Paddleducks
Paddler Information => Preserved Paddle Ships => Topic started by: Roderick Smith on September 12, 2006, 07:35:58 PM
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In a response in the Swiss forum, the group's resident Australian paddlesteamer historian (Sean) deduced correctly that my avatar was taken aboard the replica PS Mary Ann. This was a wonderful project by Rivers and Riverboats Historical and Preservation Society (based at Mildura, a Murray River port). To mark the 150th anniversary of commercial paddlesteamer operation on Murray River, the society created this replica. The hull was funded privately, to be converted to a cruising houseboat after the event (we have lots of private-owner cruising paddleboats on the Murray). The boiler & engine were borrowed from a local Sunraysia steam-preservation group. The boat appeared at the March 2003 Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival (as a guest: it has a steel hull), then was ready for the major Randell-Cadell cruise later in the year. Back in 1853, Randell had left Goolwa (SA, where customs clearance was obtained) in March, but had to turn back on low water and return to his Mannum base. Meanwhile, Cadell had built Lady Augusta, and set out behind Mary Ann. Somewhere near the Murrumbidgee junction Cadell caught up to Randell: the two raced. Cadell was first into the site of the future Swan Hill, but Randell got further: to Maiden's punt, at what is now Echuca/Moama. With a replica Mary Ann completed, R&RH&PS set out to create a Lady Augusta lookalike (not a replica). If two buyers of a double length hull had been found, the vessel would have been full length. Instead, one family sponsored a shorter hull, and the vessel was completed (with a boiler & engine borrowed from a private owner) and ready for the ceremonial river voyage from Goolwa to Maiden's punt site, over August and September 2003 (the original dates). A fleet of private steamers and diesel paddleboats, plus some launches, accompanied the two keynote paddlesteamers. I visited the fleet at Wentworth - Mildura, Swan Hill, Murrabit, Koondrook/Barham, and Torrumbarry - Moama.
On 17.9, 150 years to the day, the fleet entered Swan Hill (with Lady Augusta leading).
On 27.9 (3 days later than the original), the fleet steamed in triumph into Echuca, met by most of the Echuca vessels joining at the rear for the last hour. Mary Ann led the procession to the site of Maiden's punt to round up.
Thanks to the generosity of the owner, I had been aboard PV Impulse from Torrumbarry, with the intermediate day spent aboard PS Mary Ann (the avatar photo).
The downriver fleet couldn't linger long in Echuca: with water falling, the boats had to leave promptly for the voyage home before notorious low-water spots would block their passage.
Since then, PS Mary Ann has appeared at various river events, including a second deployment from Mildura to Mannum & Goolwa. Its final cruise as a steamer was over 21-23.7.06, from Mildura to Wentworth & return to mark the 50th anniversary of the worst floods in a century, when humble small Ferguson grey tractors saved the town by helping to build levees and place sandbags. The rally attracted 298 Ferguson greys, plus 49 others. During the floods, paddlesteamers which had been out of use for some time were pressed into service to ferry supplies, fodder and stranded livestock.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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I to mark the 50th anniversary of the worst floods in a century, when humble small Ferguson grey tractors saved the town by helping to build levees and place sandbags.
Don't know if anyone is at all interested but I have some original COLOUR photos of Mannum (where the original Mary Ann was launched) during those 1956 floods. I can scan and post if interested.
Regards
Martin
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I am certainly interested in seeing Martin's 1956 flood photos.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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A flood of the 1956 magnitude is unlikely to occur again, with new dams in Queensland, the Menindee Lakes scheme in NSW, enlargement of Lake Hume and Lake Eildon, and the building of Lake Dartmouth. River communities are marking the 50th anniversary with a range of events:
* 22-23.7: Celebrations in Wentworth. Shortage of crew prevented one paddle vessel towing barge A11 from Mildura, carrying a tractor and caravan (as barge Vega did for a trip up the Darling during the 1956 flood).
* Barge Dart (based at Goolwa) has been fitted with a historical display. It will be towed up the SA stretch of the Murray by PS Oscar W (and possibly PS Industry), pausing at all river towns for local inspection. However, Industry is undergoing some replanking through October.
