loss of trade to the wharf he owned there. This time the only compensation he received was the building of a [[flash lock]] in the weir. This was removed when the lock was rebuilt in 1869, as Lord Boston had built [[eel buck]]s in the stream in the meantime.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

The lock was rebuilt in 1957.

==Access to the lock==

There is a road from Cookham to Formosa Island and the lock.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:CookhamLockReach02.JPG|left|thumb|Water meadows above Cookham]]

After the streams rejoin above the lock, the river is crossed by [[Cookham Bridge]]. Along the reach on the [[Buckinghamshire]] bank is [[Bourne End, Buckinghamshire|Bourne End]] where the [[River Wye, Buckinghamshire|River Wye]] joins the Thames. [[Bourne End Railway Bridge]], which includes a footbridge, crosses the river here. Along the Berkshire bank there are water meadows. There are [[navigation transit markers]] just downstream of Bourne End Railway Bridge, to allow river users to check their speed.
[[Image:CookhamLockReach01.JPG|left|thumb|Wooded hillsides by the river]]
Further upstream towards the Berkshire bank are the [[Gibraltar Islands]] which lie in front of Quarry Wood. There are then steep hills overhanging the river at [[Cookham Dean]] where the house called "The Mount", where [[Kenneth Graham]] lived as a child is situated. He based much of his book on this part of the Thames which is described as ''[[Wind in the Willows]] country''.

As the ground levels, the [[Marlow By-pass Bridge]] crosses the river a little way downstream of Marlow Lock.

===Thames Path===
The [[Thames Path]], which has passed through Cookham rather than by the lock, runs from Cookham Bridge along the southern bank until Bourne End Railway Bridge, where there is a footbridge. The path crosses this footbridge and then goes along the northern bank to Marlow.

==Literature and the Media==

Cookham was home to the artist [[Stanley Spencer]] whose works include ''[[Swan Upping]] at Cookham''.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Marlow Lock]] 4.00 miles|downstream=[[Boulter's Lock]] 2.08 miles|location=SU906855}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.5613|N|0.695442|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Clifton Lock

2009-02-24T17:09:07Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Clifton Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from - Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']
</ref>
|image= Cliftonlock03.JPG
|caption= Clifton Lock - gates showing some ambivalence over board status (yellow or red)
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1822
|latest =
|length = 129’ 10” (39.57m)
|width = 19’ 0” (5.79m)
|fall = 3’ 5” (1.03m)
|sealevel = 153'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 79 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Clifton Lock map}}
'''Clifton Lock''' is a lock on [[River Thames]] in [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]]. It is located south of the village of [[Clifton Hampden]] and north of [[Long Wittenham]]. It is at the start of the Clifton Cut, which bypasses the river to the north of Long Wittenham.
The lock was completed in 1822 by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]].

The main weir, which was built thirteen years later than the lock, runs across the old navigation of the river. A smaller weir runs just above the lock.

==History==

Clifton is one of the few lock sites on the non-tidal river where there was not a pre-existing weir and flash lock, although there was an important ferry. Problems to navigation had long been recognised and the first suggestions for creating a lock "near Clifton Ferry" occurred in 1793, being raised again in 1811.

[[Image:Cliftonlock02.JPG|thumb|left|Taken when a high stream is running almost level over the tumbling bay and backwater. The lower marker is the flood level in 2003; the higher marker in 1894]]
The construction of the lock cut was delayed because the owner of the land was "a lunatic", but it was eventually completed in 1822 together with the lock. No weir was built at the time, giving rise to complaints. In 1826, the Lord Mayor of London visited Oxford by boat, and the City Barge, [[shallop]] and attendant boats were "detained at Clifton a considerable length of time.

The weir was eventually erected on the old navigation in 1835. It was enlarged by 1877 and a tumbling bay was created close to the lock. The lock cut bridges were rebuilt in 1884.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to the Lock==

The lock is at the end of a long track which starts on the [[A415 road]] to Abingdon just after it leaves Clifton Hampden (10mph signs). On the way to the lock, this track meets another track from the end of the High Street Clifton Hampden. The status of these tracks is unclear as signs state "Farm only".

==Reach above the lock==

The Clifton cut takes the river for nearly a mile before it resumes its natural course. The reach is relatively dull and uninteresting, crossed about halfway along by the [[Appleford Railway Bridge]]. Just before [[Sutton Bridge, Oxfordshire|Sutton Bridge]] the river again divides between an old course via [[Sutton Courtenay]] and the Culham Cut.

The [[Thames Path]] follows the northern bank all the way to Culham Lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/46094 View from Clifton Lock] from geograph.org.uk

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Culham Lock]] 3.81 miles|downstream=[[Day's Lock]] 2.98 miles|location=SU547947}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.64844|N|1.21080|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU547947)|display=title}}

[[Category:1822 establishments]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

{{Oxfordshire-geo-stub}}
{{Oxfordshire-struct-stub}}

Caversham Lock

2009-02-24T17:08:21Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{fixbunching|beg}}
{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Caversham Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Caversham lock looking downstream.jpg|thumb|right|
|caption= Caversham lock looking downstream
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1778
|latest = 1875
|length = 131’ 4” (40.03m)
|width = 17’ 11” (5.46m)
|fall = 4’ 9” (1.44m)
|sealevel = 120'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 55 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates={{coord|51.46043|N|0.96791|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU718740)|display=inline,title}}
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{fixbunching|mid}}
{{Caversham Lock map}}
{{fixbunching|end}}
'''Caversham Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in England at [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]]. The lock is connected to '''De Bohun Island''', a somewhat larger than normal lock island. The original lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]] in 1778.

The weir is almost parallel to the lock and carries a footbridge across the river.

The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, and until recently there was also a boat yard and boat house used by the [[Environment Agency]]'s river patrol and maintenance services. {{As of|2007|11}}, proposals to redevelop the island and some adjoining land are under discussion.

==History==
A weir, mill, ferry and [[flash lock]] on the site were referenced in 1493 when granted to [[Notley Abbey]]. The pound lock opened in 1778, but the lock house, long promised, was not built until after 1819. In 1871 Reading Corporation planned to build a swingbridge over the lock cut upstream of the lock, but this was not implemented. The lock was rebuilt in 1875.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Access to and across the lock==
[[Image:Caversham lock and weir.jpg|thumb|left|Caversham Lock and Weir with the walkway]]
The lock is not far from [[Reading railway station]] and is easily accessible from the centre of Reading.

The lock can also be reached from the ''Lower Caversham'' area of the cross-river suburb of [[Caversham, Berkshire|Caversham]] via the weir and island, which provides a pedestrian route to the centre of Reading.

==Reach above the lock==

Soon after the lock is [[Reading Bridge]] followed by [[Fry's Island]] in the middle of the river. The built up part of Reading continues on the southern side to [[Caversham Bridge]], to which is attached [[Pipers Island]]. The northern bank passes through the suburb of Caversham, where [[St Mary's Island, River Thames|St Mary's Island]] is close to the bank.[[Reading Amateur Regatta]] is held annually in June between St Mary's Island and Caversham Bridge. [[Reading Festival]] is held on August Bank Holiday at Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue near Caversham Bridge. During the festival a temporary structure, [[Reading Festival Bridge]], links the site with parking and camping areas on the open meadows on the north bank. Here the [[Chiltern Hills]] can be seen in the background.
[[Image:CavershamLockReach01.JPG|left|thumb|View as the river turns north by Tilehurst and Purley]]
On the south bank, after the open space, is [[Tilehurst]], where the river turns north with the two islands of [[Appletree Eyot]] and [[Poplar Island, River Thames|Poplar Island]] in the centre of the river. The railway runs parallel to the river for some way on a high brick embankment, and further upstream on the southern bank is [[Purley-on-Thames]]. On the northern bank [[Mapledurham House]] comes into view as the river continues northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''' follows the southern bank to Mapledurham lock.

===Sports clubs===
* [[Reading Rowing Club]]
* Reading Canoe Club

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Crossings of the River Thames]]
*[[Islands in the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Mapledurham Lock]] 4.40 miles|downstream=[[Sonning Lock]] 2.63 miles|location=SU718740}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item line|upstream=[[Reading Bridge]]|downstream=[[Sonning Bridge]] & [[Sonning Backwater Bridges]]}}
{{River island start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item line X|upstream=[[Fry's Island]]|thisis = '''De Bohun Island'''|downstream=[[View Island]]}}
{{End box}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/ Official Thames site]
* [http://www.cavershamlife.co.uk/ Caversham Life, Living and Community]

[[Category:Islands in the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Reading, Berkshire]]
[[Category:Bridges across the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Bray Lock

2009-02-24T17:07:06Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Bray Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Bray lock, Berkshire.JPG
|caption= Bray Lock, Berkshire
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Buckinghamshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1845
|latest = 1888
|length = 134' 4" (40.94m)
|width = 17' 11" (5.46m)
|fall = 4' 9" (1.46m)
|sealevel = 69'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 29 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Boulters Lock map|Bray Lock}}
'''Bray Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] and [[weir]] on the [[River Thames]] in England near [[Bray, Berkshire|Bray]] and [[Dorney]] and is just above the [[M4 Thames Bridge, Maidenhead|M4 Bridge]] across the Thames. The lock is on the [[Buckinghamshire]] side of the river on the opposite bank from Bray itself and [[Maidenhead]] which are in [[Berkshire]]. The pound lock was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] relatively late in 1845 The lock keeper's cottage is on an island (Parting Eyot) between the lock and the [[weir]].

The weir is almost level with the lock and runs straight across to the opposite bank from the other side of the lock island.

==History==
There was a mill recorded here in [[Domesday book]] with water pens noted in 1632. Navigation may in earlier times have used [[Maidenhead Waterways|York Stream]] which went on the other side of Bray to Maidenhead. The first time a lock and weir was proposed was in 1833 for the "improvement of navigation two or three miles above". The fall between Maidenhead and Boveney was large, leading to shallows and a strong current. The towpath was on the Buckinghamshire bank, and navigation on the Berkshire side, so tow ropes had to pass across the island. The suggestion of a lock was made again in 1843 and a lock house built on Parting Eyot with an open-sided lock the following year. The miller contributed to the cost of the weir. The lock was often left open except when river levels were low. Sides were added before 1877 and the lock and weir were rebuilt in 1885.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref>

==Reach above the lock==

Immediately above the lock is [[Headpile Eyot]]. Further along the reach is [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel|Brunel]]'s [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge]], known as the "Sounding Bridge" from the spectacular echo underneath it. The Maidenhead bank is lined with large Edwardian houses up to [[Maidenhead Bridge]] beside which is the Skindles Hotel once a notorious rendez-vous for illicit coupling. Above the bridge are the islands of [[Bridge Eyot]] and [[Grass Eyot]] before Boulter's Lock with [[Taplow]] on the [[Buckinghamshire]] side. [[Maidenhead Regatta]] used to take place from the railway bridge in August, but has been transferred to [[Dorney Lake]]. The Maidenhead Junior regatta is held in May.

===Sports clubs===
*[[Maidenhead Rowing Club]]

===Thames Path===

The [[Thames Path]] follows the Bucks (Eastern) bank to [[Maidenhead Bridge]], which it crosses, and then proceeds on the Berkshire side to [[Boulter's Lock]].

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Rowing on the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Boulter's Lock]] 2.13 miles|downstream=[[Boveney Lock]] 3.17 miles|location=SU909797}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}

{{coord|51.50893|N|0.69159|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU909797)|display=title}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Windsor and Maidenhead]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]

Benson Lock

2009-02-24T17:05:55Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Benson Lock<ref>[http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf Statistics from Environment Agency ''A User's Guide to the River Thames:Part II'']</ref>
|image= Benson_Lock.jpg|right|thumb|240px|]]
|caption= The keeper's house and lock at Benson Lock
|waterway = [[River Thames]]
|county = [[Oxfordshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Hydraulic
|first = 1788
|latest = 1870
|length = 133’ 1” (40.56m)
|width = 17’ 11” (5.46m)
|fall = 6’ 2” (1.87m)
|sealevel = 144'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 72 miles
|endb =
|distendb =
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Benson Lock map}}
'''Benson Lock''' is a [[lock (water transport)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]] in England, close to [[Benson, Oxfordshire|Benson]],[[Oxfordshire]] but on the opposite bank of the river. The first pound lock here was built by the [[Thames Navigation Commission]] in 1788 and it was replaced by the present masonry lock in 1870. The distance between Benson Lock and [[Cleeve Lock]] downstream is 6.5 miles (10.4 km) - the longest distance between locks on the River Thames.

The weir runs from the lock island level with the lock across to the Benson side. There is a [[footbridge]] over the weir which replaced the [[ferry]] which operated here previously.

==History==
[[Image:Bensonweir.JPG|thumb|240px|left|Walkway across Benson Weir (river in full spate)]]The history of the [[weir]] can be traced back into the late 1300s when there was a mill at "Bensington". The mill island and stream are on the Benson side downstream of the lock although the mill itself is long gone. There was also a [[flash lock]], although the first definite reference to this is in 1746. The pound lock was built of oak in 1788 and it is noted that, uniquely for this lock, "Low Country men" were employed at a higher than average wage. Thacker conjectures that these were Dutch specialists. The lock was rebuilt of masonry in 1870. Originally the lock was attended (or not - according to some accounts) by the miller, but there is reference to a (deserted) lock house in 1865.<ref>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> The present lock keeper's house dates from 1913.

==Access to and across the lock==
The lock is a short distance from the town of Benson and can be reached across the weir.

==Reach above the lock==
[[Image:ShillingfordRiver01.JPG||left|thumb|Winter view of the river upstream from Shillingford]]
About halfway along the reach, the river passes through [[Shillingford]] and under [[Shillingford Bridge]]. For a great part of the way the two round topped hills of the [[Wittenham Clumps]] are in view. After Shillingford the [[River Thame]] enters the river from the direction of [[Dorchester, Oxfordshire|Dorchester]] which is a short way to the north.

The '''[[Thames Path]]''', which crosses the river at the lock, follows a road in Benson and rejoins the river, running along the northern/eastern bank to Shillingford. At Shillingford the path follows a diversion through the town, rejoining the river outside the town. It continues on the northern bank, over the River Thame to [[Little Wittenham Bridge]] where it crosses just before Day's Lock.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Crossings of the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Day's Lock]] 3.96 miles|downstream=[[Cleeve Lock]] 6.50 miles|location=SU612912}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River item line|upstream = [[Shillingford Bridge]]|downstream = [[Wallingford Bridge]]}}
{{River bridge start|River=[[Thames Path]]}}
{{River item line|upstream = northern bank [[Day's Lock]]
|downstream = southern bank [[Goring and Streatley Bridge]]}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.61631|N|1.11748|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU612912)|display=title}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Thames Path]]
{{UK-canal-stub}}

Blake’s Lock

2009-02-24T15:41:42Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

{{Infobox Waterlock
|lock_name = Blakes's Lock
|image=
|caption=
|waterway = [[River Kennet]]
|county = [[Berkshire]]
|maint = [[Environment Agency]]
|operation = Manual
|first = 1802
|latest =
|length = 122' 8" (37.39m)
|width = 18' 11" (5.75m)
|fall = 3' 6" (1.07m)
|sealevel = 120'
|enda = [[Teddington Lock]]
|distenda = 55 miles
|endb = [[Bristol Harbour]]
|distendb = 87 miles
| map_cue=
| map_image=
| map_text=
| map_width=
| coordinates=
| lat=
| long=
| extra=
}}
{{Blakes Lock map}}
'''Blake's Lock''' is a [[Canal lock|lock]] situated on the [[River Kennet]] in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], [[England]]. It is on the short reach of the River Kennet which is administered as if it were part of the [[River Thames]] and is hence owned and managed by the [[Environment Agency]].

