Nieuport Plantation

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Description:

Sepia photograph of the entire view of a diamond gate trunk at Nieuport Plantation located on the Combahee River. Note the brick walls.

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 used for water control on rice plantations and were generally located in a canal on the river side. When one set of doors was 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.