The exhibition was launched on Sun.27.8 in Renmark. It contains historic photographs, film footage and memorabilia of the flood, which devastated many South Australian communities over three months from August 1956. The exhibition will be displayed from Renmark to Goolwa with contributions sourced from residents, the State Library of South Australia and newspaper archives. A commemorative book containing personal memories of the event, Recollections Of The 56 Flood, would be launched during the ceremony.
During the flood, the peak daily flow to SA was 341 gigalitres - enough to fill Adelaide’s Mount Bold reservoir seven times a day. The total flow to SA was about 48,000 gigalitres, which at the 1956 rate of consumption, would have been enough to supply Adelaide for 250 years.
By comparison, SA’s minimum entitlement flow from interstate is 1850GL of Murray water a year, but on average, SA usually receives about 4800GL. The Living Murray Initiative First Step is aiming to return 500GL to the river by 2009.
The exhibition will remain at Renmark until September 5 when it begins its journey along the length of the river to eventually close in Goolwa on November 18, making numerous stops along the way. These dates correspond with the progression of the peak floodwaters in 1956.
Here are some of the dates in Berri, Barmera and the surrounding districts:
- Friday September 2006 - Tuesday 12 September 2006
The 1956 Flood Travelling Display - Marquee and Barge Berri Riverfront - Open for public viewing.
- Friday 22 September 2006
Travelling Display and Barge arrive at Kingston-On-Murray, display in Hall.
Sunday 24 September 2006
Activities including rallyand display of Riverland Vintage and Classic Car Club Vehicles
Evening Picture Show on the Riverbank at Kingson-On-Murray.
- Sunday 1 October 2006
56 Flood Open Day Cobdogla Irrigation Museum.
* Over 14-15.9, PS Marion is cruising from Mannum (SA) to Swan Reach, to run short cruises there on 16 & 17.9 in conjunction with the flood commemoration). It will also cruise on 14 & 15.10 at Mannum for commemoration events there. See www.psmarion.com.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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I must say I do like the simplicity of the Mary Ann Replica...I think it's a nice looking boat and a shame that it won't be like that forever! I had no idea that it was still around for the flood commemoration though! The papers reported more on tractors than paddlers in the paper....hmmph once again we were let down! Mind you there was another article in the travel section that featured the Coonawarra during the celebrations of the flood. Interesting read...I kept it too...I tend to keep that kidn of stuff...anything with a paddler on it I keep! I once drew a paddler on a plastic cup and I kept it...I live a sad sad life! :)
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Here is the lookalike of PS Lady Augusta, parading at Mildura during the arrival of the Randell Cadell 150th anniversary fleet, on Sat.6.9.03. Moored on the far bank are PV Mayflower (from Morgan) and PV Akuna Amphibious (from Akuna Homestead).
IIRC Lady Augusta has an 18 m hull. The first concept was for it to be about 30 m (ie the original length). At the conclusion of the rally, the hull would be divided, with an extra stern added to the front half, and an extra bow added to the rear half. There were not two private sponsors available, so only this amount was constructed. The original had two main-deck cabins; this look alike has preserved the concept.
Lady Augusta was the wife of SA colonial governor Sir Henry Fox-Young, a man of energy and vision. He sponsored the development of river trade for the economic benefits which it would bring to his colony. He spearheaded the project to link the river at Goolwa to the sea port at Port Elliot with a railway. That 150th anniversary was celebrated in May 2004, with another river event (future post topic). Sir Henry went on to govern Tasmania. Port Augusta (SA) was named after his wife.
The lookalike ran as a steamer for the last time in July 2004, to Junction Rally at Wentworth. The borrowed boiler and engine were returned to the private owner. The hull owner has since installed a diesel, remote control, and enclosed the wheelhouse. The vessel is now PV 'Matthew James'. The owner has plans for considerable extra work as time permits: enclosing the central section to provide a decent lounge/dining area, and rebuilding the sponsons and paddleboxes.
Matthew James was one of the boats cruising to the recent flood-anniversary rally: I was a grateful guest (my photo of the trio at Wentworth was taken from MJ's wheelhouse).
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Thanks for all the info- sounds like a good gathering.