Blake's was originally a [[flash lock]], and once owned by the then Kennet & Avon Company. It was converted to a timber-constructed [[pound lock]] in 1802 to improve navigation from the Thames into the River Kennet enabling boats to travel all the way to the [[Bristol]] area. The lock retains its manual beams (not the originals, new beams were fitted in 2006), so far avoiding the progress towards hydraulic power.<ref>{{cite web | title=Blake's Lock | work=River Thames Guide | url=http://www.riverthames.co.uk/about_thames/3687.htm | accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref> <ref> {{cite book |last=Pearson |first=Michael |authorlink= |title=Kennet & Avon Middle Thames:Pearson's Canal Companion |year=2003 |publisher=Central Waterways Supplies|location=Rugby |isbn=0-907864-97-X}} </ref>

Next to the lock is the riverside museum which tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames.The museum occupies two former industrial buildings, the Screen House and the Turbine House.<ref>{{cite web | title=Riverside Museum | work=Reading Library Service | url=http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/galleries/blakes.htm | accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref>

*Contact Telephone Number: 0118 957 2251<ref>{{cite web | title=Lock Statistics | work=Floating Down the River | url=http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/locks2.htm | accessdate=2006-11-13}}</ref>

==References==

<div class="references-small"><references /></div>

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]
*[[Locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal]]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Kennet]] / [[Kennet and Avon Canal]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[County Lock]]|downstream=[[Sonning Lock]] (on [[River Thames]])|location=SU727735}}
{{End box}}

{{coord|51.45582|N|0.95506|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU727735)|display=title}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Reading, Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal]]

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}
{{water-stub}}

William Jessop

2009-02-19T14:25:48Z

Mayalld: fix previous AWB errors using AWB

'''William Jessop''' ([[23 January]] [[1745]] – [[18 November]] [[1814]]) was a noted [[England|English]] [[civil engineer]], particularly famed for his work on [[canal]]s, [[harbour]]s and early [[railways]] in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

==Early life==
Jessop was born in [[Devonport, Devon]] in 1745, the son of Josias Jessop, a foreman shipwright in the Naval Dockyard. Josias Jessop was responsible for the repair and maintenance of Rudyerd’s Tower, a wooden lighthouse on the [[Eddystone|Eddystone Rock]]. He carried out this task for twenty years until 1755, when the lighthouse burnt down. [[John Smeaton]], a leading civil engineer, drew up plans for a new stone lighthouse and Josias became responsible for the overseeing the building work. The two men became close friends, and when Josias died in 1761, two years after the completion of the lighthouse, William Jessop was taken on as a pupil by Smeaton (who also acted as Jessop’s guardian), working on various canal schemes in [[Yorkshire]].<ref name=rolt>Rolt, L.T.C., “Great Engineers”, 1962, G. Bell and Sons Ltd, ISBN</ref>

Jessop worked as Smeaton’s assistant for a number of years before beginning to work as an engineer in his own right. He assisted Smeaton with the Calder and Hebble and the Aire and Calder navigations in Yorkshire. <ref name=rolt/>

==Grand Canal of Ireland==
The first major work that Jessop is known to have carried out was the [[Grand Canal of Ireland]]. This had begun as a Government project in 1753, and it had taken seventeen years to build fourteen miles (21 km) of canal from the Dublin end. In 1772 a private company was formed to complete the canal, and consulted John Smeaton. Smeaton sent Jessop to take control of the project as principal engineer. Jessop re-surveyed the proposed line of the canal and carried the canal over the [[River Liffey]], via the Leinster Aqueduct. He also drove the canal across the great [[Bog of Allen]], a feat comparable with [[George Stephenson]]’s crossing of the [[Chat Moss]] bog with the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]]. The canal was carried over the bog on a high embankment. Jessop also identified sources of water and built reservoirs, so that the canal was in no danger of running dry. Having seen to all of the important details Jessop returned to England, leaving a deputy in charge to complete the canal. This was finally done in 1805. It seems that Jessop was closely involved with the canal in Ireland until about 1787, after which time, other work flowed in.<ref name=rolt/>

==Relationship with other engineers==
Jessop was a very modest man, who did not seek self-aggrandisement. Unlike other engineers, he was not jealous of rising young engineers, but rather encouraged them. He would also recommend another engineer if he was too busy to be able to undertake a commission himself. He recommended [[John Rennie the Elder|John Rennie]] for the post of engineer to the [[Lancaster Canal]] Company, an appointment that helped to establish Rennie’s reputation. When Jessop was consulting engineer to the [[Ellesmere Canal]] Company, in 1793, the company appointed the relatively unknown [[Thomas Telford]] as resident engineer. Telford had no previous experience as a designer of canals, but with Jessop’s advice and guidance, Telford made a success of the project. He supported Telford, even when the Company thought that the latter’s designs for aqueducts were too ambitious.<ref name=rolt/>

==Cromford Canal==
In 1789 Jessop was appointed chief engineer to the [[Cromford Canal]] Company. The proposed canal was intended to carry limestone, coal and iron ore from the Derwent and upper Erewash valleys and join the nearby Erewash Canal. The important features of this canal are the Derwent Viaduct, which was a single span viaduct carrying the canal over the [[River Derwent, Derbyshire|River Derwent]], and the [[Butterley Tunnel]] (formerly the Ripley Tunnel). In 1793, the Derwent Viaduct partially collapsed, and Jessop shouldered the blame, saying that he had not made the front walls strong enough. He had the viaduct repaired and strengthened at his own expense. The Butterley Tunnel was 2,966 yards (2712m) long, {{convert|9|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}} high and required thirty-three shafts to be sunk from the surface in order to build it. Jessop built the Butterley Reservoir above the tunnel, extending for {{convert|50|acre|m2}}.<ref name=rolt/>

==Butterley Company==
In 1790 Jessop founded, jointly with partners [[Benjamin Outram]], Francis Beresford and John Wright, the [[Butterley Company|Butterley Iron Works]] in [[Derbyshire]] to manufacture (amongst other things) cast-iron [[rail profile|edge rails]] – a design Jessop had used successfully on a [[wagonway|horse-drawn railway]] scheme for coal wagons between [[Nanpantan]] and [[Loughborough]], [[Leicestershire]] (1789). Outram was concerned with the production of ironwork and equipment for Jessop’s engineering projects.<ref name=hadfield/>

==Grand Junction Canal==
The [[Oxford Canal]] had been built by [[James Brindley]] and carried coal to large parts of southern England. However it did not provide a sufficiently direct route between the [[Midlands]] and [[London]]. As a result, a new canal was proposed to run from the Oxford Canal at [[Braunston]], near [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], and to end at the [[Thames]] at [[Brentford]], a length of ninety miles. Jessop was appointed Chief Engineer to the Canal Company in 1793. The canal was especially difficult to plan because, whereas other canals tended to follow river valleys and only crossed a watershed when unavoidable, the new canal had to cross the rivers Ouse, Nene and others. An aqueduct was built at [[Wolverton, Milton Keynes|Wolverton]] to carry the canal across the Ouse valley. Whilst the three-arch stone aqueduct was being built, a set of nine temporary locks were used to carry the canal down one side of the valley and up the other. The aqueduct failed in 1808, and was replaced by an iron one in 1811. Two tunnels also had to be built, at [[Braunston]] and [[Blisworth Tunnel|Blisworth]]. The Blisworth Tunnel caused great problems, and was unfinished when the rest of the canal was ready. In fact Jessop considered abandoning it and using locks to carry the canal over the ridge. Jessop’s temporary solution was a railway line laid over the ridge to carry traffic until the tunnel was completed. The [[Grand Junction Canal]] was enormously important in encouraging trade between London and the Midlands.<ref name=rolt/>

==West India Docks==
The [[West India Docks]], built on the [[Isle of Dogs]], was the first large wet docks built in the [[Port of London]]. Between 1800 and 1802 a wet dock area of {{convert|295|acre|km2}} was created with a depth of {{convert|24|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and accommodating 600 ships. Jessop was the Chief Engineer for the docks, with Ralph Walker as his assistant.<ref name=rolt/>

==Surrey Iron Railway==
In 1799 separate proposals were put forward for a canal from London to [[Portsmouth]] and for a tramway carrying horse-drawn carriages over the same route. The first part of the proposed [[Surrey Iron Railway]] was to be from [[Wandsworth]] to [[Croydon]], and Jessop was asked for his opinion on the two opposing schemes. He declared that the tramway was a better scheme, as a canal would require too much water and would unduly reduce the supply in the [[River Wandle]]. It was agreed to build a tramway from Wandsworth to Croydon, as well a building a basin at Wandsworth. Jessop was appointed Chief Engineer of the project in 1801. In 1802 the Wandsworth Basin and the line were completed. There seems to be doubt as to the gauge of the line with some estimates stating {{convert|4|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} and others stating 4ft 8½in.<ref name=rolt/>

In 1803 the next phase was authorised. This was for a line from Croydon via [[Merstham]] to [[Godstone]] in [[Surrey]]. Jessop was again appointed Chief Engineer, with his son [[Josias Jessop|Josias]] as his assistant. The line reached Mestham but was never continued to Godstone. The total distance of the tramway from Wandsworth was {{convert|18|mi|km}}. The tramway was eventually overtaken by the advent of steam locomotives.<ref name=rolt/>

==Later life==
From 1784 to 1805 Jessop lived in [[Newark, England|Newark]] in [[Nottinghamshire]], where he twice served as town mayor.<ref name=hadfield> Hadfield, C. and Skempton, ''A. W. William Jessop, Engineer'' (Newton Abbot 1979 </ref>

In his later life, Jessop became increasingly inflicted by a form of paralysis, and 1805 marked the end of his active career. He died at his home, [[Butterley Hall]], on 18 November 1814. The [[Jessop Memorial]] was erected a year after his death , this can be seen east of Ripley in Codnor park. The {{convert|70|ft|m|abbr=on}} Doric column can no longer be scaled due to being unsafe. His son [[Josias Jessop|Josias]] became a successful engineer in his own right.<ref name=rolt/>

==Legacy==
Jessop was in the unusual position of bridging the gap between the canal engineers and the railway engineers who came later. His name did not gain the lasting fame that it deserved because of his modesty. Indeed some of his works have been wrongly attributed to engineers who acted as his assistants. Unlike some engineers, such as George Stephenson, Jessop did not stoop to undignified wrangles with fellow professionals. He was highly regarded by almost all those who had worked with him or for him.<ref name=rolt/>

==List of Jessop’s engineering projects==
*the [[Calder and Hebble Navigation]] (1758–1770)
*the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]]
*the [[Ripon Canal]] (1767)
*the [[Chester Canal]] (May 1778) as a contractor with James Pinkerton
*the [[Barnsley Canal]] (1792–1802)
*the [[Grand Canal of Ireland]] between the [[River Shannon]] and [[Dublin]] (1773–1805)
*the [[Grand Junction Canal]] (1793–1805), later part of the [[Grand Union Canal]]
*the [[Cromford Canal]], [[Derbyshire]]/[[Nottinghamshire]]
*the [[Nottingham Canal]] (1792–1796)
*the [[River Trent Navigation]]
*the [[Grantham Canal]] (1793–1797), the first English canal entirely dependent on [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] for its water supply
*oversight of the [[Ellesmere Canal]] (1793–1805), detailed design undertaken by [[Thomas Telford]])
*the [[Rochdale Canal]] (1794–1798)
*the [[West India Docks]] and [[Isle of Dogs]] canal, [[London]] (1800–1802); [[John Rennie (engineer)|John Rennie]] was a consultant on the Docks project
*the [[Surrey Iron Railway]], linking [[Wandsworth]] and [[Croydon]] (1801–1802), arguably the world's first public railway—albeit horse-drawn
*the '[[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]]' in [[Bristol]] (1804–1809)
*the [[Kilmarnock and Troon Railway]] (1807–1812; the first railway in Scotland authorised by [[Act of Parliament]])
*harbours at [[Shoreham-by-Sea]] and [[Littlehampton]], [[West Sussex]]<ref name=hadfield/>

==External links==
*[http://www.codnor.info/Monument.php Codnor & District Local History & Heritage website] - Jessop Monument webpage

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]
==References==
{{reflist}}



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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jessop, William}}
[[Category:1745 births]]
[[Category:1814 deaths]]
[[Category:English inventors]]
[[Category:English civil engineers]]
[[Category:Canal engineers]]
[[Category:People from Plymouth]]
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[[cs:William Jessop]]
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Standedge-Tunnels

2009-02-19T10:29:38Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

[[Image:Standedge Tunnel End, Marsden, West Yorkshire.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The tunnel entrance at Marsden]]
{{Standedge Tunnel map}}
{{Location map|United Kingdom
|label =
|background = white
|lat = 53.591283
|long = -1.95996
|caption = Map showing the location of the Standedge Tunnels in the United Kingdom
|float = right
|width = 185
}}

The '''Standedge Tunnels''' (Standedge is normally pronounced ''Stannige'') are four [[Parallel (geometry)|parallel]] [[tunnel]]s that run beneath the [[Pennines]] at the traditional [[Standedge]] crossing point between [[Marsden, West Yorkshire|Marsden]] and [[Diggle, Greater Manchester|Diggle]], on the edges of the [[conurbation]]s of [[West Yorkshire]] and [[Greater Manchester]] respectively, in northern [[England]].

There are three [[Rail transport|railway]] tunnels and a [[canal]] tunnel (on the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]]). The canal tunnel is the longest and oldest of the tunnels, and holds the record as the longest and highest canal tunnel in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. All four tunnels are linked by cross-tunnels or [[adit]]s at strategic locations within the tunnels. The adits allowed the railway tunnels to be built much more quickly by allowing 'waste spoil'(sic) to be removed by boat and reducing the need for shafts for construction.

Of the railway tunnels, only the tunnel built in 1894 is currently used for rail traffic. Closed in 1943, the canal tunnel was re-opened in May 2001. The '''Standedge Visitors Centre''', at the Marsden end of the tunnel, serves as a base for boat trips into the canal tunnel and hosts an exhibition which depicts the various crossings.

==The canal tunnel==
The Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It is {{convert|5029|m}} long, {{convert|194|m}} underground at the deepest point, and {{convert|196|m}} above sea level.<ref name = Visitor_Centre>{{cite web | url = http://www.standedge.co.uk/index.htm | title = Standedge Tunnel - A true wonder of the waterways | publisher = British Waterways | accessdate = 2009-01-23 }}</ref>

===Construction===
[[Benjamin Outram]] was the consulting engineer for the construction of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (then known as the Huddersfield Canal), which links the towns of [[Ashton-under-Lyne]] and [[Huddersfield]] through the tunnel. However, Outram had so many commitments that construction took place under the supervision of a young and inexperienced surveyor, Nicholas Brown.

