Restoration of Snakeholme Lock 2001

(The top gates were replaced in May 2000 and the paddle gear was fitted on 5th November 2001. Fitting of new bottom gates started on 5th November 2001, this work should have started in Spring 2001 but had to be delayed due to Foot and Mouth restrictions.)

Snakeholme lock was in the late c18th the first of the four locks to be built on the Driffield Canal, the River/Navigation was tidal up to Snakeholme. Snakeholme lock was a staircase lock (two locks) allowing keels to enter the Driffield canal on low tides. It also had a swing bridge at the tail of the top lock, the swing bridge is at present a fixed bridge. At some time it the future the fixed bridge will have to be replaced by a swing bridge to allow craft with air drafts over 7 feet to use the lock (present head room below the fixed bridge is approximately 7ft).

Proposed improvements of the Navigation of the River Hull and of the projected branches to Corps Landing and Frodingham Bridge as recommended by Mr Chapman. Were survey by Sam Dickinson September 1800, which included the building of Strunchion Hill lock. Today Strunchion Hill lock is the head of Navigations the tidal section. Snakehome lock will for future use of the Driffield Navigation only require to be a single chamber lock.

Dredging the bottom lock 19th October 2001

The lock's chamber nearly drained, steel dam in place with the dredging deposited on the right hand bank.

Snakelhome lock bottom chamber

Visible in the mud (fore ground) is the original swing bridge turntable casting found in the bottom of the lock chamber. This is the only remaining turntable that is more or less in one piece and should be saved. Possibly to be displayed along with the Crane at Riverhead Driffield.

Completion of the Top Gates 5th November 2001

Paddle gear fitted to the top gates.

Top gates with paddle gear.

Top gates now with paddle gear, now ready for use once the stop planks are removed.

Fitting the Bottom Lock Gates 5th & 6th November 2001

Preparation work before the bottom gates could be fitted. Fitting a new Anchor plate, the coping stone had been lifted by a tree which had over the years grown under the stone and snapped the Anchor plate casting.

The new gates arrive on 6th November 2001

The first gate is fitted ...

... and located first time.

Second gate fitted

Balance beam fitted to the second gate

Second balance beam being lowered into position, this beam could not be fitted as the Anchor plate was found to be cracked in two places. Anchor plate was replaced on 6th November.

Sill just visible with old paddle gear found in the silt. Sill requires replacing.

Finding the sill.

Gates in Place 7th November 2001

Looking down the lock chamber, note the tree has been removed from the lock side (left).

Looking up the lock chamber

Completed gate with paddle gear.

Additonal Pictures taken in the lock Chamber

Looking under the bridge into the bottom lock chamber.

Looking down the lock from the top sill from behind the fixed stop planks.

Clearing out at the top chamber bottom sill.

Looking up the top lock chamber.

Up against the top sill looking through the fixed stop planks at the top gates.

The top gates viewed from the sill.

Snakeholme lock re-opened on the 18th April 2003

Boats waiting in the bottom chamber. When the Navigation was tidal up to this point Snakeholme was a staircase lock. The bottom chamber no longer has gates fitted.