TNC On Tour 2003 Page 5

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The Tuesday Night Club on Tour

Tour 2003

5 - Broad Cut to Slaithwaite including Dewsbury Arm. Calder and Hebble Navigation, Huddersfield Broad Canal and Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Monday 23rd June 2003

Last night Ken Ketchup came up and introduced himself. He was also having a drink in the Navigation and moors just below the pub and is secretary of the Norman Owners club. A chat of newsgroupy things ensued.
We awoke around 07:00ish and Neil started off at 07:30.

Disaster struck at Broad Cut Top Lock!!!

Neil was not being observant while drying down rear cockpit and caught the tiller under the bottom gate walkway. It was a real goody, first to go was the tiller pin, then the tiller bar. Eventually the weld failed at the bottom of the rams head to the boss and Neil was left holding the detached rams head. We were really stuck seeing as Neil had NOT put the arc welder on Earnest.

In fact it was on board all the time - hidden in long term storage under the fixed double!!! Of course any repairs with this low powered welder would had to have been redone.

Yet more disasters then followed in the attempts to stick it back in a temporary fashion, so we could make our Friday Standedge booking. A welded repair could then easily be done, the swan neck taken away if necessary.
R&D were foned and put on standby for a call out with Ray's powerful infernal combustion powered welder on a trolley. Robinson's at Dewsbury Basin (now Calder Valley Boat Centre) were also foned and they said they could do the work if we could get there. First the shaft of the tiller pin was attempted to be straightened.....it snapped! (this has some sentimental value as it was the low height one off Beatty - but we do have spare low height one)
The tiller bar was straightened, (using the scaffold pole and a lock gate), still attached to the rams head, at the same time as straightening the only bent bit of the swan neck - the turned down end. The end is now straight, but the tiller bar is somewhat bu&&ered.
Kit on board included an angle grinder, electric drill, sharp drills, long 10mm stainless steel bolt and tap to match. First a hole was drilled through the inner face of the non-welded on end of the rams head, then a flat ground on the other side, so the stainless 10mm (Head size) bolt would fit through. The drill of course snapped when it reached the case hardened outer of the rams head, so the flat was also used to tap out the end of the drill bit. The rams head was offered up and all seemed straight, leaving the broken welds slightly open at the top. The start of the hole into the clamped on boss then followed - this could not be that deep as the drill was not long enough.
This went well, the rams head removed, then the hole was continued, lining up by eye. This also went well and it was decided to drill through the boss to shaft interface to enable the hole to be tapped to a decent length. The trapping went well, using "Olivio" butter as threading lubricant. Just as hole was nearly threaded the next disaster then happened - the tap broke - thus jamming boss onto shaft!
At this point rescue came in the disguise as a helpful couple on a 45ft NB - "Joleen" from Sowerby Bridge and they offered to breast up and take us up the 3 locks and Dewesbury Arm to Calder Valley Boat Centre. We finally set off again at 10:00.
Is was a slow four hour slog to Dewsbury, meeting a rather annoying BW Donny work boat on TWO occasions - what do they think the Calder and Hebble is - a wide Canal :-)
We soon found Gordon at Calder Valley and he tried to shift the rams head boss, but to no avail and said we could then try to shear it after the rams head was back on, also testing his welding. The welding went well and the tap did indeed shear after the third whack of the rudder against the base plate.
The damaged thread was soon cleared and a longer bolt found and the whole assembly soon bolted up. A reasonable cost was agreed and we were off at tout vitesse at 14:00.
During the welding process Martin Clark and Peter Wright went and did a large shop in the nearby ASDA. A trouble free run to Huddersfield ensued. We met up with Joleen again, as they had stopped for lunch. We left the Calder and Hebble at Cooper Bridge at 16:40, waving goodbye to Joleen and we soon got stuck into the vastly improved Huddersfield Broad Canal and absolutely bombed along.
We passed onto the HNC at 18:45, but there were problems above Lock 1E - low water levels. We struggled to Commercial Street Bridge, then ground to a halt. Martin Wilson was still off and was directed to the new locked in Lock 2E by Martin Clark - he knew the way over a wall.

The lock is in fact reached by going through the driveway of a block of apartments off Milford Street, then jumping down a fairly high wall by their bin store.

After a while a bloke walking down the towpath gladly reported that he had sent Martin Wilson to "the lock", which was of course Lock 3E. Some confusion in the Orange network then ensued, so Martin Clark had to walk the plank and sort matters out. We finally got moving from Lock 3E again at 20:00 after negotiating Bates and Sellars cut and cover tunnels, which you DO need a tunnel light on for! A VERY large trolley reef by Wickes entrance was rolled over.
A magical evening then occurred - boating in the dusk and at night. No problems all the way up to Slaithwaite, just above Lock 21E, on the Waterpoint..............well only one bit of trouble, the "speed bump", by the large security lights below Lock 21E............we dunno what this was!

These moorings are in fact designated Long Term, but there was no one on them when we passed through.

