by Bob Hallam
Tuesday saw the Piling Team's crane barge "Samson" being moved to Ebley for piling operations there. Since this was a "minor obstruction" to our Wet Dredging fleet vessels, we tried to coordinate movements of our two mud hoppers "Weft" and "Warp" at around the same time.
There are two very and irritating obstructions which prevent freedom of navigation. A main sewer pipe and a little further on, a gas pipe. Damage to either could cause major inconvenience to Stroud. To get our hoppers past them, they must be almost empty. So we used Dredger No. 5 to lighten them.
Now breasted up (lashed together) into Wallbridge Upper Lock we went - pulled by human muscle power only - and down they went. Same again at Wallbridge Lower. Now the narrow channel. In line astern, onward we hauled, under Lodgemoor Bridge (no lifting required! Through Chestnut Lane (two swings) and into Dudbridge Top Lock.
We were told years ago that "It's not possible to get a 70ft. hopper in these locks, we'll have to shorten them."
With our usual care, it IS possible to get both hoppers in these locks - a little care is needed to open the gates!
After an exhausting but mainly fun morning, the Wet Dredging Team triumphed again, leaving the hoppers secured below Dudbridge for the Tug Team to practice manoeuvring them when they are reunited with Tug "Margaret." (They were all 3 built specifically for the previous owner to operate as a ).
The triumphant remainders! (Our early Team Leader had an appointment he couldn't avoid)
"May your bilges always be dry and your anchor always hold."