West Beck in flood
Photographs of a Cruise up West Beck on 4th June 2000 after the heavy rain fall over Yorkshire which caused flooding in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.
The Navigation survived the floods; note the high water levels and the overcast sky. West Beck is the most picturesque section of the presently navigable
sections of the Navigation. Boats above 50 foot in length should contact Bethell's Bridge Boat Club before considering a cruise up this section. The scenery
and abundance of fish can be best appreciated when cruised at the slowest possible speed. Normally the water is crystal clear not the murky brown it was on
this occasion. The River Hull joins West Beck at Corps Landing.
The foot bridge at the entrance to West Beck, this bridge was installed by Humberside Council in its dying days. The bridge gives access to the public foot path which runs from Bethell's Bridge to Brigham Bridge.
On entering West Beck (just beyond the foot bridge) the high water levels were visible. At this point the Beck was within inches of overflowing the flood banking.
An ex Humber Pilot Boat (No. 3) now owned by the DNAA, moored at the end of West Beck.
West Beck is a meandering section of the Navigation winding its way through the countryside up to Corps Landing were it joins the River Hull. The cows come to great us!
The Beck meandering along towards Corps Landing.
Looking North over the fields, The Church tower at North Froddingham can be seen to the right of the farm buildings with the sail of a Scow also visible. The Scow is on the main Navigation
Approaching one of the sharp bends, the water to the left is a drainage dyke at the level of the original course of the River Hull.
The navigation goes left then follows the tree line to the right before turning left again up to Corps Landing.
John surveys his motley crew with Chris at the wheel.
I see no ships! only the dog at my feet.
Just below Corps Landing, the hanger visible on the left hand bank.
This structure is known to boaters as the "hanger" it is in fact a hanger for a light air craft owned by the landowner, the air strip is just visible between the roof and the crop in the field. Adjacent to the hanger is the best place to turn, putting your stern into the weeds on the opposite bank (it's soft mud) and let the flow push your bows round.
The approach to Corps Landing (Head of Navigation), the hanger to the left. The name coming from the Plaque when the corpses were shipped form the landing down the River Hull.
Corps Landing the head of the navigation, the landing was originally cut in under the trees to the left. This is the Head of Navigation allowed by the Act of Parliament 1767. You have the right to navigate to this point but not to moor, do not attempt to navigate beyond this point, go astern back to the hanger (see previous frames) to turn.