Nieuport Plantation

Copyright: Contact The Charleston Museum Archives for publication quality images and credit instructions.

Description:

Sepia photograph of a diamond gate trunk from the river side and a flood gate at Nieuport Plantation located on the Combahee River.

Both types of gates were designed to allow the flow of water in and out of rice fields. Diamond gate trunks were made of solid walls and floors of brick or tabby with four doors (two on each end) designed to pivot off of two posts. These structures were generally located in a canal on the river side and when one set of doors opened the force of the water flowing through would open the second set of doors. Both sets of doors could also be opened at the same time to allow a flat or small boat access to the other side. Tidal flood gates were constructed with a door set at an angle that would pivot on a windlass designed to control the water flow between the river and the rice field.