328. How do you move boats 75 feet uphill?

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Another episode of David doing what David does best! Even though I'm not likely to ever visit in person I find mini documentaries like this to be incredibly interesting. Thanks David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Wow, thank you!

[@bennysh]

Never say never!

[@stco2426]

Great comment. Completely agree.

[@theodorrodriguez1800]

I love watching David do what David does best, hes great isnt he!

[@ilox11]

I agree completely, Garrett, I started watching David many years ago and through his works, and others, I have enjoyed learning about these wonderful canals and the role they played in the Industrial Revolution and onwards. David's production values have been copied many times, and some excellent copiers there have been. But David still stands out as the Emeritus Professor of 'How to Make a Canal Vlog'. What's that old catchphrase, 'Often copied, never beaten' or something along those lines?

[@peronik349]

There are marvels of engineering carried out in past centuries such as this set of English locks. The people interviewed here have every reason to be proud to present this site to us, it is indeed magnificent. I know of a similar site in the south of France near the town of Beziers on the "canal du midi": "The 9 locks of Fonceranes". These locks allow you to overcome a drop of 21.50 m (71 ft), over a length of 300 m (980 ft). This site, slightly older than the English site, was inaugurated in 1697 (under the reign of Louis XIV) And a few hundred meters further a canal bridge (built in 1858, also a marvel of engineering) spanning the Orb River allows boats to cross it 12 meters above the level of the river

[@iainbrooks6558]

"...the best way to keep them in operation is to keep them in use [....] in line with its original purpose". Thanks again, David.

[@ligametis]

In most places such structure wouldn't be in use. UK has a strange love for recreational use of canals with all those boat homes.

[@warrenjones744]

The whole canal system in the UK is truly an amazing thing and the fact that it has been for the most part kept it in working condition all these years is even more interesting

[@rickkearn7100]

David, you do a great service with these historical and technical episodes not only to your fellows in the UK narrowboating community, but to the entire nation as well. Arguably, you are documenting a way of life and also a lesson in community which is exemplary around the planet. That is simply outstanding as is your channel, Cruising The Cut! Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's extremely kind, thank you.

[@SafetyThirdRC]

One month on a narrow boat in the UK for holiday is my #1 best dream. It's all David's fault. Thank you for Cruising the Cut. Cheers

[@jimmisura6533]

To put the time period these locks were built in perspective for Americans, The Boston Tea party occurred December 16, 1773. This would have been just months prior to the opening of the Bingley 5-Rise lock flight. The First Continental Congress was formed and first met September 5, 1774 some months later. Thanks David for these historical vlogs on the canals. I love history. Cheers from Florida 🌴🌴🌴

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

No kidding really ?

[@patakanz]

British history always blows me away, being from New Zealand where ours is relatively short. That was only a few years after the first settlers even arrived here.

[@derniederrheiner4518]

@@patakanz ". . .That was only a few years after the first settlers even arrived here." Hm, New Zealand was deserted before?

[@gino7444]

The enthousiasme of these "canal people" is contagious, wonderful!!.

[@noyopacific]

I believe that a canal enthusiast in the UK is referred to as a Gongoozler ! 😊

[@philroberts7238]

​@@noyopacificAren't they the casual watchers, rather than the volunteer helpers?

[@f12mnb]

Thanks to David and Cruising The Cut, the Canals and River Trust never had better public relations.

[@clairestevens-day9373]

Bingley 5 rise is a monster, and holds a lot of very fond memories for me and my family. Leeds/Liverpool canal was our backyard as we were growing up visiting the different canals around the uk from our club in Doncaster. Seeing Barry stood at the bottom lock waving us in one night after planning to moor up at the bottom and then having to wait for tea till we got to the top , still makes us both laugh and grimace in equal measure 🙄🤣🤣🤦‍♀️ nearly broke the lock record time getting to the top! A beautiful working feature that is amazing to see and amazing to use!

[@MrSiddysounds]

He was the man and they were his life.