Layout of the tunnel was difficult. It would be necessary to lay out a straight line across the mountain top and calculate how deep below the canal would be. At intervals, pits would be sunk to the requisite depth and the tunnel dug outwards from their bases.

In addition it was necessary to drive drainage adits. Outram had given his opinion that the hill was composed of gritstone and strong shale and should not present any difficulties. In fact he had not expected the need for a lining. It was an extremely ambitious undertaking for the time and Outram was not yet an established engineer, though he had gained experience with the [[Butterley Tunnel]] on the [[Cromford Canal]]. Nevertheless more than the expected amount of water entered the workings.

The adits allowed so-called 'water engines' to be used. These were simply two buckets on a rope which ran over a pulley at the top of the shaft. One bucket would be filled with spoil from the workings and the other would be filled with water which counterbalance the spoil causing it to rise to the top. Once unloaded, the water would be drained allowing the spoil bucket to fall for another load. Although steam engine pumps were tried, they proved inefficient and expensive to run. A further problem was maintaining an adequate air supply for the workers. This was achieved by injecting water in a fine spray at the top of the shaft, which would carry sufficient fresh air down with it.

Work on the tunnel was fraught with difficulty and progress was slow. Gunpowder was used to blast through the solid rock and the work took place by candlelight. In ''circa'' 1801, Outram resigned from his post in order to devote himself entirely to work at [[Butterley Company|Benjamin Outram and Company]], which was expanding rapidly. Following his resignation, [[Thomas Telford]] was called in to advise on the tunnel's completion. Before completion, a severe misalignment was found in the tunnel due to inaccuracy on the part of the surveyor who originally laid it out. The tunnel was finally pierced through in 1809.

The canal tunnel was brick-lined in places, though bare rock was left exposed in others.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways>{{cite web | url=http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield/standedge3.htm | title = History | publisher = Pennine Waterways | accessdate = 2006-10-16}}</ref>

===Re-financing===
By 1804, work was well behind schedule and financially overstretched. Digging was progressing at each end of the tunnel, but the central section was untouched. Moreover there were problems along the canal from unworkable economies of design and bad workmanship, but also the disorganising effect of interference by the canal committee who, to be fair, were not experts in engineering matters, but were periodically starved of funds. In 1805, a further Act of Parliament was sought to raise more investment and [[Thomas Telford]] was asked to prepare a programme for completing the work.

===Completion===
The tunnel eventually opened in 1811, and the canal then became a through route 13 years after the rest of it had been completed and 17 years after work first began, at a cost of £123,803. Despite multiple problems, the building of the Huddersfield Narrow canal showed that the technique of quantity surveying had advanced greatly. Telford's report covered every expenditure to the last bucket; it was followed to the letter and the canal finally opened in 1811. Between 1811 and 1840 the tunnel was used on average by 40 boats daily.<ref> ''The Saddleworth Story, by Mary Hodge'', p. 19. 5th reprint, 1994. http://www.saddleworth-historical-society.org.uk/bibliography.htm</ref>

===Method of operation===
The canal tunnel is only wide enough for one [[narrowboat]] for much of its length, and to save on cost, as in some other canal tunnels in England, no [[towpath|tow-path]] was provided in the tunnel. As canal boats were horse-drawn, the boats had to be [[Legging (canals)|legged]] through the tunnel - a process where one or more boatmen lay on the cargo and pushed against the roof or walls of the tunnel with their legs.

There are several widened points in the tunnel, originally designed to be passing places. However, due to intense competition between boat crews, two-way operation in the tunnel was found to be unpracticable. The canal company introduced a new method of working where one end of the tunnel was closed off by a locked chain, preventing access to the tunnel unless authorised. A similar system is used today.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===The railway influence===
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal was purchased by the former [[Huddersfield and Manchester Railway]] in 1846. The canal tunnel proved most beneficial in assisting with the construction of the first railway tunnel at this location, as no vertical shafts were needed in the construction and the canal was an easy way to help remove the large amount of spoil excavated. Several cross-passages were retained.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===Closure===
The last commercial boat to use the tunnel passed through in 1921, and the canal was officially closed in 1944, after which it soon fell into disrepair. One boat managed to struggle from one end of the canal to the other in 1948, but this soon became impracticable as the canal was blocked at several locations on both sides of the Pennines.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

The canal tunnel became unsafe, and was closed off by large iron gates at each end. A conventional narrowboat would have been unable to navigate the tunnel due to several rockfalls inside.<ref name = Pennine_Waterways/>

===Restoration and modern-day operation===
The canal tunnel was the beneficiary of a £5 million restoration project as part of an effort to re-open the entire canal. Several rock-lined parts of the tunnel were found to be unstable. Where possible, these were stabilised by rock bolts, or where impractical, concrete was used to stabilise the rock face. The tunnel re-opened in May 2001.

Most modern canal boats are diesel-powered. When the canal was reopened it was felt that it would not be safe for boaters to navigate the tunnel under their own diesel power, due to the extreme length of the tunnel and the lack of ventilation. Instead, electric tug boats haul narrowboats through the tunnel.<ref name = Modern_Use>{{cite web | url = http://www.huddersfieldcanal.com/canal/tunnel.htm | title = Modern Operation | publisher = Huddersfield Canal Society | accessdate = 2009-01-23}}</ref>

===Future operation===
In September 2007, it was identified that significant repairs were required to one of the electric tug modules, and [[British Waterways]] carried out a trial run for self-steer operation. The trip boat Pennine Moonraker was taken through the tunnel under her own power by owner John Lund, shadowed by a BW electric tug. The outcome of these trials is awaited.

==The railway tunnels==
There are three railway tunnels, running parallel to each other and the canal tunnel. The rail tunnels are level for their whole length providing the only section of level track on the line where [[water trough]]s could be installed to provide steam locomotives with fresh water supplies without the requirement for the train to stop.

===The 1848 tunnel===
The first railway tunnel at Standedge was completed by the [[London and North Western Railway]] in 1848, having acquired the former Huddersfield and Manchester Railway in 1847. This was a single line tunnel with a length of 3 miles, 57 yards (4803 m). The tunnel is located immediately to the south of, but at a slightly higher level than, the canal tunnel. Cross-passages or adits were dug linking the canal tunnel to the rail tunnel to facilitate the removal of spoil during construction.<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref><ref name=hud1cf>{{cite web | title = Huddersfield Narrow Canal Facts| url = http://www.huddersfield1.co.uk/huddersfield/narrowcanal/huddscanalfacts.htm | publisher = Huddersfield One | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The 1871 tunnel===
The single track 1848 tunnel soon proved to be a bottleneck for rail traffic between Huddersfield and Manchester, and in 1871 a second parallel tunnel was opened. This tunnel was also a single line tunnel with a length of 3 miles, 57 yards (4803 m), and was situated to the south of the first rail tunnel, to which it is linked by adits.<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The 1894 tunnel===
In 1894 the London and North Western Railway opened a third rail tunnel, with double track and a length of 3 miles, 60 yards (4806 m). For most of its length, it is situated to the north of the canal tunnel, but passes over the canal tunnel just inside each tunnel entrance. The 1894 tunnel is linked to the 1848 tunnel by adits which pass above the canal tunnel; railway passengers can see the white painted arches of these adits near the ground on the southern side of the tunnel. This tunnel is the third longest rail tunnel in Britain after the [[Severn Tunnel]] and the [[Sheffield]] to Manchester route's [[Totley Tunnel]].<ref name=mlhgct>{{cite web | title = Communications and Transport in the Marsden area | url = http://www.marsdenhistory.co.uk/communications.html | publisher = Marsden Local History Group | accessdate = 2007-01-07 }}</ref>

===The rail tunnels today===
Today only the 1894 rail tunnel is still used for rail traffic, although all three rail tunnels are still maintained. The 1848 tunnel is used to provide an emergency escape route for the other tunnels, and has been made accessible to road vehicles such as [[fire engine]]s and [[ambulance]]s. All passages through the canal tunnel are accompanied by a vehicle in the 1848 tunnel for safety purposes.

==The Visitors' Centre==
[[Image:Standedge-tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal]]
The Standedge Visitors Centre is situated at the Marsden end of the tunnel. It is located in the former warehouse, used for [[transshipment]] of goods from canal barge to [[packhorse]] during the period between 1798, when the canal reached Marsden, and 1811, when the tunnel opened. The centre contains exhibitions on the history of the tunnels, and on the canal tunnel's recent restoration.

The nearby ''Tunnel End Cottages'', which formerly housed canal maintenance workers, house a cafe and the booking office for 30 minute boat trips into the tunnel. These trips use the same electric tugs as are used to tow private boats through the tunnel, in this case pushing a passenger carying barge.

The visitors centre is situated about half a mile (0.8 km) to the west of [[Marsden railway station]] and can easily be reached from the station by walking along the [[towpath]] of the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], which runs adjacent to the station. Adjacent to the station is the headquarters of the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]'s [[Marsden Moor Estate]], which includes a public exhibition, ''Welcome to Marsden'', that gives an overview of the area and its transport history.<ref name=ntwhat>{{cite web | title = Marsden Moor - What to see and do | publisher = National Trust | accessdate = 2006-12-24 | url = http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-marsdenmoorestate/w-marsdenmoor-seeanddo.htm }}</ref>

==References==
<references />

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of Great Britain]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==External links==
*Aerial photos of the {{mmuknr photo|400590|407965|5|Diggle portal}} and the {{mmuknr photo|403990|411930|5|Marsden portal}}
*[http://www.standedge.co.uk/ Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre]
*[http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Standedge_Tunnel/sid2082 Waterscape services directory]
*[http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield/standedge1.htm Standedge Tunnel]
*[http://www.tripsbytrain.com/trip0104/index.html A walk between Marsden Station and Standedge Tunnel] from TripsByTrain.com

{{coord|53.59107|N|1.96219|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SE026105)|display=title}}

[[Category:Canal tunnels in England]]
[[Category:Railway tunnels in England]]
[[Category:Transport in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Rail transport in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Oldham]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kirklees]]
[[Category:Kirklees]]

Schleusen und Wehre der Themse

2009-02-19T10:28:43Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

[[Image:Mapledurham Lock.jpg|thumb|right|Mapledurham Lock]]

The [[England|English]] [[River Thames]] is navigable from [[Lechlade]] to the sea, and this part of the river falls 71 metres (234 feet). There are 45 [[lock (water transport)|locks]] on the river, each with one or more adjacent [[weir]]s. These lock and weir combinations are used for controlling the flow of water down the river, most notably when there is a risk of flooding, and provide for navigation above the [[tideway]].

==History==
[[Image:Mapledurham Weir.JPG|thumb|right|The weir at Mapledurham Lock]]
[[Image:Mapledurham Watermill 1.JPG|thumb|right|Mapledurham Watermill]]
From the Middle Ages, the fall on the river in its middle and upper sections was used to drive [[watermill]]s for the production of flour and paper and various other purposes such as metal-beating. This involved the construction of weirs in order to divert water into the mills. The weirs, however, presented an obstacle to navigation and to solve this problem locks were built alongside the weirs to enable boats to be moved between levels.

Originally these were [[flash lock]]s that were essentially removable sections of weir. A boat moving downstream would wait above the lock until the lock was opened, which would allow a "flash" of water to pass through, carrying the boat with it. In the opposite direction boats would be winched or towed through the open lock. The difficulty of using flash locks, and the consequent loss of water and income to the miller, eventually lead to their replacement with [[lock (water transport)|pound locks]]. Locks similar to these early pound locks still exist on the river, although in many cases they have been enlarged and mechanised.

On the lower section, the river was [[tide|tidal]] as far as [[Staines]] until the beginning of the 19th century and was under the control of the [[City of London]]. The City's jurisdiction was marked by the [[London Stone (riparian)|London Stone]]. The principle of lock/weir combination, which maintained the depth of water for navigation and reduced the danger of flooding, was extended over the tidal section as far as [[Teddington]] in a series of locks built after 1810.

The first authority charged with managing navigation and lock building was the [[Oxford-Burcot Commission]], which built the locks at Iffley and Sandford below Oxford in 1633. In 1751, the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]] were established and built eight locks between Shiplake Lock and Boulters lock between 1770 and 1773. The opening of the [[Thames and Severn Canal]] from Lechlade in 1789 led to the building of many of the locks upstream of Shiplake. The locks built on the tidal section required individual Acts of Parliament, and the [[Thames Conservancy]] took over their management from the City in 1857. In 1866 the Thames Conservancy became responsible for all river management and installed more locks over the years, the last being Eynsham and King’s in 1928. In 1908 an Act transferred responsibility for the Thames from a point {{convert|350|yd|m}} below Teddington Lock to the [[Port of London Authority]], and this included Richmond Lock.<ref>Fred S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume 1 General History'' David & Charles 1968</ref> The Thames Conservancy was subsumed into the [[Thames Water Authority]] in 1974. With the privatization of water supply in 1990 the river management functions passed to the new [[National Rivers Authority]] and in 1996 to the Environment Agency. Only Richmond Lock remains under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority.

==Operation==
[[Image:PentonHLock.JPG|thumb|right|Penton Hook Lock with City Arms on the House. The green box is the hydraulic control system]]
[[Image:uk-goring-lock.jpg|thumb|right|Goring Lock demonstrates the common juxtaposition of weir, lock island, lock keeper's house and lock]]
[[Image:Lockboards.JPG|thumb|right|Choice of Yellow and Red warning boards which are placed on lock gates when navigation is hazardous]]
[[Image:Boultersjuly06kayaker.jpg|right|upright|thumb|Kayaker at Boulter's Weir]]
=== Management ===
From the head of the river to the start of the [[tide|tidal]] section at [[Teddington Lock]], the river is managed by the [[Environment Agency]], which has the twin responsibilities of managing the flow of water to control flooding, and providing for navigation. As a result all the locks and weirs on the river, except the semi-tidal [[Richmond Lock]], are owned and operated by the Environment Agency. Richmond Lock is managed by the [[Port of London Authority]].

Each of the Environment Agency's locks and weirs is manned by a [[lock keeper]], who normally lives in a house adjacent to the lock. The lock keeper's duties involve both operating the lock, and managing the river levels above the lock by adjusting the weir openings.

=== Locks ===
Most locks are operated by their keepers between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from June to August, with progressively shorter hours as the hours of daylight reduce, and they are not operated during the lock-keeper's lunch hour between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. During the summer months Assistant Lock Keepers are employed to deal with the heavy traffic and avoid the lunch-time closure. However [[Teddington Lock]], which is the most downstream of the Environment Agency locks and separates the non-tidal river from the tideway, is manned 24 hours a day. During winter, some locks will be closed for maintenance and the status has to be checked with the Environment Agency.

The locks at the upper end of the river, from [[St John's Lock]] to [[King's Lock]], are manually operated. All other locks on the Thames are hydraulically operated. All locks can be operated by boat crews outside manning hours, although many of the hydraulic locks must be operated manually in this mode. The Environment Agency has in recent years been modifying the hydraulic locks to allow boater operation of the power system when the lock keeper is not present

Locks are popular visitor attractions, and many serve refreshments. Locks were often built adjacent to islands and therefore many are situated in remote locations, hard to find and can only be reached on foot.

