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Fall of the middle level sluice on the west bank of the Ouse, about four miles from Lynn... 1862. Creator: Unknown
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Fall of the middle level sluice on the west bank of the Ouse, about four miles from Lynn... 1862. Creator: Unknown
Fall of the middle level sluice on the west bank of the Ouse, about four miles from Lynn, Norfolk, 1862....tidal water found its way under the front apron of this sluice, and...before eleven o'clock the two arches gave way...The commissioners have been making great exertions...to make a dam across the main drain...but up to the present time, although many hundred men and horses have been employed, nothing has yet been accomplished to stop the flow of the tide...it is conjectured that from 10, 000 to 20, 000 acres of rich arable land will be entirely submerged...Such a calamity has not befallen this part of the fens and marsh land for centuries, and thousands of people will be ruined...It is said that the whole country around looks like a vast sea...This sluice was designed by Messrs. Walker and Burgess, engineers...and was built by Mr. Brogden...Mr. Stephen Ballard being the resident engineer. The New Drain, which is eleven miles long, was also laid out by Messrs. Walker and Burgess...The work has been looked upon as one of the great engineering works in the fens, and the expense of rebuilding the sluice, bridges, making embankment across main drain, repairing breaches, making compensation for damage done, is laid at £ 100, 000. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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Media ID 35122659
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Bad Weather Civil Engineering Destruction Dramatic Engineering Environment Fenlands Fens Flood Flooded Flooding Floods Floodwater Norfolk England Uk River Ouse Stone Bridge The Fens Ouse
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the dramatic scene of the "Fall of the middle level sluice on the west bank of the Ouse, about four miles from Lynn, Norfolk" in 1862. The image showcases a significant engineering failure that resulted in devastating consequences for the surrounding area.
The photograph depicts a once sturdy sluice now collapsed and submerged under tidal water. The front apron of this crucial structure gave way before eleven o'clock, causing two arches to crumble under immense pressure. This catastrophic event has led to an impending calamity, with estimations suggesting that between 10,000 to 20,000 acres of fertile arable land will be entirely submerged.
The impact is not limited solely to agriculture; thousands of people face ruin as their livelihoods are threatened by this unforeseen disaster. As far as the eye can see, what was once lush marshland and fens now resembles a vast sea.
Designed by esteemed engineers Messrs. Walker and Burgess and constructed by Mr. Brogden under resident engineer Mr. Stephen Ballard's supervision, this sluice was considered one of the great engineering works in these parts. Additionally, Messrs. Walker and Burgess were responsible for laying out an impressive eleven-mile-long New Drain nearby.
The magnitude of rebuilding efforts required is staggering: repairing breaches, constructing new sluices and bridges while making embankments across main drains all come at an estimated expense exceeding £100,000.
This remarkable print serves as both a historical record and a testament to human vulnerability against nature's forces. It reminds us how fragile our achievements can be when faced with natural disasters beyond our control - leaving behind profound impacts on communities affected for generations to come.
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