CARTHAGENA LOCK

This was built as a turnpike in 1741 and rebuilt as a pound lock in 1767 or 1768 in Broxbourne Gull, which was an existing flood channel separate from but roughly parallel to Broxbourne Mill Stream.  It is not a man-made channel, although it may have been improved over the years.  The map below shows the Gull and the location of Cartagena turnpike sometime soon after 1741.

Undated map Hertford Archives ref B479

All turnpikes and navigable weirs were flash locks, providing a flash of surging water to aid the passage of boats and barges.  However, turnpikes (on the Lee, anyway), were built for the express purpose of aiding navigation, whereas the other weirs had their own primary purpose of penning water for the miller or trapping fish. Surviving drawings show that turnpikes on the Lee were built with guillotine gates; weirs were built with removable boards.

26.6.1742 " Upon Complaint this day made unto this Court by Edward Want Servant to Mr John ffrench Occupier of Broxbourne Mills in the said County of Hertford and keeper of the Turnpike lately erected in Broxbourne Gull near the said Mills.  That as the said Edward Want was at the said Turnpike house looking after the same by the Order and direction of the said John ffrench on the twenty ninth day of April last George Roberts of Ware..., Thomas Salmon of the same and William Wheatley of the same Bargemen Did in a riotous manner come to the said Turnpike house and did then and there Assault and beat him the said Edward Want.  It is ordered by the Court that the said George Roberts, Thomas Salmon and William Wheatley do severally personally appear before the said Commissioners at their next Court of Sewers...to answer the said Complaint." (NA Rail 845/53)  Unfortunately, there is no further mention of this in the Minutes.

On 3.11.1779, it was ordered that “ Mr Edgerly who now proposed to build the half Lock near Carthagena Lock and repair that Lock (the Surveyor not having repaired the same according to a former order of this Trust) according to Mr Whitworth’s Plan and particular and his own proposal and estimate for the same. Do build such Half Lock and repair Carthagena Lock under the Inspection and to the approbation of Mr Whitworth the Engineer for this Trust for the sum of £152.” (NA Rail 845/5).  However, a week later Mr Edgerly was ordered "to suspend such work until further order of the Trust...(NA Rail 845/51)

On 12.1.1780 it was “Resolved that the following Locks be repaired with all convenient speed Viz. … Carthagena Lock, The Aqueduct Lock at Cheshunt Millstream, Waltham Lock, Rammey Mead Lock, Enfield Lock, Enfield Half Lock, Piggotts Lock, Cooks Lock, Boltons Lock, Stonebridge Lock, Tottenham Lock, Lee Bridge Half Lock, Hackney Marsh Brick Cistern Lock And It Is Ordered that the Surveyor do repair the same as he shall find them absolutely necessary” (NA Rail 845/5)

On 15.7.1799 the minutes recorded that “Carthagena was to be rebuilt during a two-week stoppage” (NA Rail 845/7)  .  On 21.6.1825 “a new lock was to be prepared”. ( NA Rail 845/9)

The lock was rebuilt in 1827.  On 17.4.1852 "resolved that a new Lock house be erected at Carthagena Lock...but without a pigstye .” (NA Rail 845/14). 

20.8.1853 "The winter floods have cut into the sharp turn of the river below Broxbourne Bridge and thus carried away the towing path.. The most beneficial and cheapest plan in the end would be to make a new cut and Towing Path across Mr Bosanquet's field...the cost would be £300 against £200 for repairs....(Mr Bosanquet would) be happy to...give ... the necessary land.  This will be a better improvement than the great cut across Nazeing Marsh (see map above) authorised by the Act of 1850 which would cost £4000".Nathaniel Beardmore (NA Rail 845/14)

On 26.10.1877, it was recommended that “the roof be taken off (the lock house) and two bedrooms built on top – new windows – boarded floors to be placed over present concrete ones downstairs.  Earth closet to be provided.  Some of the elder trees  and the old fence in front to be cut down” (NA Rail 845/21)  Although plans were drawn up (see below),  the improvements were never made.   

LMA ACC 2423/P042

A survey made in November 1878 shows the layout of the lock and weir, showing the old lockhouse , illustrated in the photograph above.                                                                     

LMA ACC 2423/P341

On 20.4.1883, the unaltered lock house was insured for £100 (NA Rail 845/23).

On 14.11.1884, Mr Child, the Engineer, reported "The sanitary arrangements at this lock have been carried out and I am having the lockhouse thoroughly repaired and when completed it will be as commodious and comfortable as can be required"  (NMA ACC 2423/002)

In 1920, C Lambert was offered post of lock keeper and accepted it but after his wife had seen the cottage she would not allow him to take it.   (LMA ACC 2423/018)                                                                                     

At the meeting of 19.7.1935, it was recorded that W J Hayward (of Hoddesdon), was the successful tenderer for a new house at a price of £647.16.11.  (NA Rail 845/119)

LMA ACC 2423/P2674

On 1.2.1936 the new lock house was “complete and ready” at a final cost of £800. This building is the same as the house at the lock today, with the exception of having had another wing added.

LMA ACC 2423/P1892

 The site plan for the new lock built in 1922, showing the outline of the old lock keeper's house, some of which still remains.

The origin of the name

Like Portobello Lock at Ware, Carthagena Turnpike was named to commemorate a battle in the War of Jenkins' Ear.   Portobello Lock  marks the victory in 1739 of the capture of Puerto Bello in Panama.

Carthagena Lock however, marks the defeat of Admiral Vernon and the British Navy when they retired from the siege of Cartagena in Spanish Columbia after four weeks of intense artillery barrage in April 1741.  Although they occupied the Fort of San Miguel on the mainland they never succeeded in taking the town. On a statue outside the fort, Don Blas, the Spanish leader, is portrayed with only one eye, one arm and one leg, injuries sustained in a lifetime of fighting.  The plaques on each side are an ironic display of reproductions of two victory coins prematurely struck by the British

Carthagena Lock