=== Weirs ===

The Environment Agency has the responsibility of managing the flow of water along the length of the river to prevent flooding on particular reaches. The volume and speed of water down the river is managed by adjusting the gates at each weir. Occasionally this can result in a very fast stream rendering navigation more hazardous. These conditions are indicated by yellow or red warning boards on the lock gates and the status of all locks is published by the Agency.<ref>[http://riverconditions.visitthames.co.uk/ Environment Agency River Thames River Conditions]</ref> The Agency cannot legally stop navigation when the red boards are out, but continuing to travel is inadvisable and may invalidate a boater's insurance

Occasionally flooding is unavoidable, and the Agency issues Flood Warnings with four levels of severity - Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Severe Flood Warning and All Clear.<ref>[http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?type=Region&term=Thames Environment Agency Flood warnings Thames Region]</ref>

In recent years the [[North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization|Salmon Conservancy]] has been installing [[fish ladder]]s at weirs to allow [[salmon]] to travel up river.

Today the weirs are often used recreationally by [[kayakers]] and [[canoeists]] for activities such as [[whitewater slalom]] and [[playboating]]. Specifically, [[Hambledon Lock|Hambledon Weir]] and [[Boulter's Lock|Boutler's Weir]] have [[Environment Agency|EA]] sanctioned modifications made to them for such use.

=== Reaches ===

The locks and weirs, in effect, break the river up into 45 lakes or lock reaches. Each lock controls the reach above it and thus identifies it. Each reach has its own character and points of interest.

Many reaches host [[regatta]]s and other events and these are coordinated through a River User’s Group for the reach. The Environment Agency may close all or part of a reach for an event, but most regattas only require one side of the river which may then be closed off.

When the boats were [[Horse-drawn boat|horse drawn]], a [[towpath]] was needed on the bank side. This towpath has formed the basis for the [[Thames Path]] which runs between the source and mouth of the river. The path runs between locks and is therefore often the main means of access on land. Where the towpath changes from one side of the river to the other ferries were once provided. These have now almost all disappeared and the Thames Path has to be diverted to the nearest bridge, often a considerable distance, to cope with this.

== List of locks and weirs ==
[[Image:St John's Lock and Lechlade in background.JPG|thumb|right|upright|St John's lock - the beams indicate manual operation]]
[[Image:IffleyLock.jpg|thumb|right|Iffley Lock]]
[[Image:Marsh Lock.jpg|right|thumb|The footbridge at Marsh Lock]]
[[Image:Sunburylock.JPG|thumb|right|Paired locks at Sunbury]]
[[Image:Richmond Lock from Isleworth,Middx looking SE.jpg|thumb|right|Richmond Lock]]

There follows a list of locks and weirs in upstream to downstream order, from source to sea.
*[[St John's Lock]] (1790)
*[[Buscot Lock]] (1790)
*[[Grafton Lock]] (1896)
*[[Radcot Lock]] (1892)
*[[Rushey Lock]] (1790)
*[[Shifford Lock]] (1898)
*[[Northmoor Lock]] (1896)
*[[Pinkhill Lock]] (1791)
*[[Eynsham Lock]] (1928)
*[[King's Lock]] (1928)
*[[Godstow Lock]] (1790)
*[[Osney Lock]] (1790)
*[[Iffley Lock]] (1631)
*[[Sandford Lock]] (1631)
*[[Abingdon Lock]] (1790)
*[[Culham Lock]] (1809)
*[[Clifton Lock]] (1822)
*[[Day's Lock]] (1789)
*[[Benson Lock]] (1788)
*[[Cleeve Lock]] (1787)
*[[Goring Lock]] (1787)
*[[Whitchurch Lock]] (1787)
*[[Mapledurham Lock]] (1778)
*[[Caversham Lock]] (1778)
*[[Sonning Lock]] (1773)
*[[Shiplake Lock]] (1773)
*[[Marsh Lock]] (1773)
*[[Hambleden Lock]] (1773)
*[[Hurley Lock]] (1773)
*[[Temple Lock]] (1773)
*[[Marlow Lock]] (1773)
*[[Cookham Lock]] (1830)
*[[Boulter's Lock]] (1772)
*[[Bray Lock]] (1845)
*[[Boveney Lock]] (1838)
*[[Romney Lock]] (1798)
*[[Old Windsor Lock]] (1822)
*[[Bell Weir Lock]] (1817)
*[[Penton Hook Lock]] (1815)
*[[Chertsey Lock]] (1813)
*[[Shepperton Lock]] (1813)
*[[Sunbury Lock]] (1812)
*[[Molesey Lock]] (1815)
*[[Teddington Lock]] (1811)
*[[Richmond Lock]] (1894)

Additionally, [[Blake's Lock]] is located on a reach of the [[River Kennet]] that is administered by the Environment Agency as part of the River Thames, and is often counted as a Thames Lock. It is the only manual Thames lock below Oxford.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}

* [[Thames Barrier]]
* [[Crossings of the River Thames]]
* [[Islands in the River Thames]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf The '''must have''' guide for all Thames users] (published by the Environment Agency)
* [http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Environment Agency]
* [http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/locks.htm Floating down the river]

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames|*]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames|*]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire|*]]

William Jessop

2009-02-19T10:14:36Z

Mayalld: adding portal link using AWB

'''William Jessop''' ([[23 January]] [[1745]] – [[18 November]] [[1814]]) was a noted [[England|English]] [[civil engineer]], particularly famed for his work on [[canal]]s, [[harbour]]s and early [[railways]] in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

==Early life==
Jessop was born in [[Devonport, Devon]] in 1745, the son of Josias Jessop, a foreman shipwright in the Naval Dockyard. Josias Jessop was responsible for the repair and maintenance of Rudyerd’s Tower, a wooden lighthouse on the [[Eddystone|Eddystone Rock]]. He carried out this task for twenty years until 1755, when the lighthouse burnt down. [[John Smeaton]], a leading civil engineer, drew up plans for a new stone lighthouse and Josias became responsible for the overseeing the building work. The two men became close friends, and when Josias died in 1761, two years after the completion of the lighthouse, William Jessop was taken on as a pupil by Smeaton (who also acted as Jessop’s guardian), working on various canal schemes in [[Yorkshire]].<ref name=rolt>Rolt, L.T.C., “Great Engineers”, 1962, G. Bell and Sons Ltd, ISBN</ref>

Jessop worked as Smeaton’s assistant for a number of years before beginning to work as an engineer in his own right. He assisted Smeaton with the Calder and Hebble and the Aire and Calder navigations in Yorkshire. <ref name=rolt/>

==Grand Canal of Ireland==
The first major work that Jessop is known to have carried out was the [[Grand Canal of Ireland]]. This had begun as a Government project in 1753, and it had taken seventeen years to build fourteen miles (21 km) of canal from the Dublin end. In 1772 a private company was formed to complete the canal, and consulted John Smeaton. Smeaton sent Jessop to take control of the project as principal engineer. Jessop re-surveyed the proposed line of the canal and carried the canal over the [[River Liffey]], via the Leinster Aqueduct. He also drove the canal across the great [[Bog of Allen]], a feat comparable with [[George Stephenson]]’s crossing of the [[Chat Moss]] bog with the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]]. The canal was carried over the bog on a high embankment. Jessop also identified sources of water and built reservoirs, so that the canal was in no danger of running dry. Having seen to all of the important details Jessop returned to England, leaving a deputy in charge to complete the canal. This was finally done in 1805. It seems that Jessop was closely involved with the canal in Ireland until about 1787, after which time, other work flowed in.<ref name=rolt/>

==Relationship with other engineers==
Jessop was a very modest man, who did not seek self-aggrandisement. Unlike other engineers, he was not jealous of rising young engineers, but rather encouraged them. He would also recommend another engineer if he was too busy to be able to undertake a commission himself. He recommended [[John Rennie the Elder|John Rennie]] for the post of engineer to the [[Lancaster Canal]] Company, an appointment that helped to establish Rennie’s reputation. When Jessop was consulting engineer to the [[Ellesmere Canal]] Company, in 1793, the company appointed the relatively unknown [[Thomas Telford]] as resident engineer. Telford had no previous experience as a designer of canals, but with Jessop’s advice and guidance, Telford made a success of the project. He supported Telford, even when the Company thought that the latter’s designs for aqueducts were too ambitious.<ref name=rolt/>

==Cromford Canal==
In 1789 Jessop was appointed chief engineer to the [[Cromford Canal]] Company. The proposed canal was intended to carry limestone, coal and iron ore from the Derwent and upper Erewash valleys and join the nearby Erewash Canal. The important features of this canal are the Derwent Viaduct, which was a single span viaduct carrying the canal over the [[River Derwent, Derbyshire|River Derwent]], and the [[Butterley Tunnel]] (formerly the Ripley Tunnel). In 1793, the Derwent Viaduct partially collapsed, and Jessop shouldered the blame, saying that he had not made the front walls strong enough. He had the viaduct repaired and strengthened at his own expense. The Butterley Tunnel was 2,966 yards (2712m) long, {{convert|9|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}} high and required thirty-three shafts to be sunk from the surface in order to build it. Jessop built the Butterley Reservoir above the tunnel, extending for {{convert|50|acre|m2}}.<ref name=rolt/>

==Butterley Company==
In 1790 Jessop founded, jointly with partners [[Benjamin Outram]], Francis Beresford and John Wright, the [[Butterley Company|Butterley Iron Works]] in [[Derbyshire]] to manufacture (amongst other things) cast-iron [[rail profile|edge rails]] – a design Jessop had used successfully on a [[wagonway|horse-drawn railway]] scheme for coal wagons between [[Nanpantan]] and [[Loughborough]], [[Leicestershire]] (1789). Outram was concerned with the production of ironwork and equipment for Jessop’s engineering projects.<ref name=hadfield/>

==Grand Junction Canal==
The [[Oxford Canal]] had been built by [[James Brindley]] and carried coal to large parts of southern England. However it did not provide a sufficiently direct route between the [[Midlands]] and [[London]]. As a result, a new canal was proposed to run from the Oxford Canal at [[Braunston]], near [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]], and to end at the [[Thames]] at [[Brentford]], a length of ninety miles. Jessop was appointed Chief Engineer to the Canal Company in 1793. The canal was especially difficult to plan because, whereas other canals tended to follow river valleys and only crossed a watershed when unavoidable, the new canal had to cross the rivers Ouse, Nene and others. An aqueduct was built at [[Wolverton, Milton Keynes|Wolverton]] to carry the canal across the Ouse valley. Whilst the three-arch stone aqueduct was being built, a set of nine temporary locks were used to carry the canal down one side of the valley and up the other. The aqueduct failed in 1808, and was replaced by an iron one in 1811. Two tunnels also had to be built, at [[Braunston]] and [[Blisworth Tunnel|Blisworth]]. The Blisworth Tunnel caused great problems, and was unfinished when the rest of the canal was ready. In fact Jessop considered abandoning it and using locks to carry the canal over the ridge. Jessop’s temporary solution was a railway line laid over the ridge to carry traffic until the tunnel was completed. The [[Grand Junction Canal]] was enormously important in encouraging trade between London and the Midlands.<ref name=rolt/>

==West India Docks==
The [[West India Docks]], built on the [[Isle of Dogs]], was the first large wet docks built in the [[Port of London]]. Between 1800 and 1802 a wet dock area of {{convert|295|acre|km2}} was created with a depth of {{convert|24|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and accommodating 600 ships. Jessop was the Chief Engineer for the docks, with Ralph Walker as his assistant.<ref name=rolt/>

==Surrey Iron Railway==
In 1799 separate proposals were put forward for a canal from London to [[Portsmouth]] and for a tramway carrying horse-drawn carriages over the same route. The first part of the proposed [[Surrey Iron Railway]] was to be from [[Wandsworth]] to [[Croydon]], and Jessop was asked for his opinion on the two opposing schemes. He declared that the tramway was a better scheme, as a canal would require too much water and would unduly reduce the supply in the [[River Wandle]]. It was agreed to build a tramway from Wandsworth to Croydon, as well a building a basin at Wandsworth. Jessop was appointed Chief Engineer of the project in 1801. In 1802 the Wandsworth Basin and the line were completed. There seems to be doubt as to the gauge of the line with some estimates stating {{convert|4|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} and others stating 4ft 8½in.<ref name=rolt/>

In 1803 the next phase was authorised. This was for a line from Croydon via [[Merstham]] to [[Godstone]] in [[Surrey]]. Jessop was again appointed Chief Engineer, with his son [[Josias Jessop|Josias]] as his assistant. The line reached Mestham but was never continued to Godstone. The total distance of the tramway from Wandsworth was {{convert|18|mi|km}}. The tramway was eventually overtaken by the advent of steam locomotives.<ref name=rolt/>

==Later life==
From 1784 to 1805 Jessop lived in [[Newark, England|Newark]] in [[Nottinghamshire]], where he twice served as town mayor.<ref name=hadfield> Hadfield, C. and Skempton, ''A. W. William Jessop, Engineer'' (Newton Abbot 1979 </ref>

In his later life, Jessop became increasingly inflicted by a form of paralysis, and 1805 marked the end of his active career. He died at his home, [[Butterley Hall]], on 18 November 1814. The [[Jessop Memorial]] was erected a year after his death , this can be seen east of Ripley in Codnor park. The {{convert|70|ft|m|abbr=on}} Doric column can no longer be scaled due to being unsafe. His son [[Josias Jessop|Josias]] became a successful engineer in his own right.<ref name=rolt/>

==Legacy==
Jessop was in the unusual position of bridging the gap between the canal engineers and the railway engineers who came later. His name did not gain the lasting fame that it deserved because of his modesty. Indeed some of his works have been wrongly attributed to engineers who acted as his assistants. Unlike some engineers, such as George Stephenson, Jessop did not stoop to undignified wrangles with fellow professionals. He was highly regarded by almost all those who had worked with him or for him.<ref name=rolt/>

==List of Jessop’s engineering projects==
*the [[Calder and Hebble Navigation]] (1758–1770)
*the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]]
*the [[Ripon Canal]] (1767)
*the [[Chester Canal]] (May 1778) as a contractor with James Pinkerton
*the [[Barnsley Canal]] (1792–1802)
*the [[Grand Canal of Ireland]] between the [[River Shannon]] and [[Dublin]] (1773–1805)
*the [[Grand Junction Canal]] (1793–1805), later part of the [[Grand Union Canal]]
*the [[Cromford Canal]], [[Derbyshire]]/[[Nottinghamshire]]
*the [[Nottingham Canal]] (1792–1796)
*the [[River Trent Navigation]]
*the [[Grantham Canal]] (1793–1797), the first English canal entirely dependent on [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] for its water supply
*oversight of the [[Ellesmere Canal]] (1793–1805), detailed design undertaken by [[Thomas Telford]])
*the [[Rochdale Canal]] (1794–1798)
*the [[West India Docks]] and [[Isle of Dogs]] canal, [[London]] (1800–1802); [[John Rennie (engineer)|John Rennie]] was a consultant on the Docks project
*the [[Surrey Iron Railway]], linking [[Wandsworth]] and [[Croydon]] (1801–1802), arguably the world's first public railway—albeit horse-drawn
*the '[[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]]' in [[Bristol]] (1804–1809)
*the [[Kilmarnock and Troon Railway]] (1807–1812; the first railway in Scotland authorised by [[Act of Parliament]])
*harbours at [[Shoreham-by-Sea]] and [[Littlehampton]], [[West Sussex]]<ref name=hadfield/>

==External links==
*[http://www.codnor.info/Monument.php Codnor & District Local History & Heritage website] - Jessop Monument webpage

==See Also==
{{UKWP}}
[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
[[History of the British canal system]]

==References==
{{reflist}}



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[[Category:People from Plymouth]]
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[[cs:William Jessop]]
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Benjamin Outram

2008-12-22T13:32:42Z

Mayalld: /* See also */ fix

{{Refimprove|date=August 2008}}
'''Benjamin Outram''' ([[1 April]] [[1764]] - [[22 May]] [[1805]]) was an [[England|English]] [[civil engineer]], [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] and industrialist.

