Hammerfort Lock Ruins

While exploring the cycle path, you will come across a piece of engineering art that today only exists in fragments: the Hammerfort lock. Despite the decay, you can still clearly see how cleverly the old construction was designed. It allowed two ships to be locked at the same time. One ship entered and was maneuvered to the side while the second was steered directly into it. When leaving, the first ship left the lock directly, and the second followed after a sideways movement.This efficient method saved space and time. If you would like to experience the principle in action, you will find it still in operation on the Finow Canal.It is impressive how such technical solutions of that time influenced trade and transport. The Hammerfort lock is a silent testimony to history, a reminder of the technology of the last century and the effects of the war, which also affected the Friedrich Wilhelm Canal.

Another lock on the Friedrich Wilhelm Canal that was destroyed in World War II.

The lock, or what's left of it, is properly called Hammerfort. But you can see the old design for the simultaneous locking of 2 ships. The first in and to the side, the second straight in and lock. At the exit, the first goes straight out, the second over and then out. Thus, despite the short design, 2 beer barges could always be locked at the same time. A clever design! Incidentally, this can still be seen in operation on the Finow Canal.