The last 5 locks were done in the dark, arriving at 23:30. We had still not eaten, so the two Martins went straight out to find a Chinese or Indian takeaway. Come 12:00, Neil and Peter assumed that they had obviously found something......or were lost!
The two heroes returned at 00:15 with a large cardboard box full of stuff from the "Zam Zam" Indian. Reasonable quality, with real chilli's used, not powder. We eventually expired at 14:00....with still an earlyish start to get to Lock 32E (BW assistance from here) , ahead of the "crowds"

The crippled NB Earnest is breasted up to NB Joleen. Calder and Hebble Navigation above Broad Cut.

The breasted pair make a reasonable entrance into the Figure of Three Locks. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Figure of Three Locks. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

BW Bod oiling the paddle gear at Figure of Three Locks. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Martin Wilson gets to grips with the rather oversize TNC handspikes. Figure of Three Locks. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Junction with Dewsbury Arm - to right under bridge. Thornhill Double Locks straight on. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Nearing the end of the Dewsbury Arm, Savile Town Basin just round the corner. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Dewsbury Arm, Savile Town Basin. Our rescuers on NB Joleen depart company. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Neil's attempt at tapping hole for emergency bolt repair...........while going along!

Gordon gets stuck into removing the rams neck boss, something that proved impossible, so rams head was welded on in situ, then used to break the broken off tap!

Earnest stuck in Savile Town Basin - Calder Valley Cruising Company. Dewsbury Arm, Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Leaving Savile Town Basin. Dewsbury Arm, Calder and Hebble Navigation.

The only road bridge on the Dewsbury Arm, Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Thornhill Double Locks, Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Greenwood Lock. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

NB Earnest and NB Joleen pose below Cooper Bridge Lock. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Cooper Bridge Flood Lock onto the River Calder. Calder and Hebble Navigation.

We have just come down the stub of the River Calder to get to the entrance to the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Coming of the River Calder to get to the entrance to the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Lock One, Cooper Bridge. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Railway bridge after Lock One, Cooper Bridge. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Colne Bridge Lock No 2. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Colne Bridge No 3. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Disused railway viaduct below Ladygrave Lock No 3. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Ladygrave Lock No 3. The disused chemical factory is being knocked down. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Ladygrave Lock No 3. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Longlands Lock No 4. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Reading Lock No 6. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Fieldhouse Green Lock No 7.Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Looking up at Falls Lock No 8. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Looking back at Fieldhouse Green Lock No 7. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Falls Lock No 8. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Top Lock - Red Doles (Fartown Green) Lock No 9. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Top Lock - Red Doles (Fartown Green) Lock. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Hillhouse Lane Bridge No 12. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Rubbish incinerator plant. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Looking up towards Leeds Road Bridge No 13. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Leeds Road Bridge No 13. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Turnbridge Loco Lift bridge No 17. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Sainsbury's Huddersfield. The moorings outside are now deep. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Turnbridge Loco Lift bridge No 17 and Sainsbury's moorings. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

The Aspley foody pub, beside Aspley Basin. Huddersfield. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

The Aspley pub and Aspley Basin. Huddersfield. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Firth Street Bridge No 20. Aspley Basin. Huddersfield. Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Firth Street Bridge No 20. Huddersfield. Huddersfield Canals.

Huddersfield University. Huddersfield Canals.

Huddersfield University is now in the old mill buildings beside Lock 1E of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Lock 1E, Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Commercial Street Bridge No 21. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Old Lock 2E has been knocked through to keep the canal lower, enabling it to tunnel under Bates Works. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The lowered canal looking down from the undercut Queen Street Bridge - Bates Tunnel starts just after this bridge. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Emerging from Bates Tunnel into Lock 2E of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Lock 2E of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Entering Lock 3E of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking back from Lock 3E into Sellers Tunnel. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Lock 3E of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Passing by Wickes, in the realigned channel. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

About to go under Longroyd Bridge No 25 and into Longroyd Bridge Lock No 4E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Rather atmospheric picture under Longroyd Bridge No 25 into Longroyd Bridge Lock No 4E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Longroyd Bridge Lock No 4E. Springwood Railway Bridge No 26. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Longroyd Bridge Lock No 4E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Going under Springwood Railway Bridge No 26. Paddock Foot Lock No 5E beyond. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Springwood Railway Bridge No 26. Paddock Foot Lock No 5E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking back at Springwood Railway Bridge No 26. Paddock Foot Lock No 5E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Mark Bottom Bridge No 30. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Mark Bottom Lock 6E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Leaving Mark Bottom Lock No 6E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Fountain Lock No 7E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Fountain Lock No 7E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking back at Fountain Lock No 7E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Fountain Lock No 7E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking up at Armitage Bridge No 31 and Roller Lock No 8E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Roller Lock No 8E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking back at Roller Lock No 8E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Isis Lock No 9E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking back from Isis Lock No 9E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Isis Lock No 9E. Whirley Bottom Bridge No 32 beyond. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The nicely luxuriant Spring Garden Lock No 10E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Spring Garden Lock No 10E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Spring Garden Lock No 10E. Looking up at Library Lock No 11E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Rough Holme Lock No 12E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Looking down from Rough Holme Lock No 12E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Rough Holme Lock No 12E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Ramsden Highest Lock No 14E. Yes!..............the light nearly has gone! Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Ramsden Highest Lock No 14E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Titanic Mill and Lock 16E. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Titanic Mill. Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Night boating! Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Neil has his teeth cleaned by SCSI the mad parrot.

The Tour Continues...

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