== Personal life ==
Born at [[Alfreton]] in [[Derbyshire]], he began his career assisting his father [[Joseph Outram]], who described himself as an "agriculturalist", but was also a land agent, an enclosure commissioner arbitrating in the many disputes which arose from the [[Enclosure Acts|enclosures acts]], an advisor on land management, a surveyor for new mines and served as a turnpike trustee.

In 1803 he had a son, [[Sir James Outram, 1st Baronet|James Outram]], who became an officer in the Indian Army and was later knighted.

He died of a "brain fever" ([[stroke]]) while visiting London in 1805. After his death, and some considerable litigation, in 1807 Benjamin Outram and Company was renamed the [[Butterley Company]].

After his death, his wife Margaret (1778–1863), daughter of [[James Anderson of Hermiston|James Anderson]], wrote that Outram "was hasty in his temper, feeling his own superiority over others. Accustomed to command, he had little toleration for stupidity and slowness, and none for meanness or littleness of any kind."
In spite of his prowess, Outram's wife and family were for a while reduced to near poverty after his death until his liabilities could be settled through the courts.

== Career ==
=== Early career ===
Joseph Outram was a promoter of the [[Cromford Canal]], and when [[William Jessop]] was approached to design and build it he found an able assistant in 24 year-old Benjamin.
Construction of the canal, particularly [[Butterley Tunnel]], revealed substantial mineral deposits. The neighbouring [[Butterley Hall]] and its 200-acre estate came on the market at this time and Francis Beresford, solicitor to the canal company, bought the [[freehold]] of the hall and its estate. He leased it on a [[moiety]] to Outram until the latter had acquired enough capital for a fifty percent holding.

=== Established canal and railway engineer ===
This was the beginning of the ironworks, '[[Butterley Company|Benjamin Outram & Company]]' which began trading in 1790. The following year William Jessop and John Wright, a Nottingham banker, also became partners. Starting with a nominal capital of £6000, Outram was the only partner active in the management of the company, assisted by his younger brother, Joseph. Over time the business expanded to include a limestone quarry, limekilns, collieries and ironstone pits.

Outram became a leading advocate in the construction of tramways using L-section rails, which along with the wagons were manufactured at his Butterley Ironworks. His first tramway was a line slightly over {{convert|1|mi|km}} in length, built to carry limestone from quarries at [[Crich]] to Bullbridge Wharf on the [[Cromford Canal]], for use by his works.

In 1792 he became engineer for the [[Nottingham Canal]] and in 1793 the [[Derby Canal]], working in the meantime on the [[Nutbrook Canal]].

One of his major works was the {{convert|44|ft|m}} long single-span Holmes [[Aqueduct]] on the Derby Canal, which opened in February 1796 and was one of the first cast-iron aqueducts. It was cast by Benjamin Outram & Company and predated [[Thomas Telford|Thomas Telford's]] longer aqueduct on the [[Shrewsbury Canal]] at [[Longdon-on-Tern]] by one month. It proved troublesome and needed substantial remedial work in 1802, 1812 and 1930, eventually being demolished in 1971.

[[Image:Wagonway.jpg|thumb|right|The Little Eaton Gangway]]
An important extension to the Derby Canal was the [[Little Eaton Gangway]], a feeder for the [[Derby Canal]] built on the pattern of that at Crich. Such tramways became an important part of his later canals. A common misconception is that the word "[[tram]]way" comes from Outram's surname but the word actually derives from the Low German word "traam" meaning "a beam" (of a wheelbarrow). Outram always referred to tramways as railways.

Outram was the consulting engineer for the construction of the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], which included the pioneering [[Standedge Tunnels|Standedge Canal Tunnel]]. In 1794 he was the engineer for the [[Peak Forest Canal]],<ref name=Jimshead/> which included the [[Marple Aqueduct]]. The climb from [[Buxworth|Bugsworth]] was negotiated by the {{convert|6|mi|km}} [[Peak Forest Tramway]]. Stodhart [[Tunnel]] on this tramway is believed to be the first railway tunnel in Derbyshire. In 1796 he reported on the extra funds needed to complete construction of the [[Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal]].<ref name=Jimshead>{{Citation | title = Waterways Engineers and Surveyors from Nimmo, Alexander | url=http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/Engineers11.html#122 | publisher = Jim Shead | accessdate = 2008-08-26 }}</ref> In 1798, he was retained to complete the final section of the [[Ashton Canal]] which included the [[Store Street Aqueduct]], among the first to solve the problem of [[skew arch]]es.

Outram also built railways for the [[Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal]] and was asked to advise on railways for the [[Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal]]. He predicted within a few years of their introduction that railways would become the principal mode of transport. In 1799 he wrote, while building the [[Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal]] railway at four foot two inch gauge, "it appears that many hogsheads and packages require carriages . . . wider than those at Derby and Crich" and "it seems desirable that all extensive railways should be of the same width and that width should be sufficient to suit all the purposes of trade".

His sudden death, leaving no will, led to considerable confusion in resolving the company's affairs, and it was not until 1815 that the company's affairs and liabilities with his wife and family were settled.

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Schofield, R.B., (2000) ''Benjamin Outram 1764-1805 : an engineering biography'', Cardiff : Merton Priory, ISBN 1-898937-42-7
* [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/20959 Riden, Philip: 'Outram, Benjamin (bap. 1764, d. 1805)'], [[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]], (2004)

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canal]]
*[[Narrowboat]]

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.brocross.com/iwps/pages/outram/bn-outram.htm Biography of Benjaim Outram at David Kitching's Home Page]



{{Persondata
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|DATE OF BIRTH=1764
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|DATE OF DEATH=1805
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Outram, Benjamin}}
[[Category:1764 births]]
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[[Category:English engineers]]
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[[Category:People from Derbyshire]]
[[Category:British surveyors]]
[[Category:English businesspeople]]
[[Category:Canal engineers]]

[[it:Benjamin Outram]]

Benjamin Outram

2008-12-22T13:32:22Z

Mayalld: /* References */ expand

{{Refimprove|date=August 2008}}
'''Benjamin Outram''' ([[1 April]] [[1764]] - [[22 May]] [[1805]]) was an [[England|English]] [[civil engineer]], [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] and industrialist.

== Personal life ==
Born at [[Alfreton]] in [[Derbyshire]], he began his career assisting his father [[Joseph Outram]], who described himself as an "agriculturalist", but was also a land agent, an enclosure commissioner arbitrating in the many disputes which arose from the [[Enclosure Acts|enclosures acts]], an advisor on land management, a surveyor for new mines and served as a turnpike trustee.

In 1803 he had a son, [[Sir James Outram, 1st Baronet|James Outram]], who became an officer in the Indian Army and was later knighted.

He died of a "brain fever" ([[stroke]]) while visiting London in 1805. After his death, and some considerable litigation, in 1807 Benjamin Outram and Company was renamed the [[Butterley Company]].

After his death, his wife Margaret (1778–1863), daughter of [[James Anderson of Hermiston|James Anderson]], wrote that Outram "was hasty in his temper, feeling his own superiority over others. Accustomed to command, he had little toleration for stupidity and slowness, and none for meanness or littleness of any kind."
In spite of his prowess, Outram's wife and family were for a while reduced to near poverty after his death until his liabilities could be settled through the courts.

== Career ==
=== Early career ===
Joseph Outram was a promoter of the [[Cromford Canal]], and when [[William Jessop]] was approached to design and build it he found an able assistant in 24 year-old Benjamin.
Construction of the canal, particularly [[Butterley Tunnel]], revealed substantial mineral deposits. The neighbouring [[Butterley Hall]] and its 200-acre estate came on the market at this time and Francis Beresford, solicitor to the canal company, bought the [[freehold]] of the hall and its estate. He leased it on a [[moiety]] to Outram until the latter had acquired enough capital for a fifty percent holding.

=== Established canal and railway engineer ===
This was the beginning of the ironworks, '[[Butterley Company|Benjamin Outram & Company]]' which began trading in 1790. The following year William Jessop and John Wright, a Nottingham banker, also became partners. Starting with a nominal capital of £6000, Outram was the only partner active in the management of the company, assisted by his younger brother, Joseph. Over time the business expanded to include a limestone quarry, limekilns, collieries and ironstone pits.

Outram became a leading advocate in the construction of tramways using L-section rails, which along with the wagons were manufactured at his Butterley Ironworks. His first tramway was a line slightly over {{convert|1|mi|km}} in length, built to carry limestone from quarries at [[Crich]] to Bullbridge Wharf on the [[Cromford Canal]], for use by his works.

In 1792 he became engineer for the [[Nottingham Canal]] and in 1793 the [[Derby Canal]], working in the meantime on the [[Nutbrook Canal]].

One of his major works was the {{convert|44|ft|m}} long single-span Holmes [[Aqueduct]] on the Derby Canal, which opened in February 1796 and was one of the first cast-iron aqueducts. It was cast by Benjamin Outram & Company and predated [[Thomas Telford|Thomas Telford's]] longer aqueduct on the [[Shrewsbury Canal]] at [[Longdon-on-Tern]] by one month. It proved troublesome and needed substantial remedial work in 1802, 1812 and 1930, eventually being demolished in 1971.

[[Image:Wagonway.jpg|thumb|right|The Little Eaton Gangway]]
An important extension to the Derby Canal was the [[Little Eaton Gangway]], a feeder for the [[Derby Canal]] built on the pattern of that at Crich. Such tramways became an important part of his later canals. A common misconception is that the word "[[tram]]way" comes from Outram's surname but the word actually derives from the Low German word "traam" meaning "a beam" (of a wheelbarrow). Outram always referred to tramways as railways.

Outram was the consulting engineer for the construction of the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], which included the pioneering [[Standedge Tunnels|Standedge Canal Tunnel]]. In 1794 he was the engineer for the [[Peak Forest Canal]],<ref name=Jimshead/> which included the [[Marple Aqueduct]]. The climb from [[Buxworth|Bugsworth]] was negotiated by the {{convert|6|mi|km}} [[Peak Forest Tramway]]. Stodhart [[Tunnel]] on this tramway is believed to be the first railway tunnel in Derbyshire. In 1796 he reported on the extra funds needed to complete construction of the [[Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal]].<ref name=Jimshead>{{Citation | title = Waterways Engineers and Surveyors from Nimmo, Alexander | url=http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/Engineers11.html#122 | publisher = Jim Shead | accessdate = 2008-08-26 }}</ref> In 1798, he was retained to complete the final section of the [[Ashton Canal]] which included the [[Store Street Aqueduct]], among the first to solve the problem of [[skew arch]]es.

Outram also built railways for the [[Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal]] and was asked to advise on railways for the [[Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal]]. He predicted within a few years of their introduction that railways would become the principal mode of transport. In 1799 he wrote, while building the [[Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal]] railway at four foot two inch gauge, "it appears that many hogsheads and packages require carriages . . . wider than those at Derby and Crich" and "it seems desirable that all extensive railways should be of the same width and that width should be sufficient to suit all the purposes of trade".

His sudden death, leaving no will, led to considerable confusion in resolving the company's affairs, and it was not until 1815 that the company's affairs and liabilities with his wife and family were settled.

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Schofield, R.B., (2000) ''Benjamin Outram 1764-1805 : an engineering biography'', Cardiff : Merton Priory, ISBN 1-898937-42-7
* [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/20959 Riden, Philip: 'Outram, Benjamin (bap. 1764, d. 1805)'], [[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]], (2004)

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
[[Canal]]
[[Narrowboat]]

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.brocross.com/iwps/pages/outram/bn-outram.htm Biography of Benjaim Outram at David Kitching's Home Page]



{{Persondata
|NAME= Outram, Benjamin
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=
|DATE OF BIRTH=1764
|PLACE OF BIRTH=
|DATE OF DEATH=1805
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Outram, Benjamin}}
[[Category:1764 births]]
[[Category:1805 deaths]]
[[Category:People of the Industrial Revolution]]
[[Category:English engineers]]
[[Category:Pioneers of rail transport]]
[[Category:People from Derbyshire]]
[[Category:British surveyors]]
[[Category:English businesspeople]]
[[Category:Canal engineers]]

[[it:Benjamin Outram]]

Hertford Union Canal

2008-11-28T16:23:12Z

Mayalld: Removed category "Hertford Union Canal" (using HotCat)

{{Hertford Union Canal map}}
The '''Hertford Union Canal''' or '''Duckett's Canal''' is a short stretch (c. 1.5km) of [[canal]] in the [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets]] in [[East London, England|East London]]. It runs along the southern side of [[Victoria Park, East London|Victoria Park]].

[[Image:Hertford union canal junction.jpg|thumb|left|Junction of Hertford Union Canal and River Lee Navigation]]

Like its 1766 predecessor, the [[Limehouse Cut]], the Hertford Union Canal was intended to provide a straight short-cut between the [[River Thames]] and the [[River Lee Navigation]], utilising a short stretch of the [[Regent's Canal]], and thus bypass the tidal, tortuous and often silted [[Bow Back Rivers]] of the Lee for traffic on the Lee heading for the Thames, and to short-cut the journey from the Lee to places west along the Regent's Canal.

The canal was promoted by Sir [[George Duckett, 2nd baronet|George Duckett]] who succeeded in gaining an [[Act of Parliament]] that gained its Royal Assent on 17 May 1824, entitled ''An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Canal from the River Lee Navigation, in the parish of St. Mary Stratford Bow, in the county of Middlesex, to join the Regent's Canal at or near a Place called [[Old Ford Lock (Regents Canal)|Old Ford Lock]], in the parish of St. Matthew Bethnal Green, in the said county of Middlesex.<ref name=priestley>[http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/sdoc.php?wpage=PNRC0341#PNRC336 Priestley, Joseph (1831). ''Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain''. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green]</ref>

The Act authorised Sir George to borrow up to £50,000 to fund construction, and to charge tolls for using the canal, initially one [[shilling]] (£0.05) per [[ton]] of goods carried.<ref name=priestley/>

With [[Francis Giles]] appointed as engineer, the canal opened in 1830 and was for some years known as Duckett's Canal or Duckett's Cut. It was not a success commercially, and within a year offers to waive the tolls were being made. For several years around the 1850s it was unnavigable, as a dam was built across it to prevent the Regent's Canal losing water to it. After failed attempts to sell it in 1851, it was eventually acquired by the Regent's Canal Company and became a branch of that canal on 28 October 1857. The new owners removed the dam, and made the channel deeper and wider.<ref>[http://www.londoncanals.co.uk/hdunion/hdunhist.html London Canals: Hertford Union: History]</ref> When the [[Grand Union Canal]] Company acquired the Regent's Canal in 1929, it became part of that network.

