Bonaparte Lock

The mechanism of Bonaparte Lock was quite ingenious: two entrances, a downhill reach on the side of the Scheldt and an uphill reach on the side of the dock, regulated the water level for ships. When the lock between Bonaparte Dock and the River Scheldt was open, the uphill reach blocked off the water from Willem Dock. Then the doors on the Scheldt side were closed and the water between the two docks was levelled, enabling the ships to sail into Willem Dock. The wooden lock doors were operated with waterpower and a capstan, propelled by eight lockkeepers. The limited use, the cost of maintenance and the need for a wider access route to the port led to the filling in of the lock in 1974.