So what happens at Selby Lock?

Thursday, 01 July 2010 16:08

A gongoozling morning

In anticipation of going through Selby Lock onto the River Ouse tomorrow, we watched as some boats went down this morning.

Selby Lock from bottom gates

The Lock Keeper controls the lock and boats enter the Ouse at Flood tide, which reached the lock about 10 am today.

The River Ouse rising

The Lock Keeper used manual paddle gear until the lock was electrified 12 years ago (the same applies to the swing bridge above, which BW used to open manually). Nigel (I think that is his name) was lamenting the modern technology, as in the old days he was fitter and the job was more interesting!

Old paddle gear

The first boat to go through was a narrowboat - Nigel advises narrowboats to go out slowly and let the tide take the boat before trying to turn.

Narrowboat letting the tide carry it

The second boat was wide narrowboat Isambard who have done the lock before. Sue and Graham made a good job of it and even had time for a natter in the lock and shout back from the river!

Isambard in Selby Lock and Lock Keeper at control panel

Out they go before turning into the tide

Lastly we watched Marlyn, an ex Broads Cruiser leave the lock and do what a river cruiser is built to do - put down the throttle and power away!

We took a walk into Selby after this and crossed onto the road swing bridge which is the second bridge after exiting the lock. To the east is the train swing bridge and to the west is Westmills Food factory and wharf.

So tomorrow is our turn - we were glad we had taken the time to watch and have a good chat to the Lock Keeper. He gave us good advice on returning back down the Ouse, we must avoid the Spring Tides in mid July!

Boats travelling down stream travel on the Ebb Tide need to turn to stem the tide - i.e. go into the tide at a steady speed, becoming almost stationary in relation to a point on the bank. This gives the helmsman more control.

I am so glad John has had a fair bit of river experience on the helm and having done the Ribble Link last year I am not so apprehensive about tomorrow!

Epiphany punching the tide on the River Douglas