Bristol (Part 2)
Bristol continued:
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The water level in the huge 80 acre "floating harbour" is dynamic, and needs to be continually controlled by the HM team. Will Stanley, one of the Deputy Harbour Masters, showed us how he and his team continually monitor and adjust the level of the fresh water harbour using the massive sluice gates, designed by Brunel, to divert excess water back into the River Avon which runs parallel to the long harbour. He was once asked by Bristol police during a bomb scare if he could "please move SS Great Britain"!!
This critical control of water depth makes Bristol harbour unique. When Will took over the job he was told "I would prefer you to "flood" the harbour than "lose" the harbour". The reason being that not only are hundreds of static boats "plumbed into" the harbour wall, but if the water level dropped the 4 metres it is held at, the engineers are not sure whether or not the foundation walls of the adjacent buildings would collapse!
Apart from looking after all historic ships, sailing clubs, sea scouts, pleasure boats, house boats, works boats, barges and visiting yachts, the HM team also look after three swing bridges. The smallest one, Prince Street is operated by hand! Built in 1879 and using hydraulic power from a massive water filled tank, called an accumulator which is raised inside a tower, the bridge is swung using cables and levers. Fiona and I were lucky enough to operate the bridge to allow a boat to pass.
Bristol Harbour is a beautiful place. Clean, well kept and lots to see. We urge you to visit it. Thank you to Will and all his team for hosting us.
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The water level in the huge 80 acre "floating harbour" is dynamic, and needs to be continually controlled by the HM team. Will Stanley, one of the Deputy Harbour Masters, showed us how he and his team continually monitor and adjust the level of the fresh water harbour using the massive sluice gates, designed by Brunel, to divert excess water back into the River Avon which runs parallel to the long harbour. He was once asked by Bristol police during a bomb scare if he could "please move SS Great Britain"!!
This critical control of water depth makes Bristol harbour unique. When Will took over the job he was told "I would prefer you to "flood" the harbour than "lose" the harbour". The reason being that not only are hundreds of static boats "plumbed into" the harbour wall, but if the water level dropped the 4 metres it is held at, the engineers are not sure whether or not the foundation walls of the adjacent buildings would collapse!
Apart from looking after all historic ships, sailing clubs, sea scouts, pleasure boats, house boats, works boats, barges and visiting yachts, the HM team also look after three swing bridges. The smallest one, Prince Street is operated by hand! Built in 1879 and using hydraulic power from a massive water filled tank, called an accumulator which is raised inside a tower, the bridge is swung using cables and levers. Fiona and I were lucky enough to operate the bridge to allow a boat to pass.
Bristol Harbour is a beautiful place. Clean, well kept and lots to see. We urge you to visit it. Thank you to Will and all his team for hosting us.