Chalmore Lock
Encyclopedia
Chalmore Lock was a lock
and weir
which operated between 1838 and 1883 on the River Thames
in England
near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
and Benson Lock
. It was built as a summer or low water lock. For much of the time the lock was open at both ends and the fall was only 18 inches when the water level reached its lowest in summer. It was described at the time of construction as "a weir and two pairs of gates similar to pound gates to pass boats when the weir is shut in". Its use was demonstrated shortly after its construction when a barge stranded upstream in the shallows was set in motion within five minutes of closing the gates. The lock was provided with a lock keeper and tolls were exacted for its use. However it fell into disrepair, and the Thames Conservancy
was anxious to remove it. Nevertheless from 1874 onwards, the inhabitants of Wallingford campaigned strongly to keep the lock fearing consequences to the town of its removal. In 1881 Thames Conservancy dredged the river below Wallingford Bridge at "enormous cost" and in the winter floating ice swept away much of the weir. In 1883 the lock was finally removed.
by Jerome K. Jerome
. In it the author recollects an experience of rowing a young lady downstream from Benson Lock expecting to reach "Wallingford Lock" in a short time. Unaware that the map is out of date and that the lock has been removed he and she experience increasing alarm as they continue on the 6 mile stretch in the darkening evening to end at Cleeve Lock.
William Staniland included "The lay of Chalmore Lock" among his Songs after Sunset in 1884.
51°35′42.5"N 1°07′16.5"W
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
and weir
Weir
A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a river or stream. In most cases weirs take the form of a barrier across the river that causes water to pool behind the structure , but allows water to flow over the top...
which operated between 1838 and 1883 on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
History
Chalmore Lock was built in 1838 by the Thames Navigation Commissioners at a place called Chalmore Hole between Cleeve LockCleeve Lock
Cleeve Lock is a lock on the River Thames, in Oxfordshire, England. It is located just upstream of Streatley on the same side of the river. The village of Cleeve is on the opposite bank near Goring ....
and Benson Lock
Benson Lock
Benson Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England, close to Benson, Oxfordshire but on the opposite bank of the river. The first pound lock here was built by the Thames Navigation Commission in 1788 and it was replaced by the present masonry lock in 1870...
. It was built as a summer or low water lock. For much of the time the lock was open at both ends and the fall was only 18 inches when the water level reached its lowest in summer. It was described at the time of construction as "a weir and two pairs of gates similar to pound gates to pass boats when the weir is shut in". Its use was demonstrated shortly after its construction when a barge stranded upstream in the shallows was set in motion within five minutes of closing the gates. The lock was provided with a lock keeper and tolls were exacted for its use. However it fell into disrepair, and the Thames Conservancy
Thames Conservancy
The Thames Conservancy was a historical body responsible for the management of the River Thames in England. It was founded in 1857, initially replacing the jurisdiction of the City of London up to Staines and later taking responsibility for the whole river from Cricklade in Wiltshire to the sea at...
was anxious to remove it. Nevertheless from 1874 onwards, the inhabitants of Wallingford campaigned strongly to keep the lock fearing consequences to the town of its removal. In 1881 Thames Conservancy dredged the river below Wallingford Bridge at "enormous cost" and in the winter floating ice swept away much of the weir. In 1883 the lock was finally removed.
Literature and the media
Chalmore Lock gives rise to an anecdote in Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat
Three Men in a Boat ,The Penguin edition punctuates the title differently: Three Men in a Boat: To Say Nothing of the Dog! published in 1889, is a humorous account by Jerome K...
by Jerome K. Jerome
Jerome K. Jerome
Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for the humorous travelogue Three Men in a Boat.Jerome was born in Caldmore, Walsall, England, and was brought up in poverty in London...
. In it the author recollects an experience of rowing a young lady downstream from Benson Lock expecting to reach "Wallingford Lock" in a short time. Unaware that the map is out of date and that the lock has been removed he and she experience increasing alarm as they continue on the 6 mile stretch in the darkening evening to end at Cleeve Lock.
William Staniland included "The lay of Chalmore Lock" among his Songs after Sunset in 1884.
External links
51°35′42.5"N 1°07′16.5"W