One last bit about the lift then we will be back on our travels.
This is the hydraulic ram that supports...............................
This! 250 tons of metal, water and boats.
The lift was operated with water hydraulics when it was first built but the water around here is so full of salt and other chemicals the pipes corroded and the lift failed repeatedly. The whole structure was then fitted with the gear wheels and motors that you can still see on the top.
This was then once again changed back to a hydraulic system but with the benefit of oil instead of water.
Here we are with another boat waiting to be pushed aloft.
The other caisson on its way down.
Half way now, lots of photos being swapped here.
Well those few days have all been an experience not to have been missed.
We are now on the Bridgewater canal on our way to Manchester, the Bank Holiday weekend is upon us and it is getting busy again. We interrupted a "Narrowboat Rally" today as we cruised along. More pictures to follow.
Until tomorrow......................
2 comments:
You'd probably be surprised how small a pump it take to force one caisson up and the other down considering the tons of weight that are being moved. Because the weight of the two are about the same, (remember even when there is a boat in one and not the other, the weight of the water displaced by the boat equals the weight of the boat.) the only difference would be due to the level of the water in each caisson being different. (If they are built identically.)
How annoying is Bill?!
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