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They have it better than these poor gents
Australian boatman have it rough
great for core strength though
Easiest p90x workout
Clearly, they never skip leg day.
I've been told this was done mainly to steer the boat away from the side of the tunnels while the people in the rear used a pole to actually propel it. I'd love to know if this is true or not, there's precious few resources about the subject.
I grew up where the canal holiday industry was a big employer. Quite a lot of the staff used to work on towed barges in their young day. Legging is definitely how they got through tunnels. Barge poles are used to fend off after being moored up or to prevent collisions in narrow stretches. Once the barge was out the tunnel they'd throw a line to someone on the towpath and hitch back on to the horses.
The logic of it being for propulsion falls apart one they leave the tunnel and no longer have anything to push on.
Canal boats were traditionally towed by horses alongside on the tow path, but the paths don't go through tunnels so it's feasible that this was what they did to get through
Bet these dudes could rock some short shorts in the summer
what do they have playing on the radio? lionel richie?
Lionel Richie was 12 years old in 1961 and hadn't released any songs until then.
Lionel Richie Sr
That guy on the right is barely on there
There's a plank under their backs for support
Oh nice spotting. I didn't even see it.
1961 or 1861 lol
Sideways? Let me tell you those muscles tire quickly.
Unmotorized boat used by thieves notice a copper on their tail.
"Quick. Leg it!"
If you want to know more, there are videos posted by downielive on YT of canal tunnels that are pretty fascinating.