- Winding hole
A winding hole is a widened area of a
canal , used for turning a canal boat such as anarrowboat . "Winding" is pronounced as in a flow of air, not as in to rotate.Origins of the term
The word is correctly pronounced with a short "i" as in something that makes you out of breath, rather than to rhyme with "finding" [cite web|author=Britain's Waterways|title=FAQ|url=http://www.britains-waterways.com/ringcontents.htm#16] . The word derives from the practice of using the prevailing wind to assist with the turn. However, nowadays, both pronunciations are in use.
History
Because the width of a canal channel (about thirty to forty feet wide), is less than the length of a full-size canal boat it is not usually possible to turn a boat in the canal. Winding holes are typically indentations in the off-side (non-
towpath side) of the canal, allowing sufficient space to turn the boat.The name winding hole comes from the fact that the winding hole is on the off-side of the canal. When horses were used to pull the boats, it was not possible for them to assist with the turning of the boat, due to being on the wrong side of the canal. As a result it was considered favourable to use the wind to assist in turning the boat, to reduce the amount of human power needed.
Use
A winding hole usually consists of a "notch" in the canal bank opposite to the towpath. A turning boat inserts its bow into the notch and swings the stern round. In the days of horse-drawn boats this was presumably accomplished using long shafts. [cite book
last = Hankinson
first = John
title = Canal Cruising
publisher = Ward Lock
year = 1967
pages = 62-64] [cite book
last = Marsh
first = Bryan
title = The Inland Navigator
publisher = Penguin
year = 1985
pages = 140-141
isbn = 0-14-046666-5] [cite book
last = Yorke
first = Stan
title = English Canals Explained
publisher = Countryside Books
year = 2003
pages = 44
isbn = 1 85306 825-X]Today
With the growth of pleasure traffic on the canals and the virtual disappearance of commercial craft the need for winding holes increased. Whereas commercial craft needed to turn at locations which were predictable and related to the goods carried, pleasure boats may wish to turn anywhere. As a result
British Waterways has created new winding holes in many locations over the last twenty years. For example, three have been provided in the ten miles of theOxford Canal between Braunston Junction and the foot of Napton Locks.References
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