I feel very honoured to be awarded a virtual cache. I noticed that many cachers were keen to park cars, grab the cache and move on. This cache is not aimed at them but at cachers who like to explore new places and appreciate natural beauty alongside clever engineering. Slow down and enjoy the delightful scenery and tranquil nature of this very special area.
TO LOG THE CACHE
To log the cache you must post a photo in your log of yourself AT the Turf Lock and the photo must show both the lock and the pub in the background.
GETTING TO THE TURF LOCK
The Turf Lock can only be reached by boat or on foot or by bicycle. There is NO access for cars.
There are ferries from Topsham all the way to the Turf. Times vary depending on the tides. Look on the internet for the 'Topsham to Turf Ferry'.
There is also a ferry across the river from Topsham and then you can walk along the path to the Turf Lock.
Cars can be parked by Powderham Church and you can proceed on foot from there. GC77588 is close by.
History
The Turf Lock stands at the mouth of the Exeter Ship Canal. By the early 19th century, the decline of wool exports along the canal was replaced by imports of coal, timber, salt cod and other goods. In 1698, the Chamber considered extending the canal as far as Powderham or Turfe Poole but the Act of Parliament defeated. In the nineteenth century, James Green was given the task of improving the canal. He extended it and created the Turf Lock which was opened on 14th September 1827.
300 labourers were needed to excavate the canal. Progress was difficult as the canal ran close to the shore of the River Exe since local landowners would not allow a direct route. The bank between the river and the canal was a problem and had to be continually raised and strengthened in the intervening years.
The canal is 15 ft deep, built parallel with the estuary, had raised banks and was lined to prevent water loss. The lock itself is 131 feet long and 30 ft inches wide with a sill 2ft below the bar at Exmouth.
The extended canal and Turf Lock allowed larger vessels to reach the Port of Exeter. However, within a few years, sea-going vessels outgrew the canal. Even the approach to the canal along the Exe estuary was too shallow for many ships. The channel that led to the Turf Lock was prone to silt and every spring 1,000 tons of silt had to be dredged to keep it clear.
The Turf Locks Hotel was built to provide accommodation for the lock keeper and the crews of vessels using the canal. The hotel had stabling for the horses that were used to tow the barges up and down the waterway.
The surrounding wetlands and estuary are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protected Area (SPA).
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.