Canal Tunnels

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Canal building was a very dangerous occupation, but the most dangerous work undertaken was the building of tunnels.
Armed with just pick axes, shovels and wheelbarrows those brave men dug their way through hills encountering all types of rock formations, waterlogged areas, sand and shale.
Shafts would be sunk over the hilltop after being aligned, and when sunk to the required depth the navvies (mostly experienced mine workers) would start to tunnel either way.
With such basic methods, sometimes the tunnels would not meet up correctly, and that is why you get the kinks in some tunnels you go through.
The longer narrow tunnels still in use all have restrictions so that boats do not meet inside, timed entries, traffic lights, controlled entry by a tunnel keeper at either end or booked passages.
(1*) Dudley Tunnel passages have to be booked due to having no ventilation shafts boats are towed through with an electric tug. Standedge tunnel also requires booking in advance.
More and more unpowered boats are useing the canals now, and BW have classified each tunnel either 1,2 or 3. No unpowered boats are allowed in class 1 tunnels, unpowered boats are allowed through class 2 but with certain restrictions (listed below) and class 3, which are usualy very short, there are no restrictions.
A letter D on the list means that the tunnel is disused and/or derelict now.
A letter O on the list means that the tunnel has been opened out and is now a cutting.

Class 2 restrictions for unpowered boats:-
1. Must be in groups of between 3 and 6 craft, one of which must be navigated by a skilled person.
2. Everone navigating the tunnel must be able to swim and wear a life jacket.
3. All craft must have adequate buoyancy within the craft.
4. All craft must have, securely fixed, a bright white light showing forward.
5. All people navigating an unpowered boat must have attached to them a waterproof torch and a suitable whistle.