"The Changing Thames"

[Chris_d]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_lock

Very dangerous things, by all accounts

Yes but its all over in a flash

Any news

 

[boatone]

Found this about Eynsham Lock :

http://eynsham-pc.gov.uk/processtype.asp?GalleryCatID=85&ProcessType=7

 

[byron]

Now, I am going to appear to be ignorant..... but what is a "flash lock"?

From Wikepedia

Early locks were designed with a single gate, known as a flash lock. The earliest European references to what were clearly flash locks were in Roman times.[1]
In England the "gate" was a set of boards, called paddles, supported against the current by upright timbers called rymers which normally kept the level of water above it to navigable levels. Boats moving downstream would wait above the lock until the paddles were removed, which would allow a "flash" of water to pass through, carrying the boats with it. Upstream boats would be winched or towed through the lock with the paddles removed. Considerable skill was involved both in removing the paddles in a timely manner and navigating the boat through the lock.
Flash locks were commonly built into small dams or weirs where a head of water was used for powering a mill. The lock allowed boats to pass the weir while still allowing the mill to operate when the gate was closed.

 

[Bassplayer]

Jeez. Scary. So a bowthruster wouldn't help too much on these locks either

 

[No Regrets]

Thats a good thing!

Boats do not need Bowthrusters, just a decent Skipper is all one needs

 

[byron]

Thats a good thing!

Boats do not need Bowthrusters, just a decent Skipper is all one needs

Or you can go the whole hog with Bowthrusters like 'Cassy' has. He can stand on the bank and operate his bow/stern Thrusters electronically. Alan is a lot older than me and is the original "Gadget Man"

 

[No Regrets]

I can just imagine the Barman at the Beetle and Wedge laying his comatose body on his foredeck, and 'sending' him over to your side to moor up...

Useful piece of kit!