Laroche Migennes and the river Yonne

The canal joins the river Yonne at Laroche Migennes, in the photo if you turn to the left you'll head to Auxerre, whilst if you turn right and go downstream you'll join the river Seine.

This is a rare image of the "steam powered" tug which was used to pull barges off the river towards the first lock.

The tug functioned on the same principle as the one operating in the tunnel at Pouilly en Auxois, instead of using a propellor, it would pull on a chain, which laid on the bottom of the river bed. The chain was more than a mile long allowing the tug to have an effective range.

This photo gives a wider impression of the access to the river from the canal. The tug mentioned in the previous photo would have been moored to the left. The small rowing boats are fisherman.

Once again, this image shows the importance of cargo carrying barges at the beginning of the 1900's. Most of the boats are laden but could be waiting to pass the lock to go on to the river.

As you can see in the last two photos, although the canal has a primary use of commercial transport, the local people could also enjoy being beside the water. I much doubt people would be doing this along the freeways with the trucks ! Here the people are fishing and drinking, dated 1916.

Collection of Postcards

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