The Mary Ann looks fascinating, totaly unlike most Australian paddlers and more like a very early 19th century European paddler, Any chance of some detail photos showing the hull shape, interior layout, power arrangemrnt (is she chain driven) and if possible a sketch or drawing of her and any pictures of the original. A big request, but she is so different to all the other Aussie paddlers we have covered, she deserves some special coverage of her own. Thanks, Walter.
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Walter, that could be because William Randell had never seen a paddle steamer in his life! He built the boat and the engine and she carried a square boiler which was apprently like an accordian when it ran!
The design you see now of our paddle boats was for a simple reason- demand...it came to a period in time where the best possible boat had been created to suit the river- space, protection from elements etc!
However to your other requests I'm sure Roderick can work something out for you, he knows a lot...more than me, actually he finally stumped me on one boat being constructed...mind you I've got all his other questions!
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A quote from Sean....
"actually he finally stumped me on one boat being constructed...mind you I've got all his other questions"
Hey Sean.... I speak on behalf of all PD's... & we acknowledge & respect :respect your contributions to our OZ paddler history in our WORLD WIDE PD venue over the past years
I have not spoken with PJ or Eddy yet :gather but feel sure there will not be any contest as your are our OZ representative historian....
I am sure all other PD's from around the globe when reading our OZ PD history as provided by you would agree................regards - Derek :D
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As Sean mentioned,
William Randell was the son of a flour miller. His venture was to carry the family flour to Echuca, for conveyance by bullock cart to the burgeoning goldfields of Bendigo. I don't know how he derived his design.
The wineglass stern for the replica was the result of research by marine historian Dick Bromhead, who runs a boatyard near Mannum, and lives aboard a housebout built from the former PS Decoy.
Notice also the tiller steering.
The original (and replica) also used sail assistance.
Randell built his boat at Gumeracha (eastern flanks of Lofty Ranges), and hauled it behind bullocks to Noa No to be assembled and launched. There is a commemorative plaque at the site today.
Cadell based his design on contemporary Mississippi River practice.
Sean is too modest: he did beat me with a photo quiz too (I had the correct answer as my third choice of three, following two wrong ones).
When time permits, he will resume his Australian research postings; I will support him with photos of those boats where he doesn't have a photo of his own.
I don't have any working drawings of the replica Mary Ann, but it is possible that they may be obtainable and obtained.
The evolution into the classic Australian style was rapid.
The important feature was shallow draft. Side paddles were far more common than stern. Many/most towed barges laden with wool or timber.
The raised stanchion on Lady Augusta is a towing point. Towing from there rather than the stern maintained manoevrability. IIRC all were woodburning, and today's are too.
The rivers were highly seasonal, ~6 months per year with navigable water.
There are lots of stories about being stranded, or escaping being stranded by travelling on the depth of the bow wave, or of winching over shallow spots to reach deeper water, or of cruising right up to the shearing shed during floods.
One outcome of federation was the design of a lock & weir system to make the Murray navigable in all seasons from Goolwa to Echuca. One result of the depression was cutting the scheme back: only 1-11, 18 & 26 were built. The locks were designed to hold a tow vessel and two barges. Cruising to Mildura (and Colignan/Nangiloc is possible for most boats all year round, but above there depends on seasonal flows.
The first lock in Australia was built at Bourke (Darling River) in the 1890s.
It isn't just the boats about which river enthusiasts are passionate, but this whole era of Australian history. This was captured in the film 'River kings' and the tv series 'All the rivers run', both of which used Echuca boats (under false names) for the boating scenes.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Hi PD's & yes Roderick...... Karina & I were privilaged to have a cup of tea on board the HULK of PS Decoy with the house boat owner & historian Dick Bromhead back in Y2003....., my stand off scale 1:25 model of PS Decoy continues.... complete with a Scottish built boiler......
