River elevators on the Du Centre Canal
IN river indies arranged on a short section of the main channel, in the basin of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers, near the town of La Louviere, in the industrialized region of Hainaut. These four river elevators, together with the canal, constitute a perfectly preserved example of a 19th-century industrial landscape. They are also evidence of the apogee of the development of hydraulic engineering in the 19th century.
"Industrial monuments of the highest quality"
Nine elevators were built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The only ones that still work today are the four elevators on the Canal du Centre. Apart from the lifts, you can also admire many interesting structures, such as locks, swing bridges, drawbridges, and gymnasiums, especially near lifts no. 2 and 3. In 1998, the elevators were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as "industrial monuments" "of the highest quality."
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The principle of operation of river elevators from the UNESCO List
Elevator number I on the Houdeng-Goengies section consists of two mobile compartments, each supported by a single hydraulic piston which is connected to a pipe in such a way that when one compartment is at the top of the bay, the other is at the bottom. When one compartment lowers as a result of the introduction of water from the river above, the other compartment begins to rise.
Elevator number 2 (Houdeng-Aimeries), No. 3 (Bracquegnies) and No. 4 (Thieu) were built thirteen years later than elevator No. 1 and have several modifications to facilitate operation. However, the basis of operation remained the same. Only the control method, hydraulic piston and gates were modified.
Elevator number 2 (Houdeng-Aimeries), No. 3 (Bracquegnies) and No. 4 (Thieu) were built thirteen years later than elevator No. 1 and have several modifications to facilitate operation. However, the basis of operation remained the same. Only the control method, hydraulic piston and gates were modified.
The history of the creation of the hydrotechnical wonders of the 19th century
The Hainaut area did not have a naturally developed network of rivers, which created problems with the transportation of coal discovered in the Borinage region and around Charleroi at the end of the 12th century. Since there were not enough roads in this area at that time, coal was carried on men's backs to the banks of the Haine River and transported in small boats. In the 19th century, coal was the basic material for the developing industry. However, there were problems with its rapid transportation.
The Charleroi-Brussels Canal was completed in 1832, and the Houdeng and Mariemont sections, which played an important role in the development of the Canal du Centre, were completed in 1839. An imperial decree of Napoleon I in 1807 ordered the creation of a canal between Mons and Condé. These activities were completed in 1818. The Saint-Quentin canal was completed the same year. The Borinage Basin was now directly connected to Paris.
The Charleroi-Brussels Canal was completed in 1832, and the Houdeng and Mariemont sections, which played an important role in the development of the Canal du Centre, were completed in 1839. An imperial decree of Napoleon I in 1807 ordered the creation of a canal between Mons and Condé. These activities were completed in 1818. The Saint-Quentin canal was completed the same year. The Borinage Basin was now directly connected to Paris.
There was only one element missing in this network of channels. Namely, the junction of the Scheldt and Meuse rivers, the canal between Mons and Charleroi. In 1810, Napoleon I officially approved the construction proposal for the project known as the Canal du Centre. The Belgian government conducted research to solve two main technical problems. Small amount of water and large difference in levels (89.46 m). The main problem lay in the upper part of the canal, in the Thiriau valley. It was decided that in sections where there is a difference in level it would be better to use elevators rather than dams that raise the water level. The decision was made to use elevators, invented by the English engineer Edwin Clark.
The first elevator was intended to bridge the difference in level of 15.40 meters, the other three 16.93 meters. The first elevator on the Houdeng-Goegnies section was ready in April 1888. On June 4 of the same year, King Leopold II attended the inauguration. The 14-kilometer section from Mons to Thieu was completed in 1892.
Ultimately, the Canal du Cente was opened in August 1917. In 1957 it was decided to open the entire Canal du Centre to vessels carrying up to 1,350 tons of cargo. A new trail was dug from Mons to Havre. This meant that the section of the Canal du Centre for vessels up to 300 tonnes, which features four UNESCO heritage-listed elevators, became redundant.
Several solutions were considered for this section, including commercial use, complete obliteration, and filling various sections with a form of conservation. Ultimately, financial constraints led to the decision to allocate this section of the canal for recreational purposes. This project has received many awards in the eighties and nineties.
Ultimately, the Canal du Cente was opened in August 1917. In 1957 it was decided to open the entire Canal du Centre to vessels carrying up to 1,350 tons of cargo. A new trail was dug from Mons to Havre. This meant that the section of the Canal du Centre for vessels up to 300 tonnes, which features four UNESCO heritage-listed elevators, became redundant.
Several solutions were considered for this section, including commercial use, complete obliteration, and filling various sections with a form of conservation. Ultimately, financial constraints led to the decision to allocate this section of the canal for recreational purposes. This project has received many awards in the eighties and nineties.