Locks are used to raise and lower boats between waterways of different elevations. They work by filling or emptying sections to equalize water levels on each side of gates. In the 19th century, the development of large canals was vital for trade as it reduced transport distances for goods. This led to massive infrastructure projects like the Suez and Panama Canals, led by Ferdinand de Lesseps. The construction of the Suez Canal began in 1859 and involved digging a 162 kilometer trench through the desert to connect Europe and Asia without needing to go around Africa.

1. so that the water tends to close the
gates and divert the pressure onto the
banks
once closed the lock is then emptied
downstream to the lower level
thanks to a paddle a small sliding hatch
on the gate of the lock
that acts as a valve
its role is to fill or empty the lock to
balance the water level
and therefore the pressure on each side
of the gate to facilitate opening
initially built of modest size to
facilitate irrigation
in the 19th century the development of
large canals
became vital for both national and
international trade by reducing the
distances travelled in transporting
goods
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huge projects began to see the light of
day such as the suez canal
and the panama canal
the man behind both of these humongous
projects was the very knowledgeable
ferdinand de lesseps
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the construction of the suez canal began
in 1859
plans drawn up by the ambitious de
lesseps involved digging a 162 kilometer
trench through the desert
to connect europe with asia without
bypassing africa
and the treacherous seas of the cape of
good hope
tens of thousands of egyptian labourers
began the work by hand
excavators and pickaxes were replaced a
few years later by dredging machines
such inventions resulting from the
advent of steam significantly reduced
the need for manpower
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on november 17 1869 the new waterway was
solemnly opened
the channel was admired by the whole
world
for its creator the canal's completion
was a crowning glory
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fernando lesseps achieved a level of
glory which is unimaginable today
he went on to tackle international
relations and the construction of the
statue of liberty
although he wasn't a writer he was even
invited to join the academy francaise
his success led to his skills being
somewhat overestimated
and was convinced that he was the best