Welcome to our paddler [PD] site........... regards Derek
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So when are we getting some more Murray paddle steamer biographies, we've more or less finished Echuca, a few weeks ago you were going to do Enterprise then move on down the river, but there seems to have been nothing since then
Â
Alistair
----- Original Message -----
From: thewharfonline (preserved@paddleducks.co.uk)
To: preserved@paddleducks.co.uk (preserved@paddleducks.co.uk)
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 9:14 AM
Subject: RE: PS Mary Ann replica [Australia]
Walter, that could be because William Randell had never seen a paddle steamer in his life! He built the boat and the engine and she carried a square boiler which was apprently like an accordian when it ran!
The design you see now of our paddle boats was for a simple reason- demand...it came to a period in time where the best possible boat had been created to suit the river- space, protection from elements etc!
However to your other requests I'm sure Roderick can work something out for you, he knows a lot...more than me, actually he finally stumped me on one boat being constructed...mind you I've got all his other questions!
APAM- Australian Paddler Appreciaiton Month
Show your support for Aussie Paddlers this month on www.paddleducks.co.uk (http://www.paddleducks.co.uk)
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Yeh sorry about the delay, I'll write something up now before I go off to work! I've been pretty busy organising my play at the moment, I'm a few weeks off opening night so it's been a bit hectic!
Ok Enterprise...everyone go and check out the APAM board!
And I don't expect to be in competition with Roderick, he's been a great support in me getting out and working on the Grebe again to try and get it ready for the 2007 River Run where Ruby and Canally will be celebrating their 100th birthdays, hopefully my little boat can be part of the flotilla!
Dick Bromhead would have Mary Ann plans wouldn't he Roderick?
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Here is a photo of the PS Mary Ann replica at Mannum during its second SA cruise.
It attended an engineering rally at Murray Bridge.
Here it is at Mannum for the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the return to service of PS Marion. The photo is taken from the top deck of Marion, and shows Randell's dry dock, which is part of the maritime museum in which Mannum visitor centre is based. The dock had been a floating one, then was built into the area here. When Marion was preserved statically (from the early 1960s), it was in the dock.
Mary Ann stayed at the bottom end to make a guest appearance at the 2005 Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival (in March), then returned to Mildura.
A new Australian play is based on Randell's life and his contribution to river commerce. However, I have been unable to obtain a ticket.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 02:05:50 +0100
"Roderick Smith" wrote:
Here is a photo of the PS Mary Ann replica at Mannum
during its second SA cruise.
It attended an engineering rally at Murray Bridge.
Here it is at Mannum for the celebrations marking the
10th anniversary of the return to service of PS Marion.
The photo is taken from the top deck of Marion, and
shows Randell's dry dock, which is part of the maritime
museum in which Mannum visitor centre is based. The dock
had been a floating one, then was built into the area
here. When Marion was preserved statically (from the
early 1960s), it was in the dock.
Mary Ann stayed at the bottom end to make a guest
appearance at the 2005 Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival (in
March), then returned to Mildura.
A new Australian play is based on Randell's life and his
contribution to river commerce. However, I have been
unable to obtain a ticket.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
Attachments:
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk//forum/files/041113su_b_mannum_rsmith_146.jpg
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I have followed up an earlier request for plans of the replica Mary Ann. They are not available from the building team in Mildura. As Sean suggested, they may be available from the designer, but I will not be in Mannum until Mar.07.
Here is another of Mary Ann at Mannum, this time with PS Marion (about to cruise for Friends of Marion, to mark the 10th anniversary of its restoration to operational condition).
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Ciao Roderick,
Sorry Fingertrouble
Best regards
Henri
On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:46:39 +0100
"Roderick Smith" wrote:
In quoting my previous post, Steamyacht Stoker forgot to
add his intended message: Please reveal it.
I have followed up an earlier request for plans of the
replica Mary Ann. They are not available from the
building team in Mildura. As Sean suggested, they may be
available from the designer, but I will not be in Mannum
until Mar.07.
I am continuing with my existing scans of the replica.
Here is another of Mary Ann at Mannum, this time with PS
Marion (about to cruise for Friends of Marion, to mark
the 10th anniversary of its restoration to operational
condition).
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
Attachments:
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk//forum/files/041113su_c_mannum_maryann_and_marion_rsmith_143.jpg
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lol The Australian Play that Roderick refers to is mine, I'm performing as Randell for my solo.
