waterways from the air
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waterways from the air
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Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation P A P E R M I L L L O C K Lock number: 7 Height: 6 ft
Information copyright Chelmer Canal Trust Ltd, reproduced with kind permission:
"This is the half way point in the journey along the Chelmer and Blackwater navigation from Chelmsford to the coast. The navigation has 12 locks and six bridges all dating from the 1790's. It was completed in 1797 and enabled goods, mostly coal, bricks and timber, to be carried by barge instead of horse drawn wagons from the sea to Chelmsford. The old millstream leading off to the left creates two islands. In 1792 two mills stood on the lower island, one grinding mica as part of the paper making process and the other corn. On the upper island stood a small brick building (now the office of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Company) which was a bothy complete with bunks for bargees to stay overnight. Opposite, next to the towpath, are the former stables for the horses. Just upstream you can see the old clapper gates, designed for containing livestock. The lock chambers are built to a larger specification than on most other canals, thus enabling broader barges requiring only around two feet to navigate the numerous shallows. The balance beams and gates were made on site from locally grown oak and elm. Today this attractive site is popular with anglers, boaters and walkers and is a base for pleasure boat trips. From here you can follow the towpath, which is a public right of way, to Chelmsford or Heybridge Basin."
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Pictures
The weir at Paper Mill Lock, with boats in the marina above it - the lock is to the left
Paper Mill Lock with the team rooms in the old stables to the left and the old, brick built, bargee's bothy to the right. Moored above the lock to the left is "Victoria", Paper Mill Cruises trip boat. PHOTOGRAPHY from www.aerialcloseup.co.uk We will be adding pictures over the coming months - please check back regularly. Pictures are linked from the mileage charts on the maps. All pictures are copyright Aerial Close-Up Limited and may not be reproduced without permission. Copies will be be available soon in high quality, framed photographic prints and water colour prints.
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