Whitchurch Lock

There was a flash lock recorded at Whitchurch in the 16th century. The sketch map shows the main dam, which was solid and rose to a height above normal high water level. Near the southern bank, there was a sluice (marked "E" on the sketch), which was 30 ft wide, and was fitted with flood gates and overfall boards, to accommodate a drop of 3 to in the river level. The flash lock was in the centre, with a winch on the north bank to haul the barges through against the current. It was 23 ft wide, which was the standard size for all flash locks below Abingdon. Near to the island was a "tumbling bay", an overfall weir with its crest just below normal low water level. It was about 35 ft wide and…