However if you'd like to buy the rights to this 5 minute play I will sell them for $10,000 for amature theatre companies and $20,000 for big professional companies! Just kidding. Hopefully I will be producing the performance on some form of video. It will be performed on Friday and yes its not a public event!
Sean
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Hi PD's - Roderick - :ohno I had missed the thread :sorry - clearly now a replica of the [1852] PS Mary Anne exists, so all of the hard research & design work is completed by others - just :thinking about it - :?: Derek
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Well PS Mary Anne no longer exists but there are still (I'm sure) the designs and plans available and Roderick has a large amount of photos I'd say!
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Mary Ann was towed from Mildura to Nangiloc by PV Matthew James over Sat.29-Sun.30.7. On Sat.5.8, it would steam for the last time, to a private slip at Colignan, where the steam plant would be removed, then the hull would be taken from the water to be repowered and reconfigured by the owners.
I enclose another of this vessel, showing the auxiliary sail being hoisted.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Matthew James towing Mary Ann, Red CLiffs
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It would still have been named Lady Augusta at the time of that photo wouldn't it Michael?
Is there anything excitingly new with Matthew James or the Mary Ann (can't remember her new name) has any new work been completed on either private vessel?
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Matthew James(i keep thinking James Maiden!!) has a diesel engine in it, supposed to have its paddleboxes changed and a saloon built over the engine, which is still open at the moment. Also a picket railing around the wheelhouse, I'm sure Rod could add, he's been on it.
Mary Ann is somewhere on Mansells block being worked on, not sure what she will look like
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From recent news items:
* PS Mary Ann: Rivers & Riverboats Historical & Preservation Society handed over the replica vessel to the hull's owners on 23.7.05. The boiler & engine would be kept in situ until mid 2006, then would be returned to the owning group. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34, Nov.06 RNV)
* PS Lady Augusta: By Sept.05, the lookalike vessel from the 2003 celebrations had been handed over to the hull's owner. The boiler & engine had been removed; a diesel engine was being fitted. It would be cruising again from the end of the year, as PV Matthew James. By Aug.06, the wheelhouse had been enclosed. The vessel was part of the fleet running to Wentworth for the Ferguson-tractor rally. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34)
From Aug.06 RNV [some or all which I have posted before]:
To mark the 50th anniversary [of the major Murray Darling flood at Wentworth], a major rally was held over Sat.22 & Sun.23.7. During the week, restored PS Ruby was towed across Darling River from its restoration wet dock in Fotherby Park, to be moored just below the town wharf for the weekend, available for inspection (and serving Devonshire teas). On Friday, PV Coonawarra (now ~55 years old) cruised from Mildura to Wentworth. It provided b&b accommodation at Wentworth, and short cruises, returning on Monday. On Friday, a fleet of private paddleboats left Mildura for Wentworth, staging at Abbotsford Bridge overnight (the lifting span will be raised only at 7.00, 10.00 & 14.00).
* PS Mary Ann: The replica of the first Murray River paddlesteamer was built for the 2003 150th anniversary, and was making its last cruise with a steam engine. The privately-owned hull would have superstructure added, to be used as a cruising houseboat.
* PV Matthew James: The lookalike PS Lady Augusta from the 2003 celebrations, now with a diesel, and to be further modified by its private owners.
* PV Impulse
* PV Shiralee
* PV Miralie
* PS Tarney
* One houseboat.
The rally attracted 347 tractors, of which 298 were the classic Ferguson grey...
A preserved ex-army amphibious vehicle (dukw) made a demonstration launching, carrying passengers. These vehicles/vessels had ferried supplies to isolated communities up Darling River in 1956. See www.wentworth. nsw.gov.au/fergie, www.murrayriver. com.au/boating/paddlesteamers/pbcoonawarra/ cruises_charter.htm & www.pbcoonawarra.com.au.
The photo which Michael posted was taken on 29 or 30.7.06, probably by Frank Tucker. The towing vessel was certainly Matthew James by this date; the wheelhouse roof isn't showing clearly, but is there.
