Sinking closes Huddersfield Narrow

THE Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been closed for the past two days owing to a narrowboat sunk in Lock 1w at Ashton.

It is understood that it became lodged on the front gates, and sank as it tipped as the water was drained from the lock, with the crew working the paddles unaware of what was occurring, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Low gates

The front gates are particularly low on this lock, as can be seen from Mike Bolton's photograph, and when we cruised it last year there was a boat with its bow fast on the front gates, and it was only the quick intervention of Martin Clark, who was cruising with us at the time that prevented that boat from sinking.

In this case however, it is understood that something was stuck around the prop shaft of the boat preventing the propeller turning, and thus the boat being reversed.

Pump water

The crew escaped up the lock ladder, and though British Waterways workers attempted to pump water from the boat to get it to float, they were unsuccessful, and the boat is still there.

Boaters coming down the waterway are being stopped at Stalybridge whilst those wishing to ascend are waiting at Portland Basin.