| Catalogue Finding Number | WYHER/12412 |
| Office record is held at | Historical Environment Record, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service |
| Held Outside WYAS | THE RECORD DESCRIBED IS HELD AND ADMINISTERED BY THE WEST YORKSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD PLEASE CONTACT THEM ON 0113 535 0157 IF YOU WISH TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THIS RECORD |
| Title | Locks, Basin and Docks at Fall Ings Lock on Calder and Hebble Navigation |
| Description | Fall Ings Lock. Locks, docks and basins constructed c.1780.
'Circa 1780 following Act 9 George III 1769. Surveyor to the works John Smeaton. Fairly large elliptical basin and narrow western channel to 3 small docks. Lock to east. Walls of coursed equated stone with large flat copings. Some patching of brickwork in the lock and outer walls. Lock gates and machinery complete and functioning'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 01/02/1979. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1242958. Web site accessed 11/11/2013).
Archaeological Services WYAS undertook a programme of archaeological recording and appraisal in advance of a flood defence scheme on and around the River Calder in 2001. The work was based upon a specification prepared by the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service's Advisory Service.
The sites which form the subject of the resulting report comprise:
Fall Ings Lock. The subject of this record
Wakefield Old Lock. See PRN 4946
Hirst's Mill. See PRN 12949
Thorne's Lock. PRN 12950
The photographic images produced by the event are held by WYAAS. The resulting report, which is also held by WYAAS contains annotated drawings in addition to a description and historic background of the above features. The section of the report regarding Fall Ings Lock is summarised below:
The growth of the West Riding clothing industry and the fact that Leeds and Wakefield had thriving markets required an improvement in communications. An Act was passed in 1699 that enabled sections of the river to be enlarged or straightened and for cuts to be made to bypass dams and weirs. The Wakefield Old Lock (PRN 4946) was constructed during this time to allow access to an area which became known as Navigation Yard. This contained company headquarter offices, warehouses and granaries. By 1703 the Aire and Calder Navigation Company had sufficient locks in place to enable navigation as far as Wakefield Bridge. None of the early 18th century timber structures survive. In the next 50 years improvements were made with some locks replaced in stone. In 1754 John Smeaton was engaged to extend the navigation network westwards, surveying the waterways from Sowerby Bridge to Wakefield. The Calder and Hebble Company was formed in 1758 and built a system of locks which started the Fall Ings Lock. Many warehouse, coal staithes, wharfs and maltings were constructed along Thornes Lane and on the river bank after this time. Hirst's Mill (RPN 12949) is an example from the 19th century. The most impressive building is the main warehouse of the Calder and Hebble Company (PRN 12951). Improvements continued to be made. Much of what is now visible of the navigation network is late 18th or early 19th century.
The report then presents a summary of the map and documentary evidence.
The length of the Fall Ings Lock from river to where it joins the basin is c.50m (40m between the gates). The width at its narrowest point is 5.5m. It is a double length lock, enlarged in the mid 20th century to take coal trains. The construction at the river approach is of alternate bands of massive ashlar blocks and bricks. The right hand of the approach is of smooth construction and is surmounted by a modern steel gantry. Remnants of wooden moorings survive along the bank of the river at this side. The wooden lock gates were made at Stanley Ferry in 1994, and are the heaviest and largest hand operated gates on the navigation. Beyond the lock gate recesses is a 20th century steel footbridge with 19th century abutments. At the centre point is concrete blocking which marks the position of oak gates installed in 1990. These gates lead into a basin with a width of over 20m. Steel capstans are regularly spaced on either side of the lock as are regularly spaced mortises set in the walls. |
| Date | 21st century |
| Extent | contact the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service for information on what is available |
| Level | Item |