Post 18 - Harecastle tunnel

Having made our slow meandering way along the Trent and Mersey canal through Stoke we came to the 2926 yards long Harecastle tunnel, built to transport coal to the pottery kilns. This is the last of three that used to exist, built by Telford and now only allowing one way traffic at a time for safety. So, each end of the tunnel is looked after by a tunnel keeper to whom one introduces oneself upon arrival. The keeper gives clear instructions for safe use of the tunnel and what to do in an emergency.

We had to wait as three boats were coming through from the north end so to fill our time in a useful manner we filled up the water tank using the tap on the right side of the entrance. 

As there are no air shafts in the tunnel, the entrance at the south end is closed and a fan is turned on to extract the fumes from the engine's exhausts after the boats have begun there voyage through the dark. There is a quarter circle hanging over the right hand side of the entrance held by the three chains you can see in the picture. If your boat and all that is on the roof can pass under this without touching it you will be able to pass safely through the tunnel.

South tunnel entrance with 3 chains without the quarter circle to check boats height. Pic from bing.com

When I first entered the tunnel, through the pictured entrance, it appeared to be similar to the others we've passed through but as you progress the tunnel height drops considerably and is slightly disconcerting. The tunnel entrance is closed after the last boat has entered and you hear the fans turned on behind you.

I had doubts I would squeeze through when I saw the roof space dropping. I even found myself having to crouch for a while and was tempted to lower the throttle. Sailing along in the open at two to three miles an hour feels gentle and slow. but in a narrowed space it can feel much faster. As the height of the tunnel drops it can leave you feeling like you're sailing a speedboat!

There was a death in this tunnel in 2014 when a man caught his head on the roof and was knocked in and drowned. He like us had retired and was looking to spend some years exploring and living with his wife on the canals. A terrible tragedy and having been through the tunnel I understand the need and concern for vigilance and care.

The exit was a welcome sight and we returned to the open world in pouring rain