Struncheon Hill Lock

During the navigation improvements of 1803–1811, a new lock cut was made to bypass a large meandering loop of the River Hull around Struncheon Hill. William Chapman, who looked after the works, built the lock to the standard dimensions of the rest of the navigation – to take vessels 60 ft long, by 14 ft wide. This is a standard known for Yorkshire Keels, however on further investigation it seems the lock was built to longer dimensions and in 2009 Michael Askin took a Royalty Class Narrow Boat Victoria of 71.5 ft in length through the lock – though the boat would only fit pointing upstream due to low water levels not allowing enough depth over the top cill. The lock was originally built as a…