[@Rel1369]

As an Australian it seems incredible that the 5stair lock was built while my country was home to only the Indigenous community. My sister is giving all her sisters and brother a special holiday for their 65th birthdays. She has already taken one sister to Paris, our only brother on the Indian Pacific Train from Perth to Sydney and will be taking another sister to Italy later this year. You might have guessed she loves to travel, with 2 more sisters to go (including me-the youngest) over the next 5yrs. My choice holiday is to spend 5or so days on the northern canals on a hire boat then up to Scotland and do another 5 or so days traveling the Locks(think Lock Ness) and around a week doing land things of which I haven't researched yet, only turning 60 last October I have a bit of time to do that. My niece was living in London many yrs ago and fell in love with an Englishman. They married while still living their and the wedding was in an old Scottish castle and yes it was winter and snowing, she loved it.

[@Robutube1]

I live just a few miles west of the Five Rise and it is a point of local pride in an area that has its struggles. Thanks for highlighting our local wonder David - gradely!

[@Betleyman7853]

I love the way the chap switched from gallons in one sentence to litres in the next.

[@CruisingTheCut]

We do love multiple units!

[@PieterBreda]

90% of the world use the far superior metric system.

[@t1n4444]

​@@PieterBreda Hmm ... superior you say ...

[@crazedcycler]

That was me, apologies. If you quote in litres most people ask what that is in real money. One million litres is such an impressive number.

[@ThirtyOddOne]

@@PieterBreda Even Led Zeppelin knew in the 70s that it is better to give an "inch" rather than a "centimeter".

[@dennyporter2447]

Quite a remarkable bit of engineering! What a pleasure to watch and learn about it! Thanks David! Cheers from Missouri USA!

[@geraldturner9764]

NC via St. Clair MO.

[@greentravels2850]

What a rich history of the canal and lock! I learned a fun new word today too. "Gongoozler," from the Wikipedia page for the lock under 'Tourism' - "a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the UK"

[@graceygrumble]

The people you interviewed are heroes. Many CRT folks are volunteers; 'The Eccentrics' who feel a passion for the mundane of yesteryear. I just love it! The woman from 11.00 onward is a joy to listen to. It's a bit like when, 250 years from now, we are all fleeing everywhere in supersonic underground pods, pre-programmed to our destination and somebody is still re-tarmacking the M1 for historical vehicles which tootle along at 70mph.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Thank you David for your latest broadcast quality documentary. Such interesting content expertly put together. 👏👏👍😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Thank you so much, David for this in depth look at the Bingley 5 rise Lock system near Leeds, if I understand the content properly. The Canal and River Trust are doing a good job in maintaining and preservation. I simply love hearing about the magnificent achievement that our forefathers did hundreds of years ago with their bare hands so to speak. 🥰

[@rustyholt6619]

this is the only corner of the Internet that has never made me regret being there ,, thank you david

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀😀

[@CricketsBay]

Oh, for another no-regrets Internet experience, I recommend Sandi Brock from Sheepishly Me. She farms sheep in Canada. It's lambing season right now.

[@jamespppyacek342]

If I ever get to the UK I'm going to visit the Bingly locks, and the Falkirk Wheel.

[@DaveP668]

Proud to say this is my local canal and over the years I've walked all of it between Gargrave and Leeds city centre making use of the railway which follows the route to hop on and hop off to complete sections. Some sections I've seen dozens of times as there is always something different to see. The same stretch of canal on a crisp clear and sunny January day is a completely different experience to the same stretch on a hot day in July. A true tell tale of the use Five Rise has seen is the wear on the steps, all those boatmans clogs with steel sole protectors have worn them over the years. Same goes for the steps in any of the mills in the area, including Saltaire.

[@for.tax.reasons]

I genuinely get a little weepy over things built a long time ago that still work today😢 like someone made this for us

[@two-sense]

You'd cry for sure if you looked at me then.....

[@joysedgwick812]

Well done David, we need people like you to keep up the pressure on government to provide help with the finances to ensure that CRT can continue to protect the canals for everyone. Award yourself a large cheese butty!

[@CruisingTheCut]

There's always a cheese butty!

[@EmptyGlass99]

Thanks for continuing to provide plenty of canal-related content since you returned to dry land. I wonder how many men died or were maimed building this incredible feat of engineering.

[@tubularap]

Great historical documentation you are making, David. Your library of canal videos will be a source for future historians, as well as a joy for us in the present. Thank you.

