The Tidal Gates. Designed to allow the tide rise and the sea to enter the pool.
They were closed, and the sluices closed.
When the channel needed clearance of silt and sand,
especially as it collected when the Cornwall Copper Company had flushed their sluices, the sluices were opened, and water gushed under great natural pressure into the centre of the channel.
This was all devised in 1834, as an alteration to the older Carnsew Quay.
The location of these gates is at the head of the channel beside the shipyards.
In this first picture, the 'curved wall' may just be seen.
Looking at the gate edges, it appears that they were edged with bands of oiled leather.
9th May 2009.
