Top of the lock with the lift operator wringing water out of his shirt
This lady fell overboard and he had to pull her out
Lock 21 Peterborough Lift Lock
This is the highest of its kind in the world and is a major attraction of the Waterway. 2004 marked its 100th anniversary.
How it Works
Built between 1896 and 1904 of unreinforced concrete, the Peterborough Hydraulic Lift Lock was one of the world's largest concrete structures at the time and was considered an engineering wonder. It still is.
The lift lock raises and lowers boats in two water-filled steel chambers. Each of the chambers is 140 feet long and holds about 228,000 imperial gallons weighing 1,700 tons. The two 7.5-foot diameter chamber rams, each with a lifting reach of 65 feet are connected in a closed water hydraulic system. Any movement of one chamber must force an equal and opposite movement of the other chamber.
To transfer boats, the upper chamber is overbalanced by taking on an extra foot of water. When the value connecting the hydraulic rams is opened, the heavier upper chamber travels downward forcing the opposite chamber an equal distance upward.
Boater can rest easy about the sturdiness of the massive structure. To establish the foundation, 76,000 cubic yards of sand, soil and gravel were excavated until limestone bedrock was reached 40 feet down. The press wells for the hydraulic rams were excavated a further 75 feet into the rock. Granite blocks, some weighing over 10 tons were lowered to the bottom to provide a footing for the rams.
Lock staff complete a trial-run transfer each morning before opening to the public.
Large tour boat coming out of the lock
Houseboat tied up below the lock.....very inexperienced operator
A stop at the Visitor Centre
Back on the boat and Saddi has her baby
Lazy day on the boat today.....we head upriver tomorrow and will go through Lock 21
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