==See also==
{{UKWP}}
*[[Canals of Great Britain]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

Hertford Union Canal

2008-11-28T16:19:11Z

Mayalld: portal link

Lyme Park

2008-10-28T07:31:11Z

Mayalld: Reverted good faith edits by Giano II; We should aim for the best possible quality image. (TW)

[[Image:Lymehall07.JPG|thumb|300px|The south front of [[Lyme Park]], [[Cheshire]] as rebuilt by Giacomo Leoni. The original [[Tudor style|Tudor]] [[mansion]] was transformed by Leoni into an [[Italy|Italian]] [[palazzo]].]]
'''Lyme Park''' is an [[Estate (house)|estate]] and [[park]] near [[Disley]], in the county of [[Cheshire]], [[England]].<ref name=NationalTrust>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lymepark Details from the National Trust]</ref> The principal feature of the park is ''Lyme Hall'', an [[Elizabethan]] [[manor house]] resembling an [[Italianate]] [[palazzo]]. It is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref name="images">[http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=406869 Images of England], accessed [[17 July]] [[2007]]</ref>

== Overview ==
Lyme was granted to the first Piers Legh and his wife Margaret by [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] in 1398, as a reward for heroic deeds in [[Battle of Crécy|battle]],<ref name=TheHeritageTrail>[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/stately%20homes/lyme%20park.htm The Heritage Trail]</ref> and by the 16th century the Leghs had made Lyme their main home.<ref>[http://www.dicamillocompanion.com/Houses_hgpm.asp?ID=1314 The Database of Houses]</ref> Over the next two centuries, the estate was developed further with Sir Piers Legh VII instigating an extensive rebuilding programme, and the rebuilding and renovation was continued by successive generations.<ref name=TheHeritageTrail /> In the 1720s, the [[Venice|Venetian]] [[architect]] [[Giacomo Leoni]] transformed the [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor]] hall to resemble an [[Italianate]] [[palazzo]], but despite its outer appearance, the inside of the hall was left relatively unaltered.<ref>[http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cheshire/houses/lyme-park.htm Britain Express].</ref> During the 19th century the building was restored and altered extensively by [[Lewis Wyatt]], who renovated every room in some way,<ref name=TheHeritageTrail /> and in 1860 the garden that can be seen today was set out.<ref name=Cressbrook>[http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/lymepark.php Cressbrook]</ref> By the 20th century the upkeep and maintenance of Lyme had become difficult for the family, and so four years after inheriting the estate in 1942, the 3rd Lord Newton gave Lyme and the surrounding {{convert|1400|acre|km2}} of land to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] in order to secure its future.<ref name=TheHeritageTrail />

== History ==
[[Image:Lyme Park from Jones' Views (1819) - north front.JPG|thumb|200px|The north front of Lyme from Jones' ''Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen'' (1819)]]
After Lyme had been given to the Leghs in 1398, a house was built in about 1400, but it was little more than a hunting lodge. It was in the 16th century when Sir Piers VII made Lyme the family's main home, and it was then the current hall was built.<ref name=Cressbrook />

Lyme Park also has connections with the [[Bank Hall]] Estate in [[Bretherton]], Lancashire. Bank Hall was home to a branch of the Legh Family and the historic connections can be seen in the architecture of the property by where the Legh Coat of Arms figures are featured across the house that was built in 1608.

== The house ==
From what is now the car park, Lyme is reached by climbing a steep hill. The gate and railings replaced an earlier walled enclosure, of which the gates are now at the park entrance.

=== The courtyard ===
The courtyard was designed by [[Giacomo Leoni]] in about 1726, and the work was completed by 1734. It was designed to resemble a north [[Italy|Italian]] [[palazzo]]; the [[piano nobile]] is held up by [[Doric order|Doric]] [[pilasters]], a set of steps leading to the entrance are to the east, and on the near north side, the partly blocked up doors and windows of the Elizabethan mansion which was being disguised can be seen. Since Leoni, it has changed little, with the exception of [[Lewis Wyatt]]'s tower on the south side, and the pink and white paving introduced in [[Edwardian]] times.

=== The entrance hall ===
This room was the creation of Leoni, who built it within the confines of the Elizabethan Great Hall. The fireplace and entrance are intentionally off-centre to disguise the assymmetry of the room. Full length portraits of [[Edward III of England|Edward III]] and [[Edward, the Black Prince|the Black Prince]] were hung at opposite ends of the room, two individuals to whom the Leghs ultimately owed Lyme. The portrait of the Black Prince survives today, and swings out from the wall to reveal a squint from the drawing room.

== The Grounds ==
[[Image:TheCageLymePark.JPG|thumb|right|18th century hunting lodge, 'The Cage']]
Lyme Park has a 6.8-[[hectare]] (17 [[acre]]) Victorian garden that includes a sunken [[parterre]], an [[Edwardian]] rose garden, lake and ravine garden. This garden is enclosed by a [[medieval]] [[Medieval deer park|deer park]] with herds of red and fallow deer that cover nearly 566 hectares (1400 acres) of parkland, moorland and woodland. It also contains an 18th century hunting tower called 'The Cage' which is open to the public on select dates. The deer park and formal garden are listed at Grade II* in the [[National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/landscapes/ukpg/sites/lymepark.htm |title=U.K. Database of Historic Parks and Gardens: Lyme Park |accessdate=2008-03-11 |publisher=[[University of York]] }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Lyme Hall was used as the location for "[[Pemberley]]", the home of [[Fitzwilliam Darcy|Mr. Darcy]], in the 1995 [[BBC]] adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s novel ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV serial)|Pride and Prejudice]]''. It was also used as a location for [[Red Dwarf]] episode "[[Timeslides]]".

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* Rothwell, James ''Lyme Park'' (1998) (National Trust)

== See also ==
* [[Peers Legh]]
* [[Giacomo Leoni]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lymepark/ Lyme Park information at the National Trust]
* [http://www.gardenvisit.com/g/lym.htm Lyme Park — a Gardens Guide review]
* [http://www.360spin.co.uk/portfolio/lymepark.htm 360° view of the south front of the hall]

{{coord missing|United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Gardens in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Houses in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Country parks in England]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Grade I listed houses]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire]]

[[es:Lyme Park]]
[[pt:Lyme Hall]]

Lyme Park

2008-08-26T20:25:23Z

Mayalld: /* Trivia */ retitle section

[[Image:Lymehall07.JPG|thumb|300px|The south front of [[Lyme Park]], [[Cheshire]] as rebuilt by Giacomo Leoni. The original [[Tudor style|Tudor]] [[mansion]] was transformed by Leoni into an [[Italy|Italian]] [[palazzo]].]]
'''Lyme Park''' is an [[Estate (house)|estate]] and [[park]] near [[Disley]], in the county of [[Cheshire]], [[England]].<ref name=NationalTrust>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lymepark Details from the National Trust]</ref> The principal feature of the park is ''Lyme Hall'', an [[Elizabethan]] [[manor house]] resembling an [[Italianate]] [[palazzo]]. It is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref name="images">[http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=406869 Images of England], accessed [[17 July]] [[2007]]</ref>

Lyme was granted to the first Piers Legh and his wife Margaret by [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] in 1398, as a reward for heroic deeds in [[Battle of Crécy|battle]],<ref name=TheHeritageTrail>[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/stately%20homes/lyme%20park.htm The Heritage Trail]</ref> and by the 16th century the Leghs had made Lyme their main home.<ref>[http://www.dicamillocompanion.com/Houses_hgpm.asp?ID=1314 The Database of Houses]</ref> Over the next two centuries, the estate was developed further with Sir Piers Legh VII instigating an extensive rebuilding programme, and the rebuilding and renovation was continued by successive generations.<ref name=TheHeritageTrail /> In the 1720s, the [[Venice|Venetian]] [[architect]] [[Giacomo Leoni]] transformed the [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor]] hall to resemble an [[Italianate]] [[palazzo]], but despite its outer appearance, the inside of the hall was left relatively unaltered.<ref>[http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cheshire/houses/lyme-park.htm Britain Express].</ref> During the 19th century the building was restored and altered extensively by [[Lewis Wyatt]], who renovated every room in some way,<ref name=TheHeritageTrail /> and in 1860 the garden that can be seen today was set out.<ref name=Cressbrook>[http://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/lymepark.php Cressbrook]</ref> By the 20th century the upkeep and maintenance of Lyme had become difficult for the family, and so four years after inheriting the estate in 1942, the 3rd Lord Newton gave Lyme and the surrounding {{convert|1400|acre|km2}} of land to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] in order to secure its future.<ref name=TheHeritageTrail />

== History ==
[[Image:Lyme Park from Jones' Views (1819) - north front.JPG|thumb|200px|The north front of Lyme from Jones' ''Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen'' (1819)]]
After Lyme had been given to the Leghs in 1398, a house was built in about 1400, but it was little more than a hunting lodge. It was in the 16th century when Sir Piers VII made Lyme the family's main home, and it was then the current hall was built.<ref name=Cressbrook />

== The house ==
From what is now the car park, Lyme is reached by climbing a steep hill. The gate and railings replaced an earlier walled enclosure, of which the gates are now at the park entrance.

=== The courtyard ===
The courtyard was designed by [[Giacomo Leoni]] in about 1726, and the work was completed by 1734. It was designed to resemble a north [[Italy|Italian]] [[palazzo]]; the [[piano nobile]] is held up by [[Doric order|Doric]] [[pilasters]], a set of steps leading to the entrance are to the east, and on the near north side, the partly blocked up doors and windows of the Elizabethan mansion which was being disguised can be seen. Since Leoni, it has changed little, with the exception of [[Lewis Wyatt]]'s tower on the south side, and the pink and white paving introduced in [[Edwardian]] times.

=== The entrance hall ===
This room was the creation of Leoni, who built it within the confines of the Elizabethan Great Hall. The fireplace and entrance are intentionally off-centre to disguise the assymmetry of the room. Full length portraits of [[Edward III of England|Edward III]] and [[Edward, the Black Prince|the Black Prince]] were hung at opposite ends of the room, two individuals to whom the Leghs ultimately owed Lyme. The portrait of the Black Prince survives today, and swings out from the wall to reveal a squint from the drawing room.

== The Grounds ==
[[Image:TheCageLymePark.JPG|thumb|right|18th century hunting lodge, 'The Cage']]
Lyme Park has a 6.8-[[hectare]] (17 [[acre]]) Victorian garden that includes a sunken [[parterre]], an [[Edwardian]] rose garden, lake and ravine garden. This garden is enclosed by a [[medieval]] [[Medieval deer park|deer park]] with herds of red and fallow deer that cover nearly 566 hectares (1400 acres) of parkland, moorland and woodland. It also contains an 18th century hunting tower called 'The Cage' which is open to the public on select dates. The deer park and formal garden are listed at Grade II* in the [[National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/landscapes/ukpg/sites/lymepark.htm |title=U.K. Database of Historic Parks and Gardens: Lyme Park |accessdate=2008-03-11 |publisher=[[University of York]] }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Lyme Hall was used as the location for "[[Pemberley]]", the home of [[Fitzwilliam Darcy|Mr. Darcy]], in the 1995 [[BBC]] adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s novel ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV serial)|Pride and Prejudice]]''.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* Rothwell, James ''Lyme Park'' (1998) (National Trust)

==See also==
*[[Peers Legh]]
*[[Giacomo Leoni]]

==External links==
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lymepark/ Lyme Park information at the National Trust]
* [http://www.gardenvisit.com/g/lym.htm Lyme Park — a Gardens Guide review]
* [http://www.360spin.co.uk/portfolio/lymepark.htm 360° view of the south front of the hall]

[[Category:Gardens in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Houses in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Country parks in England]]
[[Category:National Trust properties in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Grade I listed houses]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire]]

[[es:Lyme Park]]
[[pt:Lyme Hall]]

Position der Erde im Universum

2008-07-31T06:18:37Z

Mayalld: Reverted 1 edit by Veraladeramanera; Rv edit that messed up the flow of the list. (TW)

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="3"|Earth in the Universe
|-
!Feature || Size or Distance || Contains
|-
|[[Universe]] || A minimum of 93B [[light years]], most likely [[Infinity|infinite]] || Everything*
|-
|[[Observable universe]] || At least 93B [[light years]] across || Billions of galaxies
|-
|[[Large-scale structure of the cosmos]] || Hundreds to billions of [[light-year]]s || -
|-
|[[Virgo Supercluster]] || 200M [[light-year]]s across || ~100 [[galaxy groups and clusters]]
|-
|[[Local Group]] || 10M [[light-year]]s across || 30 galaxies
|-
|([[Intergalactic space]]) || - || -
|-
|[[Milky Way Galaxy]] || 100,000 [[light-year]]s across || 200B-400B stars
|-
|[[Orion Arm]]|| ~50,000 [[light-year]]s long || Billions of stars
|-
|[[Gould Belt]] || ~3,000 [[light-year]]s across || ? stars
|-
|[[Local Bubble]] || 300 [[light-year]]s across || ? stars
|-
|[[Local Interstellar Cloud]] || 30 [[light-year]]s across || ? stars
|-
|([[Proxima Centauri]]) || 4.22 [[light-year]]s away || [[List of nearest stars|Second nearest star]] to Earth
|-
|([[Interstellar medium]]) || - || -
|-
|[[Solar System]] || 0.00187 [[light-year]]s across<ref>118 AU is the approximate diameter of the [[termination shock]]</ref> 16.4 [[light-hour]]s across 17.6 billion km across|| The [[Sun]] 8 known [[planet]]s 166 known [[natural satellite|moons]] 3 known [[dwarf planet]]s Billions of [[small Solar System body|small bodies]] [[Interplanetary medium]]
|-
|(The [[Sun]]) || 8.3 [[light-minute]]s away 150 million km away|| Nearest [[star]] to Earth
|-
|(The [[Moon]]) || 1.28 [[light-second]]s away 385,000 km away || Nearest (only) [[natural satellite]] to Earth
|-
|[[Earth]] || 12,700 km in diameter || Our [[planet]]
|-
|colspan="3"|* Disputed, see [[Multiverse]]. Items shown in () do not include the Earth, but are shown for scale. See also: [[Orders of magnitude (length)]]

Oppo Electronics

2008-07-15T20:49:20Z

Mayalld: Added {{advert}}, {{notability}} and {{unreferenced}} tags to article. using Friendly

{{advert|date=July 2008}}
{{notability|date=July 2008}}
{{unreferenced|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox_Company |
company_name = OPPO Digital, Inc. |
company_type = |
company_logo = |
foundation = [[2004]] |
location_city = [[Mountain View, California]] |
location_country = {{flag|United States}} |
location = |
key_people = |
capital = |
sales = |
num_employees = |
affiliated_companies = |
industry = [[Electronics]] |
products = [[Hi-fi]] and [[home theater]] Audio-Visual equipment units and related items|
company_slogan = |
homepage = [http://www.oppodigital.com www.OppoDigital.com]
}}

'''OPPO Digital, Inc.''', is a [[United States]] electronics manufacturer. Based in [[Mountain View, California]], it is primarily known for its [[region free]], [[upconverting]] [[DVD]] players. 

