| Description | Thorne's Lock, Wakefield. Double lock built c.1840.
'Circa 1840. Double locks with centre island. Stone and granite blocks. Northern lock still in working order complete with gates, but southern lock no longer in use'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 30/03/1971. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1242801. 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. PRN 12412
Wakefield Old Lock. PRN 4946
Hirst's Mill. PRN 12949
Thorne's Lock. The subject of this record
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 Thorne's 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. 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. 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. 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 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. |