Legging (canals)

Legging is a method of moving a boat through a canal tunnel or adit containing water.

Early canal tunnels were built without a towpath as this would require a much larger bore, and hence cost more to build.

[1] In later years 'wing' boards were hooked on to the boat to make the operation safer.

At Crimson Hill tunnel, alternate stones in the walls were recessed to provide better tread for the leggers.

Legging was also the main form of propulsion used in the man-made adits in Speedwell Cavern until the boats were given electric motors.