All our yesterdays...................a two pointer

#21

lowering shale then?

#22

Looks like a mobile lock !

#23

Right let's put MGB out of that misery...............

A 'fan boat' at Perry Hall Bridge near Wednesfield on the Wyrley & Essington Canal. Built in 1898 and last used in 1938, these boats were a unique device for emptying long pounds quickly. After the boat had been sunk in the narrows of a bridge hole by opening the sealed doors at the fore-end, water was channelled by the water wheel or fan through an anti splash spillway.

#24

I would never have got that in a million years! I'm still mystified though as to how it actually worked. Both levels either side of the boat when sunk would have to be level so where does the water go? A long pound takes an enormous amount of water so it can't go into the pound above or it would flood, so is it diverted by the spillway to a nearby stream or what? Answers on a postcard..........................

#25

If yow dow believe me MGB, have a look at photo 38 in that book

Bet one of you canalacolic mates will know how MGB

#26

Ps - do you recognise the bridge now