I enclose the one of me steering Matthew James (quite genuinely: I had the wheelhouse for an hour, without the owner checking on my every move). The tendency in any boat is to oversteer and not anticipate. On the Murray, a very winding river, the flagpole on the stempost is not just decorative; it is the vital aid to precision steering without overcorrecting. Line up the pole with a landmark, watch the rate of change of the pole against the scenery, back off before the pole overshoots, so that it maintains its relative position. I had had an hour steering lesson aboard the large PS Marion (supervised very closely), and that put me in good stead for this opportunity. I finally chickened out when running with PV Shiralee parallel close to starboard, and another boat coming upriver (my port) to meet the mini fleet. The owner rounded his boat into the Darling (a sharp curve), and rounded up and docked at Wentworth (photo posted before, in the Mary Ann thread).
My own, smaller, boat is easier to keep straight, but I am often in rivers where I am zigzagging to avoid snags and fishing lines. I had a complete novice steering in a sheltered no-snag empty river, and he zigzagged and overcorrected.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Roderick.
That is some steering wheel you have there!
Are the rudder loads so big?
Nice report.
All the best
David
From recent news items:
* PS Mary Ann: Rivers & Riverboats Historical & Preservation Society
handed over the replica vessel to the hull's owners on 23.7.05. The
boiler & engine would be kept in situ until mid 2006, then would be
returned to the owning group. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV
p34, Nov.06 RNV)
* PS Lady Augusta: By Sept.05, the lookalike vessel from the 2003
celebrations had been handed over to the hull's owner. The boiler &
engine had been removed; a diesel engine was being fitted. It would be
cruising again from the end of the year, as PV Matthew James. By Aug.06,
the wheelhouse had been enclosed. The vessel was part of the fleet
running to Wentworth for the Ferguson-tractor rally. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS
Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34)
From Aug.06 RNV [some or all which I have posted before]:
To mark the 50th anniversary [of the major Murray Darling flood at
Wentworth], a major rally was held over Sat.22 & Sun.23.7. During the
week, restored PS Ruby was towed across Darling River from its restoration
wet dock in Fotherby Park, to be moored just below the town wharf for the
weekend, available for inspection (and serving Devonshire teas). On
Friday, PV Coonawarra (now ~55 years old) cruised from Mildura to
Wentworth. It provided b&b accommodation at Wentworth, and short cruises,
returning on Monday. On Friday, a fleet of private paddleboats left
Mildura for Wentworth, staging at Abbotsford Bridge overnight (the lifting
span will be raised only at 7.00, 10.00 & 14.00).
* PS Mary Ann: The replica of the first Murray River paddlesteamer was
built for the 2003 150th anniversary, and was making its last cruise with
a steam engine. The privately-owned hull will have superstructure added,
to be used as a cruising houseboat.
* PV Matthew James: The lookalike PS Lady Augusta from the 2003
celebrations, now with a diesel, and to be further modified by its private
owners.
* PV Impulse
* PV Shiralee
* PV Miralie
* PS Tarney
* One houseboat.
The rally attracted 347 tractors, of which 298 were the classic Ferguson
grey...
A preserved ex-army amphibious vehicle (dukw) made a demonstration
launching, carrying passengers. These vehicles/vessels had ferried
supplies to isolated communities up Darling River in 1956. See
www.wentworth. nsw.gov.au/fergie, www.murrayriver.
com.au/boating/paddlesteamers/pbcoonawarra/ cruises_charter.htm &
www.pbcoonawarra.com.au.
I can only assume that Michael's photo was taken in July 06, but the
wheelhouse roof on Matthew James is not showing, so it may have been taken
on an earlier tow. I am assuming that it is a Frank Tucker photo.
I enclose the one of me steering Matthew James (quite genuinely: I had the
wheelhouse for an hour, without the owner checking on my every move). The
tendency in any boat is to oversteer and not anticipate. On the Murray, a
very winding river, the flagpole on the stempost is not just decorative;
it is the vital aid to precision steering without overcorrecting. Line
up the pole with a landmark, watch the rate of change of the pole against
the scenery, back off before the pole overshoots, so that it maintains its
relative position. I had had a steering lesson aboard the large PS Marion
(supervised very closely), and that put me in good stead for this
opportunity. I finally chickened out when running with PV Shiralee
parallel close to starboard, and another boat coming downriver (my port)
to meet the mini fleet. The owner rounded his boat into the Darling (a
sharp curve), and rounded up and docked at Wentworth (photo posted before,
in the Mary Ann thread).
