On Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:22 PM [GMT+1=CET], Ray Butler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Mike's mystery object looks like either: > > > > 1) A handrail to be used in conjunction with rungs driven into > the wall or footholds in the brickwork to let boatmen climb up the > wall from the boats to operate the locks (In common with Marple, > Bosley locks lack landings at the tails and are beasts to work > single-handed) Ohers have suggested that. > Curved balance beams on the Regents anyone...? When were they? They're not shown in the drawing of the 1820s. > 2) (and less likely) An equivalent of the block - rope pegs found > on Tardebigge locks, whereby the towline was taken from the horse > through a pulley on the mast and forward onto a pin like an inverted > "L" facing in the direction of travel, Bosley locks have such pins at the top end. I don't think such a device would be likely at the bottom end, and the extra impulse could be given to the boat by a flush from the top paddles. Mike Stevens narrowboat Felis Catus III web-site www.mike-stevens.co.uk No man is an island. So is Man.