[@lizwilliams14]

He has written a book too. I live in Canada. Won’t ever live on a narrow boat but I love watching David’s vidoes and have for years. I bought the book too. And I’m reading the whole thing. But not understanding all the electrical “stuff”. You should buy his book. It’s good.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you for recommending my book, glad you like it. Sorry I couldn't explain the electricals bit better!

[@petee19]

Brilliant and enjoyable video of superb engineering. Thank you David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

2:43 regarding letters, the job I have now I got in 1989, and in that office everything was done via letters, we got letters in the morning and we had secretaries to write letters for us, and I think in 1992 we got computers, (pc) and should communicate via emails, one of my colleague refused to use emails and deleted all his emails each day, and one day he declared with a powerful voice, "if someone want to get in contact with me, they have to send a letter!" So, for young people not knowing about letters there was a time where (some) engineers refused to communicate with anything else than letters

[@laurencefraser]

Meanwhile, today, the common theme is 'why are we wasting three hours on a meeting about a matter that could have resolved with a three line e-mail?', or there-abouts.

[@beeble2003]

It's important to realise that, in those days, letters were much faster, because they were the only way of communicating at a distance. Even when I was growing up in the 1980s (not far from Bingley, actually), there were two postal deliveries per day to residential addresses. Back in the late 1800s, there were up to twelve deliveries of mail per day in parts of London, and people could have conversations of multiple letters each way in a single day. I'm sure things weren't at that level in Bingley in the 1770s -- pillar boxes and postage stamps weren't introduced until more than 50 years after that. But, still, when one of the canal people talks about taking two weeks to get a response by letter, that would have been because the question needed two weeks' work to answer, not because they were communicating by letter. Each of the letters would only have taken a few hours to be delivered.

[@lesliepaterna2628]

I'm from the US and have been following Narrowboats for years!! David does the best job in presenting the history of these canals. Could we have done this in the US ? Yes,we should have..

[@DougsMessyGarage]

Impressive piece of engineering from the 18th century. It is nice to see the the UK has done such an amazing job of maintaining and restoring those historic waterways.

[@markwhitcher2138]

This some more history that needs to be taught. Good work.

[@garyp8471]

Absolutely amazing, pencils paper maybe slide rules i don't know, but one thing for sure a lot of blood sweat and tears to build that hard work not a lot of pay, navvies stayed away from homes weeks or months at a time, and it still stands and works today a monument to those ole navvies. Hats off to em all.

[@philroberts7238]

Most of them were Irish so their families were really quite distant as well.

[@Bicyclehub]

Very well put together. Gives a clear idea of how the locks work, the difficulty of building them and how important they are to ecology. Plus some great filming!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@JeghedderThomas]

Ah, twelve plus minutes of a proper bit of telly. Cheers David, another solid bit of reporting.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ta 😀

[@markschofield576]

I have relatives that live in Skipton and some in Gargrave. Whenever we visited we always " went ta canal ta see boats" . As kids, we were sometimes allowed to help with the locks, Happy days

[@littlechris5656]

what a lovely video, the obvious love the 'staff' have for this and the canal as a whole came across clearly. And hats off the 250 year old engineers and workers for their ability to build something so big so quickly that has been so long lasting! I'm embarrassed to say how long it took to replace a roundabout with traffic lights where I used to live!!!! Keep up the good work David 🙂

[@dannjp75]

Spent half of my childhood narrowboating in the uk, locks were the highlight of any day..❤❤

[@standurham2525]

I’ve never spent a second of my life on waterways or canals. These structures are simple but brilliant examples of engineering which ever fails to amaze. Respect to those who put these together.

[@gordonchapman222]

Ive read a few comments and I doubt I can add much more to say that you really shine in these informative and entertaining mini documentaries about our canals. I always enjoy your vlogs. That said - and this is from someone who has never stepped on a wide beam or narrow boat - the map you showed at 3:35... Isn't there a canal connecting Oxford and the K&A directly? I know I am being finickity 😉 Maybe the map was depicting England's canals on a certain year? Regardless, thanks for sharing, another great vlog.

