Simon Stoker Archive - Restoration
This photo gallery forms a part of the Simon Stoker Archive, a collection of images shared by the former General Manager of the Cromford Canal, Simon Stoker. The captions are his own.
Images marked (ADS) were taken by his late father, Dr. Desmond Stoker.
More images can be seen on the next pages.
Please note that the galleries are due to be updated in the near future to use a better viewing system.
Click on any of the images to see a larger version.
Bridge 1 as it was found after initial clearance, and before the big excavator reached it. (circa 1973). (ADS)
The Smith 14 excavator approaches Bridge 1, with Simon Stoker driving and Toby Banks assisting. (ADS)
The 9 ton Smith 14 excavator having just arrived. It was driven across the fields above the canal and into the canal bed through the entry point just visible behind the machine. (ADS)
The same location as above, but looking towards Bridge 2. It was possible to walk right across the canal here without getting your feet wet! (ADS)
The bed of canal is cleared by the Smith 14 excavator driving along the bottom. The mud is disposed on both sides. (ADS)
An early 1970s working party, who were usually called in to clear the towpath. The van in this photo is my father's motor caravan, which was used to provide refreshments. (ADS)
The excavator working mmediately west of Bridge 2. The steep bank at this point required many sleepers to keep the machine upright. There was considerable mud to be removed, caused by outflows of slurry from the Pisani marble works into the canal. (ADS)
Tree trimming just outside Cromford Wharf. c.1973 with Desmond Stoker standing on the bucket. Note the thickness of dried mud just outside the winding hole!
The Smith 14 excavator having passed safely through Bridge 1 (1973/4). (ADS)
25th February 1989 on the morning the canal overtopped. This was taken approximately 200yds east of the Iron Aqueduct. Only the new steel piling installed in late 1988 prevented a complete disaster. The small boy is my son, David.
The Smith 14 excavator enroute to High Peak. The bed was too soft to drive on at this point, so we used the towpath instead. This unfortunately reduced the reach of the bucket. (ADS)
The original long-reach Smalley excavator was converted to a floating dredger by the manufacturer. This was a very effective aid to clearing the canal. The pontoon had to be made narrower than their standard 6ft 10in in order to get into the drydock and through the Gregory Tunnel.
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