Cromwell Lock facts for kids
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Cromwell Lock is a big navigation lock on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, England. A lock is like a water elevator that helps boats move between different water levels. The first lock here was built by the Trent Navigation Company. They got permission from a special law called an Act of Parliament in 1906. Building started in late 1908.
The lock was made bigger in 1935. They added more gates to it. Then, in 1960, the lock was improved again. It became one very large lock. Now, it can hold eight standard Trent barges at once. This makes it much easier for boats to travel on the river.
Cromwell Weir is right next to the lock. A weir is like a small dam that controls the flow of water. This weir is one of the biggest on the River Trent. It also marks the tidal limit of the river. This means it's the furthest point upstream where the river's water level is still affected by the ocean's tides.
Remembering a Sad Event
On September 28, 1975, a sad event happened near the weir. Ten members of the 131 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, were on a training exercise at night. The weather was very bad. The navigation lights on the weir went out because of a power failure. Their boat accidentally went over the weir.
Today, there is a special memorial garden next to the lock. It has a large stone with the names of the men who died. This garden helps us remember them and reminds everyone about river safety.
Furthest from the Sea
The area around Cromwell Lock and Weir is special for another reason. It is defined by the Ordnance Survey as the closest tidal spot to Coton in the Elms. Coton in the Elms is a village in Derbyshire. It is known for being the furthest point from the sea in all of Great Britain. It is about 72 kilometers (45 miles) away from the sea.
