Pensnett Canal Stop Lock

[Heartland]

The history of the private Pensnett Canal has been poorly documented and an attempt was made in a recent Blackcountryman Article to improve the understanding of this short waterway. It was built as a early transport development for the Trustees of Lord Ward/Earl of Dudley with work on construction commencing in 1839 and with a completion date probably in 1841. 

 

In order to protect the water of the Dudley Canal, a stop lock was provided at Parkhead where the 1881 ordnance survey shows two gates. Water for the canal was delivered into it at the Wallows from a nearby reservoir (separate to those belonging to the Stourbridge Canal Company) that received water raised by the Pensnett Pumping Engine.

 

The two gate arrangement was at distance apart that was shorter than the narrowboat length and presumably the craft passed the lock in either direction when the level of the Pensnett Canal ensured no loss of water from the Dudley Canal.

 

 

[magpie patrick]

If they're not far enough apart for a boat to fit between them then presumably the gates faced in opposite directions. I think it's unlikely that they were routinely closed and sealed as the levels would hardly ever match if left to chance. Were they perhaps closed at night? Or closed but with a paddle open? Both would provide protection in the event of a sudden large scale leak or burst. 

[Chris Lowe]

The narrows of that lock are still there, maybe an inspecion on the ground is required.

[Mike Todd]

see https://captainahabswaterytales.blogspot.com/2020/05/pensnett-branch-canal.html for interesting pix

[Heartland]

Andy Tidy shows the restored section of the Pensnett Canal at Parkhead, whether during restoration consideration was given to to stop is a matter to ask CRT may be.

 

[Francis Herne]

 -

On 03/03/2024 at 12:54, Heartland said:

Andy Tidy shows the restored section of the Pensnett Canal at Parkhead, whether during restoration consideration was given to to stop is a matter to ask CRT may be.

Ian Smallshire has many photos (his and Vic's) of the Pensnett Canal stub restoration, might be the best person to ask.

The BCNS archive has copies but not sure if Phil's got them indexed yet.

Edited March 5 by Francis Herne

[Heartland]

There is a 1934 image from Britain From Above that shows the Pensnett Canal at Parkhead the cottage that was alongside it.

 

 

[delphnine]

There is a plan in Dudley Archives dated 1839 (ref DE/6/12/3/29) of the foundations of the proposed lock.  It is in very poor condition but does show two gates hinged in opposite directions; the gate nearest the junction hinges towards the Dudley No. 1 Canal and the other hinges away  from the Dudley Canal.  The scale of the plan is an interesting sixth of an inch to 1 foot.   A rough measurement of the plan shows the distance between the gates to be around 45ft.

As others have surmised, the arrangement was to prevent losing water in either direction in the event of a breach. (quite common in those days due to mining.  I do not know when the gates were removed but if they were still there in the 1940s it could have been useful in the event of bombing.  I was involved in the restoration work at Parkhead in the early 1970s and do not recollect seeing any evidence of the gates.

Attached is a sketch taken from the map.