Freycinet gauge
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The Freycinet gauge (Template:Langx) is a standard governing the dimensions of the locks of some canals, put in place as a result of a law passed during the tenure of Charles de Freycinet as minister of public works of France, dating from 5 August 1879. The law required the size of lock chambers to be increased to a length of Script error: No such module "convert"., a width of Script error: No such module "convert". and a minimum water depth of Script error: No such module "convert"., thus allowing 300 to 350 tonne barges to pass through.[1]
Consequently, boats and barges, such as the péniche, built to the Freycinet gauge could not exceed Script error: No such module "convert". in length, Script error: No such module "convert". in breadth and a draught of Script error: No such module "convert".. Bridges and other structures built across the canals are required to provide Script error: No such module "convert". of clearance.[2]
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries many French canals were modernised to conform to the Freycinet standard. By 2001, Script error: No such module "convert". of navigable waterways in France corresponded to the Freycinet gauge, accounting for 23% of waterborne traffic.
European Classification
The Freycinet gauge corresponds to the Classification of European Inland Waterways class I gauge.
| European Inland Waterway Boat Classifications[2] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Capacity | Length | Width | Draught |
| 0 | Under 300 Tonne | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| I | 300 Tonne (the péniche) | 38.5 m | 5.05 m | 2.5 m |
| II | 600 Tonne | 50 m | 6.6 m | 2.5 m |
| III | 1000 Tonne | 67 m | 8.2 m | 2.5 m |
| IV | 1350 Tonne | 80 m | 9.5 m | 2.5 m |
| V | 2000 Tonne | 95 m | 11.5 m | 2.7 m |
| VI | 3000 Tonne and over | N/A | N/A | N/A |