History
We all know the general history of Sheffield's Megatron, but this report is just about the last 200 m so i will concentrate on that.
See map below which is a 1896 Insurance map of the outlet and surrounding area
As we know the Megatron culvert was built over the River sheaf in 1860,s allowing the Midland railway station to be built in 1870 and the area to be industrialized. From the map it can be seen that the last 200 m of the River Sheaf was open, that is from the cathedral roof of Megatron to the River Don, also it can be seen that the weir near the end was also in place in the open river. A 1903 map shows similar but on a 1920 map the river has disappeared and is in a culvert. The roof of the last section of culvert is a parabolic construction of reinforced concrete, so probably quite advanced for the time. from the photos you will see the roof profile is not uniform so has been built in two stages
The Explore
On my last Megatron report I paddled a dinghy up the Don then into the Sheaf outlet only to be halted in 20 m due to a steep 6 foot weir, I still wanted to know what the deep section above the weir was like. Boosted with confidence from my last dinghy trip the plan was to carry the dinghy through Megatron from the railway station and paddle down to the weir. As I set off early one morning I felt like I was going on a wartime special operation loaded up with a dinghy in a rucksack and a load of photographic equipment. I entered the Megatron complex under the railway station relieved that nobody challenged me, not that I would of stopped. As I was only interested in the last section I headed straight down a familiar route and 20 minutes later the impressive cathedral appeared in my torchlight, it never fails to amaze this magnificent feat of Victorian engineering
Assembling the dinghy a few doubts crossed my mind, a puncture would mean probably swimming out the other end so had on wet suit and BA, or if the top of the weir was shallow I would not be able to paddle and be swept over the top into 6 foot of water, a length of rope with a handy house brick tied to the end should act like a anchor and brake. Carrying out a full risk assessment I decided it was risky so the explore was on !!
As well as exploring this last bit, I had built a 1950,s style flash bulb gun operated by remote control and was eager to try a couple of 110,000 lumens flash bulbs. The dinghy was inflated, camera gear assembled and a few shots taken prior departure. Time to explore the deep bit, anchor was hoisted on deck, gear all loaded aboard and I set off hugging the left hand wall for security, probing the depth as I went, thinking could a alligator survive in these conditions down here,
The curved parabolic roof changed to a more angular section further on providing great reflection on the calm water, light painting was out on the constant moving dinghy so I had to rely on electronic flash, quality of photos was poor having to use f3.5 and ISO 400/800 to get the right exposure. Approaching the weir head I dropped anchor into 4 foot of water, in fact the depth had stayed pretty constant at 4 foot all the way too deep for thigh waders but OK for chesty,s if anybody fancy's giving it a go, as long as there are no deep holes. I edged to the top of the weir, managed to get a few photos, how do you photograph a outlet with sunlight poring through, very difficult to get a decent photo.
Feeling elated due to Adrenalin pumping round and that I had made it and got my photos I leisurely made my way back, photographing reflections while practicing my oarsman-ship. Back on dry land, checked the time I had been down here for 5 hours only one hour to get back to my car. Loaded up with heavy gear I was soon wandering across Sheffield too happy and knackered to bother about any strange looks.
A few Photographs
Just try one of my 110,000 lumen flash bulbs
Ready for the off
Looking good
Thats another tenner gone in a flash
First Section of Roof
Final section Of roof
Teetering on the edge
Back in safe Waters
We all know the general history of Sheffield's Megatron, but this report is just about the last 200 m so i will concentrate on that.
See map below which is a 1896 Insurance map of the outlet and surrounding area
As we know the Megatron culvert was built over the River sheaf in 1860,s allowing the Midland railway station to be built in 1870 and the area to be industrialized. From the map it can be seen that the last 200 m of the River Sheaf was open, that is from the cathedral roof of Megatron to the River Don, also it can be seen that the weir near the end was also in place in the open river. A 1903 map shows similar but on a 1920 map the river has disappeared and is in a culvert. The roof of the last section of culvert is a parabolic construction of reinforced concrete, so probably quite advanced for the time. from the photos you will see the roof profile is not uniform so has been built in two stages
The Explore
On my last Megatron report I paddled a dinghy up the Don then into the Sheaf outlet only to be halted in 20 m due to a steep 6 foot weir, I still wanted to know what the deep section above the weir was like. Boosted with confidence from my last dinghy trip the plan was to carry the dinghy through Megatron from the railway station and paddle down to the weir. As I set off early one morning I felt like I was going on a wartime special operation loaded up with a dinghy in a rucksack and a load of photographic equipment. I entered the Megatron complex under the railway station relieved that nobody challenged me, not that I would of stopped. As I was only interested in the last section I headed straight down a familiar route and 20 minutes later the impressive cathedral appeared in my torchlight, it never fails to amaze this magnificent feat of Victorian engineering
Assembling the dinghy a few doubts crossed my mind, a puncture would mean probably swimming out the other end so had on wet suit and BA, or if the top of the weir was shallow I would not be able to paddle and be swept over the top into 6 foot of water, a length of rope with a handy house brick tied to the end should act like a anchor and brake. Carrying out a full risk assessment I decided it was risky so the explore was on !!
As well as exploring this last bit, I had built a 1950,s style flash bulb gun operated by remote control and was eager to try a couple of 110,000 lumens flash bulbs. The dinghy was inflated, camera gear assembled and a few shots taken prior departure. Time to explore the deep bit, anchor was hoisted on deck, gear all loaded aboard and I set off hugging the left hand wall for security, probing the depth as I went, thinking could a alligator survive in these conditions down here,
The curved parabolic roof changed to a more angular section further on providing great reflection on the calm water, light painting was out on the constant moving dinghy so I had to rely on electronic flash, quality of photos was poor having to use f3.5 and ISO 400/800 to get the right exposure. Approaching the weir head I dropped anchor into 4 foot of water, in fact the depth had stayed pretty constant at 4 foot all the way too deep for thigh waders but OK for chesty,s if anybody fancy's giving it a go, as long as there are no deep holes. I edged to the top of the weir, managed to get a few photos, how do you photograph a outlet with sunlight poring through, very difficult to get a decent photo.
Feeling elated due to Adrenalin pumping round and that I had made it and got my photos I leisurely made my way back, photographing reflections while practicing my oarsman-ship. Back on dry land, checked the time I had been down here for 5 hours only one hour to get back to my car. Loaded up with heavy gear I was soon wandering across Sheffield too happy and knackered to bother about any strange looks.
A few Photographs
Just try one of my 110,000 lumen flash bulbs
Ready for the off
Looking good
Thats another tenner gone in a flash
First Section of Roof
Final section Of roof
Teetering on the edge
Back in safe Waters
