Simon Stoker Archive - Restoration 3
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 previous 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.

With the new stop plank grooves installed at the Gregory Tunnel - this was the finished east end.

With the new stop plank grooves installed at the Gregory Tunnel - this was the finished east end.

Approx 1973. The Smith 14 excavator approaches Bridge 1 (ADS)

Approx 1973. The Smith 14 excavator approaches Bridge 1 (ADS)

The OTHER point at which the water overtopped the bank on 25th February 1989. This was about 350 yards east of the first point above, roughly 300 yards west of the Gregory Tunnel. No steel piles had been inserted here, with the result that the towpath nearly went completely!

The OTHER point at which the water overtopped the bank on 25th February 1989. This was about 350 yards east of the first point above, roughly 300 yards west of the Gregory Tunnel. No steel piles had been inserted here, with the result that the towpath nearly went completely!

With the restoration finished, this is the west end of the Gregory Tunnel.
With the restoration finished, this is the west end of the Gregory Tunnel.

A small leak in the towpath near the Iron Aqueduct. This leak was topped with a few piles, and then backfilled.

A small leak in the towpath near the Iron Aqueduct. This leak was topped with a few piles, and then backfilled.

From High Peak, looking east. This shows how it was found when the Smith 14 excavator got there. We had de-watered this section some time before, hence the luxuriant weeds. c.1974. (B&W from ADS transparency.)

From High Peak, looking east. This shows how it was found when the Smith 14 excavator got there. We had de-watered this section some time before, hence the luxuriant weeds. c.1974. (B&W from ADS transparency.)

Installing new stop plank grooves and a sill at the Gregory Tunnel.

Installing new stop plank grooves and a sill at the Gregory Tunnel.

See more images on the
previous pages.

The dredger working about 150 yds east of the Iron Aqueduct. The canal has been drained as we were repairing a bad leak.

The dredger working about 150 yds east of the Iron Aqueduct. The canal has been drained as we were repairing a bad leak.

Grattons Bridge near the Naturalist's house. The Smalley long-reach tracked machine here is on loan. The lid of the machine had to be removed and steel beams laid under the bridge to provide access to the canal. This machine cleared much of the channel between Whatstandwell and Ambergate. (Photo supplied by Smalley Excavators)

Grattons Bridge near the Naturalist's house. The Smalley long-reach tracked machine here is on loan. The lid of the machine had to be removed and steel beams laid under the bridge to provide access to the canal. This machine cleared much of the channel between Whatstandwell and Ambergate. (Photo supplied by Smalley Excavators)

The floating machine seen near the spillway, about 200 yards east of the "Gregory Nip" (the stop plank narrows).

The floating machine seen near the spillway, about 200 yards east of the "Gregory Nip" (the stop plank narrows).

The floating machine struggles to exit the Gregory Tunnel to start on the winding hole behind.

The floating machine struggles to exit the Gregory Tunnel to start on the winding hole behind.