Cromwell Lock
Encyclopedia
Cromwell Lock is a large navigation lock on the River Trent
in Nottinghamshire
, and marks the tidal limit
of the river. The first lock to be built on the site was constructed by the Trent Navigation Company, having been authorised by an Act of Parliament
obtained in 1906. Construction began in late 1908, as soon as the Company had raised sufficient capital. The lock was extended in 1935, when an extra pair of gates were added downstream of the main lock, effectively forming a second lock. The lock was further improved in 1960, when the two locks were made into one, capable of holding eight standard Trent barges. The weir
by the side of the lock is one of the largest on the Trent.
On the 28th of September 1975, during an eighty mile, night navigation exercise in extreme weather conditions, ten members of the 131 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers were killed after a power failure caused the weir lights to go out and their boat went over the lock.
Cromwell Lock is defined by the Ordnance Survey
as the nearest tidal location to Coton in the Elms
in Derbyshire
, which is the furthest point from the sea in Great Britain, 72 kilometres (44.7 mi) away.
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, and marks the tidal limit
Tide
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun and the rotation of the Earth....
of the river. The first lock to be built on the site was constructed by the Trent Navigation Company, having been authorised by an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
obtained in 1906. Construction began in late 1908, as soon as the Company had raised sufficient capital. The lock was extended in 1935, when an extra pair of gates were added downstream of the main lock, effectively forming a second lock. The lock was further improved in 1960, when the two locks were made into one, capable of holding eight standard Trent barges. The weir
Weir
A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a river or stream. In most cases weirs take the form of a barrier across the river that causes water to pool behind the structure , but allows water to flow over the top...
by the side of the lock is one of the largest on the Trent.
On the 28th of September 1975, during an eighty mile, night navigation exercise in extreme weather conditions, ten members of the 131 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers were killed after a power failure caused the weir lights to go out and their boat went over the lock.
Cromwell Lock is defined by the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
as the nearest tidal location to Coton in the Elms
Coton in the Elms
Coton in the Elms is a village and parish in the English county of Derbyshire. It is located five miles south of Burton upon Trent.South east of the village is Church Flatts Farm, which is defined by the Ordnance Survey as the farthest point from the sea in Great Britain.-History:Coton is mentioned...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, which is the furthest point from the sea in Great Britain, 72 kilometres (44.7 mi) away.