OPPO Digital was founded in 2004 as the US branch of BBK Electronics, a Chinese manufacturer of consumer, educational, and telecommunication electronics. BBK Electronics has been a private label OEM for companies such as Denon, TEAC, NEC and BOSE, employing approximately 12,000 people worldwide. Through BBK's desire to expand internationally, OPPO Digital was born. 

The beginning of OPPO Digital coincided with the release of its first product, the OPPO OPDV971H Up-Converting Universal DVD Player. Although the player was only offered through a handful of retailers, and directly from the company, it received a considerable amount of critical acclaim from [[videophiles]]. OPPO has released multiple upconverting DVD players, with their latest models, the DV-981HD (December 2006) and DV-980H (June 2007), receiving numerous accolades, including Products of the Year awards from publications such as Sound and Vision, The Perfect Vision, and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. 

Since the company's founding, they have also started to sell products in Europe under the OPPO name. The European division is headquartered in Sweden and operates under the name OppoShop.com

==External links==
* [http://www.oppodigital.com OPPO Digital official website]
* [http://www.OppoShop.com OPPO´s European Online web shop]
* [http://www.Oppo.se OPPO´s European website]
* [http://hometheater.about.com/cs/toppicks/tp/aatpbudgetdvda.htm ''About.com'' article, prominently mentioning OPPO products]
* [http://69.64.68.156/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all Home Theater and High Fidelity DVD Player Shootout]
* [http://techdigs.net/content/view/131/42/ TechDigs.net review of the OPPO DV-981HD]

{{electronics-stub}}
[[Category:Audio equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:video equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:High end audio]]
[[Category:High end video]]

Kingsland Basin

2008-01-31T20:14:46Z

Mayalld: stub

'''Kingsland Basin''' is a canal basin in [[Kingsland, London]], part of the [[Borough of Hackney]]. The basin is located off the [[Regents Canal]].

The basin is a site of planned redevelopment.

==External links==
*[http://www.chug.org.uk/ Canals in Hackney Users Group website]
*[http://www.hced.co.uk/newsite/Projects/general/Kingsland_Basin.htm Basin redevelopment plans]

[[Category:Canals of London]]
[[Category:Docks in London]]
[[Category:Redevelopment projects in London]]
{{London-geo-stub}}
{{UK-canal-stub}}

Pontcysyllte-Aquädukt

2007-11-14T16:52:56Z

Mayalld: Reverted 2 edits by Mexicari; Navigable bridge is a made-up term, aqueduct is a real term. using TW

{{coor title dms|52|58|13.31|N|3|5|15.60|W|type:landmark_scale:20000_region:GB}}

[[Image:WalesC0047.JPG|thumbnail|The Aqueduct, view from the ground]]
[[Image:Under Pontcysyllte.jpg|thumb|The [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]] runs beneath]]
[[Image:WalesC0171.JPG|thumbnail|A view of the ground below from the aqueduct ]]
The '''Pontcysyllte Aqueduct''' {{pronounced|ˌpɔntkəˈsʌɬtɛ}}) is a navigable [[aqueduct]] that carries the [[Llangollen Canal]] over the valley of the [[River_Dee, _Wales|River Dee]], between the villages of [[Trevor]] and [[Froncysyllte]], [[Wrexham]] in north east [[Wales]]. Completed in 1805, it is both the longest and highest aqueduct in [[Great Britain|Britain]], and is a Grade I [[Listed Building]].<ref>[http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/planning_portal/publications/listed_build_exhib/pontcysyllte_aque.htm "Listed Buildings: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Trevor"], [[Wrexham County Borough Council]], viewed on 2007-05-25</ref>

The aqueduct, built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, is 1,007 feet long, 11 feet wide and 5 feet 3 inches deep. It consists of a cast iron trough supported 126 feet above the river by 19 hollow masonry piers (pillars). Each span is 53 feet wide. Many people were sceptical, but Telford was confident: he had built at least one previous cast iron trough aqueduct (the [[Longdon-on-Tern]] aqueduct on the [[Shrewsbury Canal]], still visible in the middle of a field, though the canal was abandoned years ago).

The mortar used comprised lime, water and ox blood. The iron castings were produced at the [[Plaskynaston Foundry]], and each casting dovetails into the next. To caulk the joints, [[Welsh flannel]] was dipped in boiling sugar, after which the joints were sealed with lead. Then it was left for six months with water inside to see if the trough was watertight.

Part of what was originally called the [[Ellesmere Canal]], it was one of the first major feats of [[civil engineering]] undertaken by leading [[civil engineer]] [[Thomas Telford]] (supervised by the more experienced canal engineer [[William Jessop]]). The iron was supplied by William Hazeldine from his foundries at [[Shrewsbury]] and nearby [[Cefn Mawr]]. It was opened on [[26 November]] [[1805]], having taken around ten years to design and build at a total cost of [[Pound sterling|GB£]]47,000.

The towpath is cantilevered over the trough, which is the full width of the aqueduct, so that narrowboats are able to move more freely through the water. Walkers are protected by railings on the outside edge of the towpath, but the holes to fit railings on the other side of the aqueduct were never used. As the edge of the trough is only about 6 inches above the water level, and therefore '''below''' the deck of a narrowboat, the boat steerer has nothing between them and the sheer drop.

There used to be an accessible small handle in a recess on the footpath in the middle of the centre span {{Fact|date=September 2007}}, the pulling of which would cause a cascade of water to tumble into the River Dee below. This cascade can still be seen every few years when the aqueduct is emptied for maintenance.

The aqueduct was suggested as a contender for [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage]] status in 2005, its 200th anniversary year,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/4470534.stm |title=Aqueduct's big bicentenary party |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=[[2005-11-27]]}}</ref> and formally nominated in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6037203.stm |title=Aqueduct set for heritage status |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=[[2006-10-10]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Canals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[List of canal aqueducts in Great Britain]]

==Further reading==
* "Memories of Pontcysyllte" by Amy Douglas and Fiona Collins (2006)

==External links==
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/panoramas/pontcysyllte_aqueduct_360.shtml 360 Degree Panoramic View at BBC Shropshire] (Java Applet Required)
*[http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=52.97014~-3.088328&style=h&lvl=17&scene=4254555 Aerial photo at Windows Live Local]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/49078.stm There really is a plug in the bottom! (BBC local news pictures.)]
*[http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/leisure_tourism/Wrexham_Tour/Content/aqueduct_still.htm Wrexham On-line Tour: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Aqueducts in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1805]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Denbighshire]]
[[Category:Canals in Wales]]
[[Category:Grade I listed bridges]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Wales]]
[[Category:Tourist Attractions in Wrexham county borough]]
[[Category:Works of Thomas Telford]]

[[fr:Pontcysyllte Aqueduct]]

Schleusen und Wehre der Themse

2007-11-07T20:24:10Z

Mayalld: Undid revision 169937057 by 91.84.39.186 (talk) restore delted information

[[Image:Mapledurham_Lock.jpg|thumb|right|Mapledurham Lock]]
The [[England|English]] [[River Thames]] is navigable from [[Lechlade]] to the sea, and this part of the river falls 71 metres (234 feet). There are 45 [[lock (water transport)|locks]] on the river, each with one or more adjacent [[weirs]]. These lock and weir combinations are used for controlling the flow of water down the river, most notably when there is a risk of flooding, and provide for navigation above the [[tideway]].

==History==
From the middle ages, the fall on the river in its middle and upper sections was used to drive [[watermill]]s for the production of [[flour]] and various other purposes. This involved the construction of weirs in order to divert water into the mills. The weirs, however, presented an obstacle to navigation and to solve this problem locks were built alongside the weirs to enable boats to be moved between levels.

Originally these were [[flash lock]]s that were essentially removable sections of weir. A boat moving downstream would wait above the lock until the lock was opened, which would allow a "flash" of water to pass through, carrying the boat with it. In the opposite direction boats would be winched or towed through the open lock. The difficulty of using flash locks, and the consequent loss of water and income to the miller, eventually lead to their replacement with [[lock (water transport)|pound locks]]. Locks similar to these early pound locks still exist on the river, although in many cases they have been enlarged and mechanised.

On the lower section, the river was [[tide|tidal]] as far as [[Staines]] until the beginning of the 19th century and was under the control of the [[City of London]]. The City's jurisdiction was marked by the [[London Stone (riparian)|London Stone]]. The principle of lock/weir combination, which maintained the depth of water for navigation and reduced the danger of flooding, was extended over the tidal section as far as [[Teddington]] in a series of locks built after 1810.

The first authority charged with managing navigation and lock building was the [[Oxford-Burcot Commission]], which built the locks at Iffley and Sandford below Oxford in 1633. In 1751, the [[Thames Navigation Commissioners]] were established and built the locks from Days Lock to Boulters lock between 1770 and 1790. The locks built on the tidal section required individual Acts of Parliament, and the [[Thames Conservancy]] took over their management from the City in 1857. In 1866 the Thames Conservancy became responsible for all river management and installed more locks over the years, the last being Eynsham and King’s in 1928. The Thames Conservancy was subsumed into the [[Thames Water Authority]] in 1974. With the privatization of water supply in 1990 the river management functions passed to the new [[National Rivers Authority]] and in 1996 to the Environment Agency. Only Richmond Lock remains under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority.

==Operation==
[[Image:uk-goring-lock.jpg|thumb|right|Goring Lock demonstrates the common juxtaposition of weir, lock island, lock keeper's house and lock]]
From the head of the river to the start of the [[tide|tidal]] section at [[Teddington Lock]], the river is managed by the [[Environment Agency]], which has the twin responsibilities of managing the flow of water to control flooding, and providing for navigation. As a result all the locks and weirs on the river, except the semi-tidal [[Richmond Lock]], are owned and operated by the Environment Agency. Richmond Lock is managed by the [[Port of London Authority]].

Each of the Environment Agency's locks and weirs is manned by a [[lock keeper]], who normally lives in a house adjacent to the lock. The lock keeper's duties involve both operating the lock, and managing the river levels above the lock by adjusting the weir openings.

=== Locks ===
Most locks are operated by their keepers for between 7 and 10 hours a day depending on the season. However [[Teddington Lock]], which is the most downstream of the Environment Agency locks and separates the non-tidal river from the tideway, is manned 24 hours a day. The locks at the upper end of the river, from [[St John's Lock]] to [[King's Lock]], are manually operated. All other locks on the Thames are hydraulically operated. All locks can be operated by boat crews outside manning hours, although many of the hydraulic locks must be operated manually in this mode.

Locks are popular visitor attractions, and many serve refreshments. Locks were often built adjacent to islands and therefore many are situated in remote locations, hard to find and can only be reached on foot.

=== Weirs ===
The Environment Agency has the challenge of managing the flow of water along the length of the river to prevent flooding on particular reaches. The volume and speed of water down the river is managed by adjusting the gates at each weir. Occasionally this can result in a very fast stream rendering navigation more hazardous. These conditions are indicated by warning boards on the lock gates.

Occasionally flooding is unavoidable, and the Agency issues Flood Warnings with four levels of severity - Flood Watch, Flood Warning, Severe Flood Warning and All Clear.

In recent years the [[North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization|Salmon Conservancy]] has been adapting weirs to allow [[salmon]] to travel up river.

Today the weirs are often used recreationally by [[kayakers]] and [[canoeists]] for activities such as [[whitewater slalom]] and [[playboating]]. Specifically, [[Hambledon Lock|Hambledon Weir]] and [[Boulter's Lock|Boutler's Weir]] have [[Environment Agency|EA]] sanctioned modifications made to them for such use.

=== Reaches ===
The locks and weirs, in effect, break the river up into 45 lakes or lock reaches. Each lock controls the reach above it and thus identifies it. Each reach has its own character and points of interest.

Many reaches host [[regatta]]s and other events and these are coordinated through a River User’s Group for the reach. The Environment Agency may close all or part of a reach for an event, but most regattas only require one side of the river which may then be closed off.

When the motive power for boats was provided by horses, a [[towpath]] was needed on the bank side. This towpath has formed the basis for the [[Thames Path]] which runs between the source and mouth of the river. The path runs between locks and is therefore often the main means of access on land.

== List of locks and weirs ==
[[Image:St John's Lock and Lechlade in background.JPG|thumb|right|upright|St John's lock]]
[[Image:IffleyLock.jpg|thumb|right|Iffley Lock]]
[[Image:Mapledurham Weir.JPG|thumb|right|The weir at Mapledurham Lock]]
[[Image:Marsh_Lock.jpg|right|thumb|The footbridge at Marsh Lock]]
[[Image:Richmond Lock from Isleworth,Middx looking SE.jpg|thumb|right|Richmond Lock]]

There follows a list of locks and weirs in upstream to downstream order, from source to sea.
*[[St John's Lock]]
*[[Buscot Lock]]
*[[Grafton Lock]]
*[[Radcot Lock]]
*[[Rushey Lock]]
*[[Shifford Lock]]
*[[Northmoor Lock]]
*[[Pinkhill Lock]]
*[[Eynsham Lock]]
*[[King's Lock]]
*[[Godstow Lock]]
*[[Osney Lock]]
*[[Iffley Lock]]
*[[Sandford Lock]]
*[[Abingdon Lock]]
*[[Culham Lock]]
*[[Clifton Lock]]
*[[Day's Lock]]
*[[Benson Lock]]
*[[Cleeve Lock]]
*[[Goring Lock]]
*[[Whitchurch Lock]]
*[[Mapledurham Lock]]
*[[Caversham Lock]]
*[[Sonning Lock]]
*[[Shiplake Lock]]
*[[Marsh Lock]]
*[[Hambleden Lock]]
*[[Hurley Lock]]
*[[Temple Lock]]
*[[Marlow Lock]]
*[[Cookham Lock]]
*[[Boulter's Lock]]
*[[Bray Lock]]
*[[Boveney Lock]]
*[[Romney Lock]]
*[[Old Windsor Lock]]
*[[Bell Weir Lock]]
*[[Penton Hook Lock]]
*[[Chertsey Lock]]
*[[Shepperton Lock]]
*[[Sunbury Lock]]
*[[Molesey Lock]]
*[[Teddington Lock]]
*[[Richmond Lock]]

Additionally, [[Blake's Lock]] is located on a reach of the [[River Kennet]] that is administered by the Environment Agency as part of the River Thames, and is often counted as a Thames Lock.

==See also==

* [[Thames Barrier]]
* [[Crossings of the River Thames]]
* [[Islands in the River Thames]]

==External links==
* [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/a_users_guide_to_the_River_thames.pdf The '''must have''' guide for all Thames users]
* [http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Environment Agency]
* [http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/locks.htm Floating down the river]

[[Category:Locks on the River Thames|*]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames|*]]

Sonning Lock

2007-09-27T15:31:33Z

Mayalld: stub

[[Image:46516922_a48ebe0812_b-1-.jpg|thumb|Looking downstream towards Sonning Lock, with the lock to the right and the weir to the left.]]

'''Sonning Lock''' is a [[Canal lock|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] at the village of [[Sonning]] near [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], [[England]]. It is owned and managed by the [[Environment Agency]].