My own, smaller, boat is easier to keep straight, but I am often in rivers
where am zigazagging to avoid snags and fishing lines. I had a complete
novice steering it in a sheltered no-snag empty river, and he zigazagged
and overcorrected.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor>
Attachments:
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk//forum/files/060722sa_06_rbsskipperingmatthewjames_rsmith_995.jpg
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David Allinson asked if rudder loads required the wheel to be so large.
I can't answer, as the only wheels which I have handled have light loads (but is that because they are so large?). Certainly, skippers tell me that the large wheel makes the task easier. IIRC, everyone steers from the side, not standing behind the boss.
Paddleducker Michael has steered most of the Echuca commercial vessels now, and has learned a lot more of the technical side than I have.
I enclose a photo of PS Marion's wheel, and will shift it to APAM when the postings reach Mannum (SA). This boat is maintained and operated by the group Friends of Marion, and makes commercial cruises to raise the money to pay for the maintenance. The captain in charge must hold formal marine qualifications: AFAIK the same for harbour and coastal ferries as for river ones, and the qualification is transferable around Australia.
IIRC, this one doesn't have steam assistance: some do (but I may be remembering SS Earnslaw or the many stem tugs in which I have cruised).
The nature of Murray navigation is such that continuous correction is required: the curves in the river, the curves in the channel, correcting for wind and current changes, and avoiding incompetent houseboats.
Some of the rudder chains have a lot of slack, so there is a lot of wasted movement before making even a small correction.
I have just found two more wheel photos on the hard drive:
PS Ranger (I was just posing). The vessel is smaller, and the wheel is smaller. The cruise which Adam gave me that day was one of the contributing factors to my decision to buy a boat.
PV Temeraire, under construction. This is a larger vessel than Ranger, but the wheel is smaller.
I suspect that Matthew James doesn't need such a large wheel, but possibly it is a historic wheel, recycled from a scrapped larger vessel.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Very large wheels are not unusual when "Armstrong Power Steering" is fitted.
On American Mississippi steamers, the wheel was often so large that the hub was somewhere around the wheelsman's shins, and there was a slot in the wheelhouse deck to allow space for the bottom of the steering wheel.
This seems, however, to be more common on paddlers than on screw steamers. Perhaps that is because sidewheel steamers have very large rudders, since there is no propeller wash against the rudder; and sternwheelers often have multiple rudders. There's just more rudder to move.
I recently spend five days on the Clyde puffer VIC32 and she has no power steering, but a steering wheel of normal size. She was interesting to steer; she has a two cylinder compound, which, since the cranks are at 90 degrees, has a slight pulse in every revolution. That was felt quite clearly in the steering wheel.
I steered Enterprise at Canberra some years ago; she had a large wheel, although not, as I recall, as large as that shown with Rod, and she was very responsive.
Bill Worden
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PS Adelaide has a slit in the wheel house floor I noticed when I was engineering on her for the Heritage Fest.. Is that for the steering wheel.. or for the levers to control gears and speed?? The wheel, from what I remember does poke through a little bit..
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When Adam and I fired her up for a boiler exam we used the gap to see what was going on down below. You can see how the engine is moving and how fast, good for when accelerating I guess. I assume it is to see what's going on down in the engine.
I've driven Ranger and Pevensey officially but 'drove' Canberra when I was only a little tike! (Photo provided on this post)
James will say those on the Adelaide were a little worried when I was driving Ranger...Pevensey was huge and I had little support from the skipper who basically just handed her over...could have ended nasty, but luckily didn't, just reaffirmed that I wanted to be a steam engineer instead of a skipper!
Roderick has a series of photos of me scrambling to the Ranger and then onboard...I don't know if any are steering shots though!
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Yeah... we on Adelaide were petrified that Sean was going to sink us!!! Not really!! No one was really worried about it.. you were not that bad!!! The only boats I have had control over is the Marion, Oscar W, POTM, Canberra, Pev.. I am hoping to add to this as soon as I can!!