Hotopp-LocksSchleswig-Holstein / North Germany Operator: Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt |
|
In those days there was no electric power supply available in the "Herzogtum Lauenburg" county.
Steam engines powering the locks like the ones at the Kiel Canal appeared to be to expensive.
The engineer Hotopp constructed a lock that works with high and low pressure air that is produced by water power.
This high and low pressure air moves the gates and makes the water flow into or out of the basin.
The lock master only has to open or close big air valves.
Here you find an explanation of how it works:
THE 11 PHASES OF A PROCESS graphically (German explanations)
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A NORMAL PROCESS (Text)
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WATER SAVING PROCESS (Text)
ORIGINAL REPORT 1898 by Hotopp in German
Elbe-Luebeck-Canal at the Donnerschleuse in Neu-Lankau.
Looking north from the old bridge in the direction of Luebeck. Guenter Grass lives 3 miles from here . (c) DDD 1/2000