== Quotations ==

: "The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay."
:: — ''[[Charles Dickens]]'' (1882)

: Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,
: By art improved, by nature truly blest?
: A noble river at its base running,
: It is a little village known as Sonning.
:: — ''[[James Sadler]]'' (1845–1885), Sonning [[lock keeper]]

== See also ==

* [[Locks on the River Thames]]
* [[Sonning Bishop's Palace]], nearby
* [[Blake's Lock]] on the [[River Kennet]] upstream

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Caversham Lock]] 2.63 miles|downstream=[[Shiplake Lock]] 2.91 miles|location=SU752754}}

{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}
{{UK-canal-stub}}

{{coor title d|51.47258|N|0.91868|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU752754)}}

[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Sonning|Lock]]

Rochdale Canal

2007-09-27T09:58:32Z

Mayalld: correct and expand on lock numbers

{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}
[[Image:Rochdalecanallock.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Lock on the Rochdale Canal with water flowing over the gate due to the lack of a side channel.]]
The '''Rochdale Canal''' is a navigable "broad" [[canal]] in the North of [[England]], part of the connected system of the [[Canals of Great Britain]]. The "Rochdale" in its name refers to the town of [[Rochdale]], [[Greater Manchester]], through which the canal passes.

The "Rochdale" is a Broad canal because its bridges and [[canal locks|locks]] are wide enough to allow vessels of 14ft width. The canal runs for 32 miles (51 kilometres) across the [[Pennines]] from the [[Bridgewater Canal]] at [[Castlefield]] Basin in [[Manchester]] to join the [[Calder and Hebble Navigation]] at [[Sowerby Bridge]] in [[West Yorkshire]].

As originally built, the canal had 92 locks. Whilst the traditional lock numbering has been retained on all restored locks, and on all the relocated locks, the canal now has only 91 locks. The former locks 3 & 4 have been replaced with a single deep lock ([[Tuel Lane Lock]]), which is numbered as '''3/4'''

==History==
The canal gained its act of parliament at its second attempt in 1794 and was completed in 1804. Because of its width, it was more successful than the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], but soon faced competition from the [[Manchester and Leeds Railway]] (1841). By cutting tolls the canal managed to maintain business and for a time remained profitable but by the start of the 20th century it was in trouble. In 1923 the canal's reservoirs were sold off. Most of the canal (apart from a short profitable section in [[Manchester]] linking the Bridgewater and [[Ashton Canal]]s) was closed in 1952 (the last complete journey having taken place in 1937) and by the mid '60s the remainder was almost unusable.

With the growth in leisure boating, a campaign was mounted for its re-opening. The first success was a re-fashioned link with the Calder and Hebble Canal (which had never closed) at Sowerby Bridge, involving one of the candidates for the deepest lock on the British canal system ([[Tuel Lane Lock]] at nearly 20ft). As restoration proceeded, boats could travel further and further west, and the restoration of the sections through [[Failsworth]] and [[Ancoats]] were a significant part of the re-development of the north Manchester districts. In July 2002, the restored sections joined up with the never-closed section in Manchester, thus re-opening the canal to navigation along its entire length.

[[Image:Rochdale canal railway viaduct.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The castellated railway viaduct and locks just south of Todmorden.]]

==Today==
The Rochdale is significant for leisure boating in that it is one of the three canals which cross the Pennines and thus join north-western canals with the waterways of the North East, as well as opening the possibilities of touring various Pennine [[Canal ring|Rings]] (the Huddersfield Narrow Canal had reopened the year before, and the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]] had never closed).

A great attraction of the Rochdale Canal for the leisure boater lies in the fact that (unlike the Leeds and Liverpool and the Huddersfield Narrow) it climbs high over the Pennine moors rather than tunnelling through them, and the boater is surrounded by scenery which is correspondingly more spectacular (with the "penalty" of having to work more locks).

The Rochdale is at the heart of several important leisure boating routes
* In Manchester, the Rochdale Canal connects the [[Ashton Canal]] to the [[Bridgewater Canal]], and is thus a short link in the [[Cheshire Ring]], a one- (or better, two-) week [[canal ring]] which has been popular for 30 years.
* The Ashton Canal connects to the western end of the [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], making the Rochdale Canal part of the [[South Pennine Ring]].
* The Bridgewater Canal connects to the western end of the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]], making the Rochdale Canal part of the [[North Pennine Ring]].
* The Ashton and the Bridgewater connect the Rochdale to all the canals on the west side of England, including the [[Lancaster Canal]], [[Trent and Mersey Canal]] and [[Macclesfield Canal]].

East from Manchester, it crosses the Pennines via the hill towns and villages of [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]], [[Summit, Rochdale|Summit]], [[Todmorden]], [[Hebden Bridge]], [[Mytholmroyd]], and [[Luddendenfoot]] (where [[Bramwell Bronte]] was a railway booking clerk). Finally, at Sowerby Bridge, its connection with the Calder and Hebble gives boats access to all the north-eastern waterways including the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]], the [[Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation]], and the rivers [[River Ouse, Yorkshire|Ouse]] and [[River Trent|Trent]] (and, for boaters who wish to do a "ring", the eastern ends of the Huddersfield Narrow and Leeds/Liverpool canals).

The Rochdale has had many problems since reopening (often related to a shortage of water, because the canal's reservoirs had been sold off when the canal closed). In April 2005 the canal bank was breached between lock 60 and lock 63<ref name=April2005Breach> Irk Aqueduct Breach [http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news18.htm from Pennine Waterways]</ref>, near the [[River Irk]]. Thousands of gallons of water surged down the river towards the nearby town of [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]], echoing the great Middleton canal tragedy of 1927<ref name=July1927Breach> Great Flood of Middleton [http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/community/canal/dark_side/s/331/331392_great_flood_of_middleton.html from the Rochdale Observer]</ref>. The canal re-opened in Summer 2006, but had problems throughout the season.

The high frequency of navigation restrictions (and the need to book passage through Tuel Lane lock, and across the summit pound) means that anyone planning to use the canal should consult the British Waterways website.

==See also==
*[[Canals of Great Britain]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

==External links==
*[http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/rochdale/ Rochdale Canal]
*[http://www.waterscape.com British Waterways Leisure Site]
*[http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/rochdale01.htm#castleton5 News item about Farmer responsible for vandalised sections]

==References==
*''Pearson's Canal Companion Pennine waters ISBN 0-9545383-4-X''
<references/>

[[Category:Canals in Oldham]]
[[Category:Canals in Rochdale]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Geography of West Yorkshire]]

Whitchurch Lock

2007-09-27T06:56:00Z

Mayalld: stub

'''Whitchurch Lock''' is a [[Canal lock|lock]] and [[weir]] situated on the [[River Thames]] in [[England]]. The lock is located in the [[Oxfordshire]] village of [[Whitchurch-on-Thames]] but the weir crosses the river to the [[Berkshire]] village of [[Pangbourne]]. Both lock and weir are owned and managed by the [[Environment Agency]].

The long serving lock keeper is Brian Butcher who has worked on the river for more than forty years starting as an apprentice engineer for Bert Bushnell's hire fleet based in Maidenhead in the 1960s.

==Access to the lock==

Whitchurch Lock is one of the few locks on the River Thames which has no public access other than by boat.

==Reach above the lock==

The reach passes along the [[Chiltern Hills]], culminating in [[Goring Gap]]. On the Oxfordshire side are Hartslock beech woods, named after a lock that was removed in 1910. On the Berksire side is Child Beale Wildlife Park. The '''[[Thames Path]]''' crosses [[Whitchurch Bridge]] into Oxfordshire and continues through Whitchurch away from the river as it goes round Coombe Park, returning to the river at Hartslock. It continues on the Oxfordshire river bank to Goring.

== See also ==
*[[Locks on the River Thames]]

{{Start box}}
{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Goring Lock]] 1.07 miles|downstream=[[Mapledurham Lock]] 2.28 miles|location=SU634768}}
{{End box}}

{{Berkshire-struct-stub}}
{{UK-canal-stub}

{{coor title d|51.48661|N|1.08830|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SU634768)}}

[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Locks of Berkshire]]
[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Weirs on the River Thames]]

William Jessop

2007-09-26T15:13:06Z

Mayalld: stub

'''William Jessop''' ([[23 January]] [[1745]] - [[18 November]] [[1814]]) was a noted [[England|English]] [[civil engineer]], particularly famed for his work on [[canal]]s, [[harbour]]s and early [[railways]] in the late [[18th century|18th]] and early [[19th century|19th centuries]]. He was father of [[Josias Jessop]].

Jessop was born in [[Devonport, Devon]] in [[1745]], the son of a shipwright known to leading civil engineer [[John Smeaton]] through his work on the [[Eddystone Lighthouse]]. When his father died, William Jessop was taken on as a pupil by Smeaton (who also acted as Jessop’s guardian), working on various canal schemes in [[Yorkshire]]. After working for some years as Smeaton's assistant, Jessop increasingly began to work as an engineer in his own right.

In [[1790]], he founded (with fellow engineer [[Benjamin Outram]]) the [[Butterley]] Iron Works in [[Derbyshire]] to manufacture (amongst other things) cast-iron [[Wagonway|edge rails]] – a design Jessop had used successfully on a horse-drawn railway scheme for coal wagons between [[Nanpantan]] and [[Loughborough]], [[Leicestershire]] ([[1789]]).

His projects included:
*the [[Calder and Hebble Navigation]] (1758-70)
*the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]]
*the [[Ripon Canal]] (1767)
*the [[Chester Canal]] (May 1778) as a contractor with James Pinkerton
*the [[Barnsley Canal]] (1792-1802)
*the [[Grand Canal of Ireland]] between the [[River Shannon]] and [[Dublin]] (1773-1805)
*the [[Grand Junction Canal]] (1793-1805 - later part of the [[Grand Union Canal]])
*the [[Cromford Canal]], [[Derbyshire]]/[[Nottinghamshire]]
*the [[Nottingham Canal]] (1792-1796)
*the [[River Trent Navigation]]
*the [[Grantham Canal]] (1793-1797 - the first English canal entirely dependent on [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] for its water supply)
*oversight of the [[Ellesmere Canal]] – (1793-1805 - detailed design undertaken by [[Thomas Telford]])
*the [[Rochdale Canal]] (1794-1798)
*the [[West India Docks]] and [[Isle of Dogs]] canal, [[London]] (1800-1802; [[John Rennie (engineer)|John Rennie]] was a consultant on the Docks project)
*the [[Surrey Iron Railway]], linking [[Wandsworth]] and [[Croydon]] (1801-1802 – arguably the world's first public railway – albeit horse-drawn)
*the '[[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]]' in [[Bristol]] (1804-1809)
*the [[Kilmarnock and Troon Railway]] (1807-1812; the first railway in Scotland authorised by [[Act of Parliament]])
*harbours at [[Shoreham-by-Sea]] and [[Littlehampton]], [[West Sussex]]

From 1784 to 1805 Jessop lived in [[Newark, England|Newark]] in [[Nottinghamshire]], where he twice served as town mayor.

For a detailed biography see Hadfield, C. and Skempton, ''A. W. William Jessop, Engineer'' (Newton Abbot 1979).

[[Category:1745 births|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:1814 deaths|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:English inventors|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:English civil engineers|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:canal engineers|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:People from Plymouth|Jessop, William]]
[[Category:People of the Industrial Revolution|Jessop, William]]
{{UK-canal-stub}}

[[no:William Jessop]]

Liskeard-und-Looe-Union-Kanal

2007-09-26T14:15:01Z

Mayalld: destub

The '''Liskeard and Looe Union Canal''' is a derelict broad [[canal]] between [[Liskeard]] and [[Looe]] in [[Cornwall]], [[United Kingdom]]. The canal is almost 6 miles (10km) long and has 25 [[canal lock|locks]]. The Engineer was [[Robert Coad]]. Traffic on the canal ceased around [[1910]].

==Overview==

Planning of the canal began in the 1770s but it was not until 1825 that the necessary [[Act of Parliament]] was obtained. The canal opened for traffic in 1828, running from Terras Pill, near Looe, to [[Moorswater]], near Liskeard.

Initially the southbound traffic was mainly [[Agriculture|agricultural produce]] while the northbound traffic included [[fertilizer]], [[Lime (mineral)|lime]] and [[coal]].

In the 1840s the growth of [[mining]] on [[Caradon Hill]], north of Moorswater, led to increased southbound [[mineral]] traffic.

The [[ore]]s, mostly of [[copper]], [[tin]] and [[lead]] were brought from Caradon Hill to Moorswater by [[packhorse]] and then loaded on to [[barge]]s.

==Railways==

The use of packhorses was difficult and costly so, in 1843, an Act of Parliament was obtained to authorise the construction of the [[Liskeard and Caradon Railway]], running from Moorswater to the mines on Caradon Hill.

With continued growth in mineral traffic the canal became unable to cope and, in 1858, a further Act of Parliament was obtained to authorise the construction of the [[Liskeard and Caradon Railway|Liskeard and Looe Railway]] which connected with the Liskeard and Caradon Railway at Moorswater.

The Liskeard and Caradon Railway closed in 1917 but the Liskeard and Looe Railway still operates under the title [[Looe Valley Line]].

==Sources==
* ''The Railways, Canal and Mines of Looe and Liskeard'' by Lawrence Popplewell, published by the Oakwood Press in 1977

==See also==
*[[Canals of Great Britain]]
*[[History of the British canal system]]

== External links ==
*[http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/jim.shead/History15.html Introduction]
*[http://www.geocities.com/teammanley/CaradonRail/Companys.htm#LLUC Caradon Hill Lines]

[[Category:Canals in England]]
[[Category:Transport in Cornwall]]

Iffley Lock

2007-09-25T15:45:12Z

Mayalld: stub

[[Image:IffleyLock.jpg|thumb|200px|Iffley Lock]]
[[Image:IffleyLockFromTowpath.jpg|thumb|200px|The Lock, from the towpath]] [[Image:RollersAtIffleyLock.jpg|thumb|200px|The Rollers at Iffley Lock]]

'''Iffey Lock''' is a [[lock (canal)|lock]] on the [[River Thames]] near the village of [[Iffley]], [[Oxfordshire]], [[England]], on the outskirts of the city of [[Oxford]]. It is located at {{coor dms|51|43|42.45|N|1|14|25.21|W|}}.

The river at this point and around Oxford in general is known as the [[The Isis|Isis]]. Further upstream towards the centre of Oxford are [[Donnington Bridge]], [[Christ Church Meadow]] and [[Folly Bridge]]. The upstream stretch of the river is used for [[sport rowing|rowing]], and is the location of the University rowing regattas of Torpids and Summer Eights.

There are three flows of river at the lock, one through the lock, at two to the east. The most easterly used to be the Mill Stream. In addition, a set of rollers allow [[punt (boat)|punts]] and [[rowing boat]]s to be moved between the water levels.

== External links ==

* [http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Iffley_Lock Waterscape.com information]

== See also ==
* [[Locks on the River Thames]]

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{{River lock start|River=[[River Thames]]}}
{{River lock line|upstream=[[Osney Lock]] 2.32 miles|downstream=[[Sandford Lock]] 1.68 miles|location=SP525036}}
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[[Category:Locks on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Locks of Oxfordshire]]