A weigh lock is a specialized canal lock designed to determine the weight of barges in order to assess toll payments based upon the weight and value of the cargo carried. This requires that the unladen weight of the barge be known.
A barge to be weighed was brought into a supporting cradle connected by levers to a weighing mechanism. The water was then drained downstream and the scale balance adjusted to determine the barge gross weight. Subtracting the tare weight (the weight of the barge when empty) would give the cargo weight. Originally, weighlocks measured the weight of the barge by measuring the displacement of water in the lock after the barge had entered. This method also requires that the unladen weight of the barge be known.
An example of a weigh lock (now dry), once part of the Erie Canal, may be found in downtown Syracuse, New York, along with a canal barge and interpretive displays at the Erie Canal Museum.
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Famous quotes containing the words weigh and/or lock:
“Since we are assured that the all-wise Creator has observed the most exact proportions of number, weight and measure in the make of all things, the most likely way therefore to get any insight into the nature of those parts of the Creation which come within our observation must in all reason be to number, weigh and measure.”
—Stephen Hales (1677–1761)
“Benjamin: Are you always this much afraid of being alone?
Mrs. Robinson: Yes.
Benjamin: Well, why can’t you just lock the doors and go to bed?
Mrs. Robinson: I’m very neurotic.”
—Calder Willingham (1923–1995)