Saturday 13 August 2022

09 (Louth Canal Project). Ticklepenny Lock.

 TICKLEPENNY LOCK.

Ticklepenny Lock is one of the deepest locks on the system, named after a local family of smallholders, lock keepers and collector of tolls.  The locks are without their doors but all the ironwork and masonry is still intact.

The canal meanders it's way toward Ticklepenny Lock on it's way
 from Alvingham.

This shows how deep this lock is, the water would have been a lot deeper but since the
canal was abandoned the levels have been deliberately lowered. 
Also here, we see a better example of the Barrel shaped construction of the lock.

On the opposite side of the road bridge the canal drops down a yard or so.


Here we see the canal passing below the road bridge.


Original iron work, but all the gates were removed after the closure of the canal to
make use of the timbers.  All the swing bridges were removed and replaced with
permanent  road bridges.


I got down to the water level to show the depth of this lock.  No, I didn't get wet.



The Louth Navigation Trust carried out repairs to Ticklepenny Lock in 1996 & learnt about the structure of the lock and it's foundations.  Wooden piles had been driven down into the clay bed before it was built and then horizontal beams laid across the piles.  The brick & stone masonry of the lock was built directly on top of this wooden base.  The trust replaced the wooden foundations with concrete.
All the locks on the canal were constructed using this method.
 That these wooden foundations had lasted since the 1770's is  testament to the canal builders skill. 

Olympus EM1 Mk2 + 12-40mm Pro lens.


6 comments:

  1. Fascinating. The wooden foundations, you mention: quite amazing that they lasted so long. Love the Ticklepenny name. Great post, David, both photos and information - I like the red brickwork and the ironwork especially.
    Still very hot here, should be cooler next week. Good wishes.

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    1. I found Ticklepenny really interesting. Only one more section of the canal project to go, I've already photographed it but will not be posting it just yet.
      Hot here today but maybe not as much as where you are. We're getting a northerly wind off the North Sea and the temperature just now is 24 degrees but it feels fresh. Take care.

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  2. I really enjoyed this piece of canal history, David, although I am always said when they have been abandoned. This is fascinating, though and the barrel shape is quite special. I like the old ironwork too. This is something I’d love to see!

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    1. I find it hard to imagine how the Humber Keelboats were able to navigate the canal, even when it was being maintained. Thanks for commenting Val, much appreciated. 😊 🐕 🐢

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    2. Yes, they are such substantial barges!

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  3. Hi David contact secretary@louthcanal.org.uk if you want a chat. Hope you are getting on OK, I know Steve has gone home now thanks Paula

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