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Thanks David and the passionate volunteers for a great insight on the Bingley Five rise locks. Very interesting.... 😊

[@DanDavisHistory]

What an amazing structure! 250 years of intensive use is incredible and wonderful to see the passion of all the people looking after it. An instant classic Cruising the Cut video, brilliant 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@ThePensionerAdventurer]

Hello David, Thanks for this video, it was really interesting... Take care. Paul,,

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NeverlandSystemZor]

That lock set is just older than my country... I absolutely LOVE that this is still in use and so lovingly and carefully maintained and protected. THIS is living history at its finest! AND To be fair, making that TODAY would be an engineering masterpiece. Doing it two and a half centuries ago is just mind-blowing.

[@Roller-Ball]

Just wanted to say Thanks. The more you do the more I learn about canals..

[@CruisingTheCut]

I appreciate that! Cheers

[@ethanhermsey]

I really like these mini documentaries of lately. The people are so enthousiastic, nice to see!

[@robadelaide1]

How the canals and locks were built in the 1700s never ceases to amaze me. Fascinating!

[@ImogenC-rt3fm]

And it's BEAUTIFUL! 1774?!! BEAUTIFUL.

[@WimJilf]

Superb stuff again David - thank you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@gw7120]

This channel got me so interested in your waterways and your adventurers! Cheers to another great informative video and bit of history !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Awesome, thank you!

[@uldislavrinovics]

Absolutely entertaining and educational at the same time! Many thanks!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad to hear it!

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Brilliant video, well done. I used to live there and know that place well.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks 🙏

[@BoatTime]

Such an amazing and interesting video! We never considered that staircases use more water, always thought the opposite. Learned something new thank you 😊

[@x--.]

Was that 40 interviews? So many unique and brilliant perspectives captured helps shine a tremendous light on a site that (I can't help myself here, being on the other side of the pond) is older than our Constitution. Absolute delight.

[@hughcarson6837]

You are getting good at these documentaries. Well done.

[@petermagoun7457]

Excellent production David. It is refreshing to see/hear so many folks who are dedicated to maintaining the canals and spreading the word on their history.

[@geoffcampbell7846]

And another fine and interesting video. Talking and listening to extraordinary and interesting people to tell the stories of our greatest achievements always gives me great pleasure and here David does a fine job of linking the story into a great record of the canal history. Cheers 👋🇬🇧🇺🇦🇪🇺

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@petesheppard1709]

A very enjoyable change from binge-watching the van videos! As an American, it's humbling to see such a magnificent work that is older than my country! It gives a new perspective to history.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@padmepadme]

VERY interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[@simons5193]

British ingenuity and engineering at it's best. World class!!

[@s1nb4d59]

Great video dave.the lady at 8:10 explained what they were doing wounderfully.

[@iamsteviedee]

So grateful you make videos like this!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

You are welcome!

[@phil.clarke]

I remember doing this in the 1980's in our Creighton 'Triton' that is still going strong!

[@kubotwostringz]

... Thank you for making the video. I missed the old times videos. But I'm good now 🙂 Thank you

[@Jimfoxyboy]

I had a chuckle when he mentioned it was amazing anything got done with the lack of mobile phones. I still get by with with a flip-non-smart phone and sometimes there are people who think I'm far behind the times. Is it just me or is anyone else getting the feeling, as time marches on, we look back on what we've made and (more?) people can't fathom how it ever was done with so little technology? I tend to think we did have some tools and knowledge back then, but it was way different than what we have now, and the expectations are so different. Personally, I love the fact that there still having a use in the world despite their age.

[@billburba8979]

I live in the Texas, we get about 19 inches of rain a year. Love Dave's informative videos and all the water!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@grayfool]

Great production as always David. The engineering of the canals is always something to marvel at. As was said in the video, we would have problems trying to build the things today. Truly amazing.

[@neillambton4065]

A great vid David, and showing an important part of our heritage. Thanks for posting it.

[@volvo09]

Love these videos where the CRT folks give you further info and history about locations!

[@ozziepilot2899]

Fascinating and educational as always; thanks David. As I get older the more I realise I need to get back to the UK and visit the locks and canals that I did not appreciate as a young person :)

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks for another great mini-doc, David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OnyxandChico]

Genius in action! Piece of art as well!

