The Last but Not Least Leg Back to Our Huddersfield

After 2 days at Slawit for rest and laundry we set of down the last 23 locks to Huddersfield.

These locks and canl pounds are about the worst on the system. We always have problems with very stiff paddle gear, missing or not working paddles, low water, silted up canal beds and other sundry problems.

The fact is that we have no option but to approach Huddersfield from this direction as Invicta is too long for the Huddersfield Broad and Calder and Hebble canals.


The little used sanity station in Slaithwaite at lock 21E in the centre of the village









Approaching lock 12E we found a large crew of builders and equipment.







They had to move their work boat from the lock so we could get in.








They were installing the controversial and utterly useless new bollards that are appearing all around the canal system. The money would be better spent elsewhere on the Huddersfield canal.






Passing Milnsbridge by the side of the Four Horseshoes pub.












We actually met 2 boats today. This one at lock 4E Longroyd Bridge was a hire boat and the crew told us of problems down in the tunnels where they had been held up for hours. They said that there was no water in the canal.





The first of the 2 new tunnels that goes under Sellers engineering works. There are plans to open this tunnel up and create a marina but nothing seems to happening at the moment.













At the second tunnel below lock 2E we found an extremely low water level. We had no choice but to let the water through from the pound above and advise BW what we had done otherwise we would have been stuck.





Passing through the Huddersfield University campus very near to home







The final few yards with the old converted warehouse and crane to the left. The bridge carries the main Wakefield road out of Huddersfield.








A few yards later and we are back on our home mooring.













The totals for our 4 month tour are as follows:-

Mileage 576.5

No of Locks 652

Cruising Hours 318

Average Speed MPH 1.81


Since we have owned Invicta we have travelled just under 8000 miles, passed through just under 6000 locks


Thanks for looking at our blog. We hope you have enjoyed following our adventures around the canal system. Perhaps it will make someone want to try out canal boating for themselves or to visit some of the places we have been too.

So its a final goodbye from Brian and Sue.

A Long Way Down to Slaithwaite (Known Locally as Slawit)

Most of the following photos were taken by Claire. She really has a good eye for a photo.


An early morning start from Marsden with the sun breaking through the mist and reflection on the roofs on the other side of the valley.








Leaking lock gates.











Early morning sun and silhouettes











Making our way down the locks











His boots are there but where’s the BW man to repair lock 38 where we were stuck.







He’s in the water putting stop planks across the lock head to prevent water wastage while repairs to a broken paddle are made






The top paddle had fallen off and stopping the lock from emptying








Brian the BW repairman squeezes into the paddle recess







Brian tells the tales to the following boater







Idyllic scenery at West Slaithwaite












Our usual mooring at Slawit alongside “Moonraker” owned by our friend Val. Note the bottle of rum which is now a tradition as we pass by.







Steam boat Emily Ann takes on special welsh steam coal that had been delivered from Clitheroe Lancashire over 50 miles away

Post Trip Clean Up and Breifing

Whilst Brian and Sue set about cleaning the tunnel debris from Invicta Claire was taking photographs

Fred and Brian relate the trip details to British Waterways manger James Dean.






Fred, Brian Sue







Sue not falling in







The main tcovoy catches us up#







Busy at Tunnel End













Cleaning

























More cleaning

Invicta Enters the History Books

Following contacts with British Waterways we got permission to take Invicta through Standedge tunnel under our own power.

This was part of BW’s trials being carried out to establish the effects of fume build ups in the tunnel. They had been trialling various modern craft with low level exhausts but were now ready for testing a boat with a vintage engine with roof mounted vertical exhaust.

Invicta fitted the bill nicely as so we became the first boat of its type to pass through the tunnel under power.

The intention was that the BW pilot would steer the boat and the owner travel on the electric tug or in the boat cabin under “house arrest” so not to present a safety problem if they came out on the deck.

As the controls were unique to Invicta the BW pilot agreed for Brian to be on the boat to advise and attend to the engine during the trip.

Claire was allowed to stay in the cabin but Sue had to take Rufus over the top of the hill as pets are not allowed in the tunnel.


Shortly after setting of it became apparent that it was better that Brian steer to boat and the BW pilot advising the best speed and positioning within the tunnel. By combining or relevant skills we had a pleasurable trip.

Unfortunately we became wedged in the last narrow pinch point just before we reached Marsden. After backing up and retrying 3 times and still not getting through we reversed to an adit where the assistant BW man went to summon the control centre.

They advised that the level was 3-1/2 inches below normal and we shouldn’t be having trouble. Brian reckoned it was at least 5 to 6 inches below normal by looking at the tide mark on the tunnel wall and the levels observed at lock 32W where Rufus had been playing (see previous blog post).

We returned to the pinch point and tried again but became stuck again. Fred Carter the BW pilot suggested we “legged” Invicta through we agreed that it was the action of the propeller that was causing the boat to be lower in the water that if it was being towed or legged.

With the three of us using boat poles and hands on the tunnel roof and walls Invicta edged her way forward as if the obstruction was not there.

Ten minutes later, we emerged at them Marsden portal thus completing the first ever trip by a vintage engined boat.

Brian also went into the history books as being the first private boat owner to steer a boat through the tunnel since 1944 when the canal was abandoned.

As the exhaust pipe was removed which is designed to split the flow of gases to each side the force of the exhaust hitting the tunnel brought down a lot of shale and debris which covered both of us and the back end of Invicta’s roof and sides.

The tug convoy arrived about an hour later as we travelled much faster than they did.

Brian wrote a full formal and report of the trip and sent it to British Waterways, The Huddersfield Canal Society and Waterways World Magazine to record the event and gain publicity for the canal.

For the technically minded the full report is set out in the next blog.