Lancaster rail bridge.

[dr.syn]

For Info
I measured the height last weekend and reckon at HW liverpool on an 8.5m tide there is 34' under the central span.
There was 4 1/2 courses of the lower brickwork showing (including the top thinner one).
There are rocks on one side of the middle span but I can't remember which side, but going straight through the middle will probably be OK. I'll check that out on a low tide. I've also got to find out whether you can get ashore at the quay now as they've done the new pathway with a bigger wall.

I thought I'd better be quick or the anti terrorist boys would jump me after someone reports a strange man lowering a big can on the end of a long fuse over the bridge. Obviously not too worried around here.

[jstoppy]

I have also checked out Lancaster as a mooring point and at low tide there are a lot of rocks, especially the sides of the river. I had not considered going under any of the bridges. There is a walkway which goes down to the rivers edge on the south side but this is too rocky and you would not want to dry out. I could find no quays or mooring points. There is a slipway but not sure of practicalities of use. Although if you look on google map there are boats moored.

Does the club have any contacts with Lancaster officials to have some mooring bouys put in the river to encourage more visitors, where safe drying can be taken. We could offer to lay the moorings etc if given permission. It would a be a great day out and extend the clubs reach for small (plus larger if tempted) sailling craft in safer surroundings than the bay. I would have welcomed this at the begining of my sailing in a tidal area, with pilotage plans etc. Obviously some account of water levels in floods would need to taken into account.

Obviously big dream Lancaster Tourist officials see the potential and put in floating pontoons to dry against, not unrealistic if you look at the area which needs some regeneration.

Just a thought and my Ramblings over.

[Michael]

Great Idea Stoppy, I've forwarde your suggestion to the Committee

[davidb]

I used to go up there quite regularly about 6 years ago and kept an accurate route with very close waywoints on my GPS - i searched for the deepest channel and kept refining it each time I went.

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Plain Jane always fit under the Carlisle bridge, but I remember Dave Griffin having to do a sudden about-turn once in his 26' beneteu.
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I would not like to dry out against St George's Quay, you would get a lot of unwelcome attention overnight.
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Also, you might settle on a sunken boat.
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Once we tied up outside the Museum in the barge and the curator was delighted to see us there.
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Another time "Kathlene" - once used by the Dock workers as a pilot boat followed us up.

Don't forget that there is a jetty with a strong fence on it under the pylons on the East bank, I think it submerges at HW springs, if I remember.

David

[Michael]

I can confirm that the museum love to see boats and visitors - they have a restricted budget but they might help with knowing who to ask? We can talk to Chris (Oxborrow) on the 24th when he comes to talk to us?

[Alison]

There is a mud/grass bank between the Carlisle (railway ) bridge and the quay proper, although it does slope. It appears ok when I've been passed but you would need to watch the timings as that far up the river the tidal window is narrow. Also you're less likely to encounter 'local' problems if they have to negotiate the mud. There are 3 pubs(2 do music) on the quay and a restaurant. The slip is very steep and narrow but there is a (slightly) less steep slip before the bridge near the old boat yard.
Approaching the bridge you should pass through the middle span as close to the right support as possible to avoid the rocks. Next time I'm passing at low tide I'll try and take some photos.
I used to take my leisure 17 up regularly years ago but never stopped over a tide. Perhaps we should do an extended 'invasion'?

[Michael]

I think an extended invasion could be a good idea, especially if done in conjunction with the museum and one of the music pubs. Better still if we could involve the local tourist board. What do the small cruiser/big dinghy members think?

[dr.syn]

Next time I'm up I'll take the boat up there and get the full SP