Passing three boats inside the staircase

In this case there was one boat descending needing to pass two boats ascending; the ascending boat which directly faces half an empty lock has come forward; its partner has pushed across its chamber; the descending boat has gone forward into the space thereby created in the far chamber. It now remains for the first ascending boat to push across to make a space for its partner, which then comes forward, before closing the gates to separate the boats, and each side continues on its way. In this case, there was sufficient space for the short boat to weave a path between the sterns of the longer boats to take position on the right of the nearer chamber.As instigator of this potential arrangement it is worth having a succinct explanation of its operation for the oncoming steerers, and securing their agreement to the fun, all before commitment to the descent of the top lock.

Photograph taken by PeterScott on 26 May 2004 and was added to the database on Monday the 11th of July, 2005

This photo is one of 9 of Northgate Staircase Locks Nos 41 to 43 on the Shropshire Union Canal (Chester Canal - Bunbury to Chester) [Previous | Next]