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1796- The stop
lock which was built in the tunnel system at Quarry Pit
adjacent to Hurst Cavern was moved from that site to Tipton
Green at Batsons Wharf. This remained here until 1846 when the
Dudley Canal Company amalgamated with the Birmingham Canal
Company. The only sign that this existed is the narrows at the
wharf.
1815- A new
tunnel was extended from Castle Mill Basin into the Wrens Nest
Hill to terminate in two underground mine known as the East
and West Mines. This tunnel extended for just under one mile
and the West Mine had a surface entrance up to the Severn
Sisters on Wrens Nest Hill.
1849- The
British Association for the Advancement of Science visited the
mines. The famous geologist Sir Roderick Murchison gave a
speech in Dark cavern with thousands of people present. He had
discovered a new period of geological time called the Silurian
era of which Dudley and its mine are one of the best examples
in the world.
1853- A record
41,000 boats used the tunnel during this year. This made the
company realise that Dudley Tunnel was just too small to take
the amount of boats that used that route. So the company
decided that rather than enlarge the tunnel they would
construct a new tunnel two miles away to the south under the
town of Netherton.
1858- The new
tunnel is built and name Netherton Tunnel, its dimensions are
27'' wide and 16'' high. It was built with twin towpaths and
was complete with gas lighting. The gas lighting was later
replaced with electric lighting. The power for these lights
came from a water turbine under the Groveland Aqueduct in
Tividale, which carries the Old Main line over the Netherton
Tunnel Branch. This is still in position and carrying water.
The tunnel was a bit shorter than Dudley at just over 1 ½½
miles.
1858- The two
locks line is between Lodge Farm and Woodside. This was built
as a short cut to miss out Blowers Green Junction at Parkhead
take about 1-2 miles off the journey. At the same time the
tunnel built at Lodge Farm near Netherton by an engineer
called Brewin, was opened up to form a cutting. This exposed a
very important rock formation which is visited by geologist
from all over the world. A bridge was built over the cutting
which carries Hurst Lane from
Netherton.
1884- The
southern section of Dudley Tunnel collapsed due to mining
subsidence. This was rebuilt during that year to larger
dimensions. The theory was that over time the tunnel would
sink and the roof would line up with the 1792 section. This
has failed to happen and the tunnel entrance give a false
indication of the headroom in the tunnel. Because of this
countless boats have got stuck over the years, and so a gauge
has been fitted to prevent this
happening.
1896- The two
Blowers Green Locks outside the Pumphouse were rebuilt as one
deep lock. This is now the deepest lock on the Birmingham
Canal Navigations.
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