The Haven (Boston)
The Haven is the tidal river of the Port of Boston in Lincolnshire. It serves as the outfall into the sea of the River Witham and several major land drains of the northern Fens, which are known collectively as the Witham Navigable Drains. It also provides access to the town and its docks for shipping from the Wash, one of the largest estuaries in the country and also fed by the Rivers Welland, Nene and Great Ouse. Nowadays, the activity has moved below the old centre of the town. The fishing fleet moors below the railway bridge and cargo vessels lie either in tidal berths beside the dock where there are handling facilities or in the dock itself where there are also facilities including the handling of containers. Access to the Haven from the River Welland is through the Grand Sluice, a tidal barrage which holds in the River Welland and releases flood water at low tide and then holds out the incoming high tide. Today, only pleasure craft such as the Boston Belle travel through the Grand Sluice lock into the Haven.
Boston Grand Sluice
The adjacent lock gates
The lock with the River Witham beyond
The Boston Belle about to leave for The Wash
The tidal Haven viewed through the lock gates
St Botolph's church is known as The Boston Stump
An incoming vessel passes by
The Boston Stump
The church tower is 83 metres tall
The town bridge
Boston riverside
A wreck is exposed at low water
The disused Boston Docks railway swing bridge
The riverside wharf
A cargo vessel moored at the wharf
The pilot cutter
The entrance to the town docks
A fishing boat arrives with the incoming tide
Approaching The Wash
The beacon marking the Boston Deep Channel
The Wash, now at high tide
Entering the River Welland
Seals are basking on the mudbanks
And water skiers are using the river
Fosdyke Yacht Haven is ahead
Now turned round and back down the River Welland towards The Wash
Passing another incoming vessel
Passing the marker beacon once more and into The Haven to Boston