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Tree trimming just outside Cromford Wharf. C.1973. Desmond Stoker on bucket. Note thickness of dried mud just outside winding hole. (Webmaster's Note: It's a good job the Health & Safety Executive weren't around..............) 
Bridge 1 as found after initial clearance and before big excavator reached it. (circa 1973). (ADS)
Wriggly tin dam immediately west of Bridge 1. This retained water successfully in Cromford Wharf and the first 250 yards while we went through Bridge 1 with digger. After that the stop planks were inserted under the bridge. (ADS)
The 9 ton Smith 14 excavator having just arrived. It was driven across the fields above the canal and into the canal bed. Entry point is behind. (ADS)
Approx 1973. Smith 14 approaches Bridge 1 (ADS)
Smith 14 approaches Bridge 1. Simon Stoker driving, Toby Banks assisting. (ADS)
Smith 14 excavator having passed through Bridge 1 (1973/4) (ADS)
Bed of canal cleared by the Smith 14 driving along the bottom. Mud disposed on both sides. (ADS)
Smith 14 en route to High Peak. The bed was too soft to drive on so we used the towpath instead. This reduced the reach of the bucket. (ADS)
High Peak, looking east. As found when Smith 14 got there. We had de-watered some time before, hence extra weeds. C.1974. (B&W from ADS transparency.)
Immediately west of Bridge 2. Steep bank required many sleepers. Considerable mud caused by outflows of slurry from Pisani's. (ADS)
As above, looking towards Bridge 2. It was possible to walk right across the canal without getting wet. (ADS)
Smith14 having just driven over iron aqueduct (very hairy). Simon Stoker driving. [This was the subject of intense scrutiny and calculation by ourselves, DCC and BR. We had to do it when no trains were running just in case. The bottom was lined with limestone and then 2 layers of sleepers. It was probably one of the more hairy moments of my life!]
Immediately east of the iron (railway) aqueduct. Using the hydraulic take-off on the machine to power a jack hammer with piling head. This is the first of a great many 4ft (?) steel piles to be inserted.
East of iron Aqueduct - Restored section which has breached several times since original construction. Piles driven in down LHS. Picture taken at almost the point of overtopping.
25th February 1989 immediately on the morning the canal overtopped. Approx 200yds East of iron aqueduct. Small boy is my son, David. Only the new steel piling installed in late 1988 prevented a complete disaster.
The OTHER point at which the water overtopped the bank on 25th February 1989. This was about 350 yards east of the first point, roughly 300 yards west of the tunnel. No steel piles were inserted here, with the result that the towpath nearly went completely.
Dredger about 150 yds east of iron aqueduct. Canal drained as we were repairing a bad leak.
Little leak in towpath near iron aqueduct. Stopped with a few piles and backfilled.
Long-reach Smalley working just above Bridge 2
Looking west out of Gregory Tunnel. No stop plank groves were ever installed and we thought it expedient to do so. Behind is a wriggly tin dam with the dredger floating on water retained.
Dredger emerges from Gregory Tunnel into Gregory Dam. Considerable rubbish in mouth of tunnel made machine ride up on its wheels.
Floating machine struggles to exit Gregory Tunnel and start on the winding hole behind.
Just west of Gregory Tunnel. Smith 14 literally floating on raft of brushwood with sleepers on top. Mud was at least 8ft deep. Like operating on a vast jelly.
Work on installing stop plank grooves and sill at Gregory Tunnel.
New stop plank grooves having been installed at Gregory Tunnel - this was the finished east end.
Restoration finished, west end of Gregory Tunnel.
Floating dredger clearing Gregory Dam on the way to Leashaw
Gregory Dam after restoration. Looking east.
Dredger working close to Leashaw Bridge
Restored section up to Leashaw Bridge
Floating machine near spillway, about 200 yards east of "Gregory Nip" (stop plank narrows)
Grattons Bridge [?] near the Naturalist's house. Smalley long-reach tracked machine on loan. Lid removed and steel beams under bridge for access. This machine cleared much of the channel between Whatstandwell and Ambergate. (Photo supplied by Smalley Excavators)
Early 1970s working party, usually to clear the towpath. Van is my father's motor caravan used to provide refreshments. (ADS)
Original long-reach Smalley excavator converted to floating dredger by manufacturer. Very effective. Pontoon made narrower than their standard @6ft 10in to get into drydock and through tunnel. |
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