The west entrance of the lock of the canal; south gate central rail top.
It appears there was a rope and or chain which opened/closed the gates.
The gates were massive, of metal and baulk timber, with diagonal boarding.
It appears that the water reached the top of the boarded section and poured over once a level had been reached.
This must have been a complex operation, as the pool was designed to provide sluice water to clear the channels of sand;
to allow for the arrival and departures (safe depth and safe current) must have taken some control,
particularly in connection with the river outlet, which flows through here.
Once ships had berthed at one of the three quays, they could bed on the mud; but to depart the water level had to increase to sea level.
Knowledge of tides, currents and river were essential.
14th April 2009
