Brussels–Charleroi Canal

The canal Charleroi -Brussels is a ship canal in Belgium, which connects the cities of Charleroi and Brussels. The current channel has a length of 74 km.

History

As early as 1531, Charles V authorized the construction of a canal that would connect the Scheldt in Willebroek over Brussels Charleroi. The construction was not until 1550 on the orders of Mary of Hungary, at that time governor of the Netherlands, started. 1561, however, the work was stopped after Brussels was reached.

With the industrial revolution, however, awakened new interest in a continuation of the channel, there were large coal deposits in the area of Charleroi. The earthworks for the construction of the canal Charleroi -Brussels began on April 2, 1827 August 1, the foundation stone was laid for the tunnel of La Bête - REFAITE ( Length: 1,267 meters Width: 3 meters). Although the work by the events of 1830 ( the struggle for independence of Belgium) and shortly afterwards were delayed by lack of funds, the canal was officially opened on 22 September 1832.

The channel is initially built only with a relatively small cross-section and was suitable only for 70 -ton vessels. Therefore began shortly thereafter the expansion work. From 1854 to 1914 the work was so far advanced that between Charleroi and Clabecq were 300-ton ships operate.

After the First World War, the work could be resumed. This time it was to expand the section Clabecq -Brussels for 1,350 -ton ships. The idea also to make Charleroi accessible for 1,350 -ton ships, after the Second World War due to increased transport direction Antwerp.

Course

The main building on the canal is the ship lift Ronquières, which is constructed in the form of an inclined elevator. At a length of about 1400 meters, a height difference of 68 meters is overcome. The ships are floating in a water-filled trough. The elevator has two independent troughs.