Marsh lock
The Marsh Lock is a lock on the River Thames in Berkshire , England . The first lock was built in 1773 by the Thames Navigation Commission . It is close to the Berkshire waterfront, but is accessed from Oxfordshire via two long walkways. Since the lock is on the opposite bank of the towpath , these two wooden walkways were built to lead it to the lock and back to the bank. This is unique to the Thames locks.
The weir consists of a series of iron water gates and is located between the two piers.
history
The earliest mention of a lock comes from 1580, but it is probably older. The new lock was one of the first eight built following the reorganization of navigation on the Thames in 1770. The lock was made from spruce by Humphrey Gainsborough in 1773 . In 1780 it was reported that the sluice was deteriorating and in 1787 it was rebuilt in oak . The first lock keeper's house was built in 1813.
With its location on the bank opposite the towpath, the new lock was seen as very impractical and dangerous for shipping. There is evidence from 1814 that the lock was still in operation.
In 1843 the lock was in poor condition and there were plans to move it to the other side of the river, but these plans were not implemented. The second jetty was created at this time. The weir was renewed after 1879. There were renewed efforts to relocate the lock, but it was renewed with reinforced wood and reopened in 1886. Another renovation took place in 1914. The weir was rebuilt in 2004.
The river above the lock
The Bolney Ferry was operated on the Hennerton Backwater . The following islands are called Ferry Eyot , Poplar Eyot and Handbuck Eyot . Shortly before the Shiplake Lock , the River Loddon from Berkshire flows into the Thames and the Shiplake Railway Bridge crosses the river.
The Thames Path initially follows the river on the western bank. However, it then passes through Shiplake and does not return to the river until Shiplake Lock . The diversion is based on the fact that the towpath crossed the river at the Bolney Ferry and then changed the river bank a little further upstream at the now defunct Lashbrook Ferry .
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Fred S. Thacker: The Thames Highway. Volume II: Locks and Weirs. 1920 - 1968 reissued, David & Charles, Newton Abbot.
Coordinates: 51 ° 31 '43.1 " N , 0 ° 53' 12.8" W.