Publish Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates: 44° 17.763′ N 78° 19.023′ W
Yesterday we came through the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway. This lock was built 100 years ago, and it is still the highest lift lock in the world, raising and lowering boats 65 feet. It operates on hydraulics, using two counter-balanced “tubs” to transfer boats and the water on which they float. Unlike a traditional lock, there is no filling or draining of water, so the transit is turbulance-free. It’s also comparatively fast, sort of like an elevator in a tall building.
I continue to be in awe of the machines and infrastructure that were built all over the world during the industrial revolution. The amount of earth that needed to be moved, concrete that needed to be poured, and steel that needed to be fabricated was simply amazing. Even today the Peterborgough lock is an engineering marvel, and it’s even more so when you consider that it was built at the dawn of the use of concrete as a structural material. The lock works pretty much the way it did 100 years ago, and except for a few minor components, it operates with all the original equipment. Now that’s durability!
The Anderton lift in England is similar (and by coincidence, also on a Trent waterway), but only has a 50′ lift:
http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/Seven-Wonders.html
Hi…we saw you today at the lock in Healy’s Bay…4 of us parked at the top of the lock enjoying the day….just got back to our home and having at look at your website and journey…..amazing….have a wonderful trip…we will follow you as you go……take care….enjoy your time in Canada..how and deb mccarthy
Caught your segment on CHEX news and had to look up your website.
I think I missed you going thru my hometown of Buckhorn.
Congratulations on your journey so far and much success as you travel onward.
Your daughter will have a career in broadcasting if so desired. She’s great.
All the best to the three of you and of course, Dilly.
David,
Really enjoy your blogs and all the writing that you guys are doing. Learning alot from your experiences, and I check out your site every day or two. Great to see a new video today.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Richard
The Videos ROCK! Looking good you guys.
Watch the sun..