Boat Sinking, Lock 9w Huddersfield Narrow Canal, 15th August 2011.


Selection of images below. Higher resolution versions available.


A dramatic incident occurred in August on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Mossley and Stalybridge after a boat came to grief in a lock.

The boat, nb Dizzy, was entering Lock 9w from the short pound above, which was very low. When most of the boat was into the lock chamber, the stern of the boat became stuck on the wooden cill that abuts the top gate. The water in the lock continued to drain away until the bow of the boat took on water and sank.

It is reporteded that one of the hydraulic tail gate paddles was obstructed and would not fully close. BW say this had not been reported to them by other boaters, although one boater has said he reported it a week earlier.

In addition, the lock has considerable leakage around the tail gates. It is understood that the lock drained so rapidly that the crew were not able to rectify the situation in time. Fortunately, no-one was hurt in the incident.

The boat owner arrived and assisted BW ground staff in re-floating the boat. This was done by sealing the front doors and vents and carefully re-filling the lock. The well deck took on water but the boat floated as the levels rose.

Other boaters, on hearing of the incident, were shocked and wondered whether, even with years of experience behind them, they would have been able to save the boat if faced with this situation. Criticism has been aimed at the hydraulic paddles, which can take longer to open or close in an emergency, and which have fiddly anti-vandal locks.

The boat had only recently been re-fitted after being gutted by a fire last year.



Photo 1
Nb Dizzy with bow at bottom of lock chamber


Photo 2
Nb Dizzy had become stuck on the cill entering the lock, which then drained away beneath it.


Photo 3
Nb Dizzy


Photo 4
Nb Dizzy


Photo 5
Nb Dizzy


Photo 6
The doors and vents have been sealed up and BW staff carefully refill the lock.


Photo 7
Slowly the boat re-floats as the water level in the lock rises.


Photo 8
With the lock re-filled, the extent of the water leakage from the tail gates can be seen.