[@erhardt1477]

Wow 😮 What a interesting peace of history… thank you sir for sharing 🙏🏻

[@jharris947]

WOW! That was a real eye-opener for this softy Southener. Excellent video.😎

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@ara14037]

Cool. Keep historic technics.

[@robsin2810]

Thanks David. I was just thinking about this flight of locks, the other day.🙏🇦🇺👍

[@re33ce]

Great Blog As Always ❤️ Absolutely Stunning Piece Of Engereing Amazing 👀❤️👏👏

[@anthonyclayden7717]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I’ve walked Bingley 5-rise many times. Everybody you talked to was so so enthusiastic, and well-informed, and able to explain tricky details. Again, well-editted thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erickelly1323]

David, thank you for getting me into the fascinating history of narrow boats and the canals they navigate.

[@quarlow1215]

I'm always glad i found your channel so many years ago. You make me wish i lived in the UK. I would definitely be a canal person.

[@roberttaylor7551]

Many a happy time spent wading in the overflows of the locks my grandad had a canal boat that was based at the marina there all. My summer hols spent there or travelling from there up to Blackburn but had to turn round as the canal was too mucky after Blackburn this was back in the late 70s early 80s

[@richarddresden6869]

This gentleman is an international treasure.

[@DrewBe59635]

Yes, more of this. Love the history and improvement videos.

[@Deckzwabber]

I love learning about this very interesting period in Britain's history. Peak pre-industrial engineering.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Happy birthday! Looking good for 250 orbits around the sun 🙂

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Thank you for another fine and informative feature report! You let the people most invested in the canal tell the story.

[@holly-go-lightly]

The overhead view is quite beautiful. To me the design is organic in nature with the largeness suited for the purpose. Brilliant vlog, thank you David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mish28282]

Amazing to see this historical feat of engineering! Amazing what they could accomplish in the past. As a national of the Netherlands it is awesome to see what the UK has to offer. Been watching your videos non-stop for weeks now!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😀

[@AbiBrown-q9k]

I really liked this video lots of history

[@Richardj410]

i needed a good dose of canal, thank you!

[@Sari.w.n]

I started watching your videos, 😊and I am really enjoying the journey. It feels restful for me but not so for you. Such a joy to view. Thank you. Soothing!!!!

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi what a wonderful engineer feet just fantastic. I can’t believe that these guys did this so long ago without any cranes and high technology like we got today from Australia

[@davelaming2256]

Steady on there lad - you are close to becoming a national treasure! Deeply impressed by the time you take to respond to the comments. This is rarely the case for those KZbinrs solely focussing on 'content'.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@Orxenhorf]

Woohoo, Bingley! My ancestors came from there in 1911. The majority of them worked in the wool mills in town, but they also ran a row boat rental business behind the family house on the River Aire just above were All Saints Church is. The one renegade of the bunch started as a worsted weaving overlooker, became an ice cream merchant, then went back as a loom fixer.

[@KPW--p7oi1q]

Love this type video. You are as much an expert as anyone and have a lot of experience on the canals so you understand the importance of each part of the canal and the canal system as a whole. Very good video, do more.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@g.marion5888]

Another masterpiece, David. Thank you for the excellent work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

My pleasure!

[@SirPrancelot1]

The gongoozling centre of the universe! Thanks David.

[@freebirdofreason1994]

We Built some fantastic warships out of timber you can see how this engineering transfers . Very much enjoyed this episode. Top man 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@Smannellites]

Thanks David, very interesting. We went through the 5-rise (and the 3-rise) in a wide-beam hire boat about 20 years ago. Fortunately there was a team of lock-keepers who helped us through. An amazing experience.

[@TheGhostofJTWalsh]

Oh sheesh, wanted to see what David was up to and he gives me a full on professional documentary about these locks. So well put together(complete with a few "lemme get my money outta this dumb drone"shots),learned so much. We here on KZbin don't deserve you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 👍

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

Brilliant David…you are so good at these mini docs with such interest. Keep them coming

[@sandihandi7831]

Wow. Absolutely fascinating David. I had no idea ( and I'm sure others did too) of the magnitude of this fantastic canal "staircase". Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it