The History
Minitron is a culvert in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield, covering an offshoot of the River Don. It has historically been known locally as ‘Millsands Goit’.
‘The word “goit” means “a human made channel for carrying water either to or from a hydro power site”. It is a dialect word, not heard much outside Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Alternative terms include leat, fleam, race, or the Standard English “conduit”. At Kelham Island the head goit takes water from the weir on the River Don, past Kelham Island Museum to the wheel pit, while the tail goit takes the water away from the wheel pit, under the new dual carriageway on Corporation Street, past the modern flats at Millsands and back to the River Don.’
Source:https://www.sheffieldrenewables.org.uk/2011/02/07/kelham-island-workdays/
The goit itself was originally constructed to generate the water wheels powering the local industry, which is now primarily replaced by accommodation and some nice real ale pubs.
The Explore
Visited in the company of @Esoteric Eric, which is always a pleasure. As we made our way over the railing and down into the water we were called by a friendly chap from above, with a can of cider in hand, who engaged us in enthusiastic chat about culverts and light painting. Not the ideal time to have a conversation, but also not wanting to be rude and pull away too quickly, I took the opportunity to test the depth with my tripod. All fine, even though the level looked higher in the dark. Saying goodbye to cider guy, after suggesting he checked out 28days online, we began our journey.
We were met by photo op one, namely two short pipes, partially submerged like some kind of large robotic face (kind of).
Onwards, through some minor growth, and into the main grand arch of the initial tunnel.
Looking back out towards our arrival point.
The tunnels themselves are awesome victorian constructions, very reminsicent of the culvert’s bigger sibling, Megatron.
Doing the silt shuffle, there’s this blocked diversion.
Looking back on double arches....
Coming out the other end, heading towards the Millsands flats. Neither of us had been in this courtyard before and so arriving somewhere unexpected was a nice surprise.
Back under again for the outflow. Here, @Esoteric Eric noticed a small sensing / GPS device attached to the wall, presumably (we think) to register blockages in this section.
Another sensor was present at the culmination of the outflow, just beyond the double gates.
And after hanging around taking riverside photos for a bit we decided it was time to climb out, returning in the direction of the pub and a couple of real ales.
Full set here
Minitron is a culvert in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield, covering an offshoot of the River Don. It has historically been known locally as ‘Millsands Goit’.
‘The word “goit” means “a human made channel for carrying water either to or from a hydro power site”. It is a dialect word, not heard much outside Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Alternative terms include leat, fleam, race, or the Standard English “conduit”. At Kelham Island the head goit takes water from the weir on the River Don, past Kelham Island Museum to the wheel pit, while the tail goit takes the water away from the wheel pit, under the new dual carriageway on Corporation Street, past the modern flats at Millsands and back to the River Don.’
Source:https://www.sheffieldrenewables.org.uk/2011/02/07/kelham-island-workdays/
The goit itself was originally constructed to generate the water wheels powering the local industry, which is now primarily replaced by accommodation and some nice real ale pubs.
The Explore
Visited in the company of @Esoteric Eric, which is always a pleasure. As we made our way over the railing and down into the water we were called by a friendly chap from above, with a can of cider in hand, who engaged us in enthusiastic chat about culverts and light painting. Not the ideal time to have a conversation, but also not wanting to be rude and pull away too quickly, I took the opportunity to test the depth with my tripod. All fine, even though the level looked higher in the dark. Saying goodbye to cider guy, after suggesting he checked out 28days online, we began our journey.
We were met by photo op one, namely two short pipes, partially submerged like some kind of large robotic face (kind of).
Onwards, through some minor growth, and into the main grand arch of the initial tunnel.
Looking back out towards our arrival point.
The tunnels themselves are awesome victorian constructions, very reminsicent of the culvert’s bigger sibling, Megatron.
Doing the silt shuffle, there’s this blocked diversion.
Looking back on double arches....
Coming out the other end, heading towards the Millsands flats. Neither of us had been in this courtyard before and so arriving somewhere unexpected was a nice surprise.
Back under again for the outflow. Here, @Esoteric Eric noticed a small sensing / GPS device attached to the wall, presumably (we think) to register blockages in this section.
Another sensor was present at the culmination of the outflow, just beyond the double gates.
And after hanging around taking riverside photos for a bit we decided it was time to climb out, returning in the direction of the pub and a couple of real ales.
Full set here
