Lock Delays

[John Arton]

Anyone who visited ports where you had to pass through a lock to get to your berth will have most likely experienced delays getting into or out of the lock at some time. This is/was usually due to traffic congestion or having to wait for the tide such as is common at Eastham, but occasionally delays can be caused for other reasons and I have had a few strange ones.
In Antwerp we were just about to enter the lock on the left bank and we were to be last ship in. Suddenly we were told to hold in the basin outside the lock and wait for the next lock. The reason being was that a large Grimaldi car boat had just keeled over inside the dock system and our space in the lock was required for the oil boom and oil recovery boat to come into the lock to get to the keeled over ship and get the oil pollution boom in place. I have also been delayed getting into a lock in Antwerp due to an outbound ship failing to stop and hitting the lock gates and also in one port been prevented from entering the lock caused by dense smoke from a nearby fire threating the lock and making it difficult to see. Workington I have been stuck inside for 3 days due to SW'ly gales preventing the lock gates from opening due to swells setting into the outer basin, which was nice and going up the St. Lawrence seaway we were stopped from entering the first American lock after belting the tie up wall and putting a hole in the hull right into No.1 hold, fortunately above the waterline.
The strangest delay though occurred at Eastham inward bound fully lading for Carrington one trip, where we only had a short period where we could enter the lock to pass over the lock entrance with sufficient clearance under keel. We were held up outside the lock whilst the small survey boat chased a DOLPHIN that had swum into the lock, out of the lock. The Canal Authority's were worried that if we went into the lock with the Dolphin still inside we would either hit and injure it or it would escape into the Canal once the inner gates were opened. The dolphin was having a merry old time swimming round the lock being chased by the small survey boat and looked as if it was having real fun. It eventually gave up and left the lock looking for more fun in the Mersey minutes before the cut off time where we would have had to abandon our lock in.
Anyone else had a strange delay locking in or out?
rgds
JA

[j.sabourn]

They used to empty the locks in the Welland Canal and others in the transit canals from Montreal upto the great lakes in Canada and the States. Dont know whether they still do when the season is closed. However have heard they have even found motor cars when empty. JS

[robpage]

Sat at Avonmouth waiting to sail and the SS Great Britain came in , the lack took ages to get clear because of all teh press and publicity machine

[cappy]

They used to empty the locks in the Welland Canal---motor cars when empty. JS

####any wooden legs.....regards cappy

[j.sabourn]

After the seamens strike in 66/67. The ore carriers that had laid up in Port Talbot were lining up to get out as the strike finished. Dont know who decided the order they went out on. It was the beginning of the end for British Ships, everything went to ratchet over the next 10 years. Cheers JS

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#4... No they fished them out with a boat hook as they floated. Dont know about the metal ones though. Cheers John S.

[happy daze john in oz]

After the seamens strike in 66/67-- over the next 10 years. Cheers JS

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#4... No they fished them out with a boat hook as they floated. Dont know about the metal ones though. Cheers John S.

Obviously not the one from 'Mary' that as far as we know was full of woodworm holes and sank to the bottom.

[Doc Vernon]

They used to empty the locks in the Welland Canal and others in the transit canals from Montreal upto the great lakes in Canada and the States. Dont know whether they still do when the season is closed. However have heard they have even found motor cars when empty. JS

may bring back some memories but may be different from your days JS
cHEERS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U15Fwo9tbJ4&feature=kp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLTfO6E1b40

http://vimeo.com/7593577