Paddleducks
Paddler Information => Preserved Paddle Ships => Topic started by: Ned Feary on May 16, 2007, 09:26:43 PM
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Hi PDs
Somewhere I heard that you can't go on the Enterprise (on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra) while it is in steam. Is this true?
If it is true then that is just a waste of a good paddle boat,and we will cross Canberra off our list for our next holiday!
Ned
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Yeah that is true, had some mates up there in Januray while she was in steam, they even owned paddlesteamers and still they weren't allowed on. She's locked up over the colder months, while i was there i managed to talk the manager into letting me onboard. And even such she is very pretty to see, she never painted properly, the engine is all out of elignment, and the boiler it only rated to 50psi so she only travels slowly. A sad fate to a great little boat, she should have stayed at Echuca!
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Yeah you are right Michael she should have stayed at Echuca and it is where she/he was built.
Ned
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I was working at the Port of Echuca on the weekend just gone, and a couple came through the Sawmill Steam Display that happened to be deckies on the Enterprise, and said that she only is static, but for her 130th (I think) she will be taking a day of passengers.
They said that they can not take passengers because there are no facilities on board, and because it is owned by the Australian National Museum and represents a time (which was 1910 and the Enterprise's tug boat design) they cant change it to add seating or toilets.
Also, she was stuck on a sand bar and took 1 and a half weeks to winch get off.
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I had a look at the photo of PS Enterprise in steam on Sat.18.2.06, on a display day for a Friends of the Museum event (taken for Alistair's book, and not posted to Paddleducks). I had thought that the friends (who raise money for the museum and the preservation of the boat) were aboard: not so.
There are four people visible aboard: the captain, two deckies; the fourth may be the engineer standing on the back deck, or may be another deckie (with the engineer being a fifth).
This could be an insurance issue.
The boat does have handrails, one of the requirements for commercial survey.
There are/were other club-operated paddlesteamers which do/did not meet the requirements for commercial survey, but which can/could carry club members (eg the former replica PS Mary Ann).
I had thought that if any group could be aboard legitimately, members of Friends of National Museum of Australia would qualify: apparently not so.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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They are very strict on who is allowed on board the PS Enterprise, and I am not entirely sure why.. it is a pity though.
I wish it had stayed on the Murray, and joined the fleet of paddle steamers in Echuca or anywhere else.
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Here she is in July, last month. Hope it saved you a trip!!
Mind you it was bitterly cold when i was there
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It's really sad to see such a great little boat, which has been so beautifully restored, defiled by all that mesh caging around the superstructure & the out of place railings. It's difficult to make out her lines & the simplicity of design which make her so lovely.
I heard a couple of years back that she had been offered to the Port of Echuca by the National Museum for the cost of transporting her to the river. I'm not sure how acurate this is. Maybe Michael is aware of it?
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Hi PD's - is this really the Enterprise (on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra) :?: - I don't recognize the skyline
The mooring looks specifically made for the vessel...just steam into the cushioned fender posts & the land walkway gate lines up with the vessels hand chain entry walkway etc
The hand rails appear to be the maritime version seen in shopping centres - all stainless steel tube & wire with turn buckles & tensioners.... great for little children to get snagged on :shock: - but still better than the 1/2 galvanized water pipe versions
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Hey Mac, don't know anything about the offer to the port, If i did I would've gone up in the ute n trailer and brought her back!!!
Her engines are in need of work, apparently when her boiler was replaced they didn't re-line the engine and crankshaft, let alone she only cruises on 50psi, it would be very depressing to see her moving!
Canberra's city centre is more to the right of the photo's, was a very cold cloudy day.
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Hi,
To the best of my knowledge the Enterprise was never offered back to the Port - I remember sending the National Museum of Australia an email back in 2004 in regards to the Enterprise being sold back to Echuca, and I got no reply from them.
I think she is firmly in Government hands, as she was purchased by the Government for the Museum.
Although it's a shame to see her laying idle and pretty much un-used in Canberra, if she was brought back to the Murray, chances are that she would never be in survey and used commercially, she is just too small and top heavy.
Larger Vessels have had a hard enough time getting approval to operate commercially, so I don't hold out much hope of a passenger survey for the old girl.
Back in the 90's David Fitton obtained a survey for the Ranger, which allowed 20 passengers max. - this was short lived, however the Ranger has slightly more open deck space, and is single-decked, which tends to decrease the instability factor.
If you had too many people on the upper deck of the Enterprise, she would list pretty badly, her hull is only 15'6" in breadth. Actually speaking of listing badly, that photo of the Alexander Arbuthnot taken last October during the Fire Works display is just plain scary !!! - it looks as if she is about to capsize, actually her hull is 3 inches narrower than that of the Enterprise, so that goes to show you what could happen with too many people on one side.
It's a shame that many of these old boats are just too small for commercial use, and the politics of today's world.
I just heard that over in the US, the Delta Queen C.1926/27 will have her survey cancelled in November next year, simply because her superstructure is wooden, - funny isn't it - the very same country that can't build proper bridges and they go and pick on the poor old Delta Queen for having wooden superstructure, - I'm just so proud to be an Australian !!!
Michael, you mentioned that her Steam Engine and Crank Shaft are all out of alignment, - but by how much and can you tell just by looking ?
I remember one time Aaron told me that on the Adelaide, one cylinder sits about 1.5 inches higher than the other, - is this true ? - if it is then it doesn't seem to make much difference, she runs as sweet as a nut.
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Hi PD's .... & as Leith noted....
I remember one time Aaron told me that on the Adelaide, one cylinder sits about 1.5 inches higher than the other, - is this true ? - if it is then it doesn't seem to make much difference
So :thinking the explanation for this is that the engine two/twin cylinder cylinder/barrel axis to the crank shaft aligment is relatively in-consequentional
It is not the height of any singular component, but the relative alignment between multiple components........ I think it is time for a :beer
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I have just been sent a copy of this week's Waikerie (SA) newspaper, ie ~Wed.15.10.08.
It carries the surprising news that the boat is on display at Morgan (SA) from Sat.18.10 until early 2009 [19.10 edit: I agree with the alert later posters; the boat is not at Morgan, only photos and information panels. 'showcase one of its most popular (and oldest) objects' is highly-misleading text].
Here is the ocr text (with most errors corrected); I have attached the full pdf.
PS Enterprise steams into Morgan:
Step back in time and explore the history of one of the world's oldest working paddle steamers in a National Museum of Australia display on show at Morgan Maritime Museum on the riverfront, which will run from Sat.18.10 through to late Jan.09
Still Steamin': Commemorating 180 years of PS Enterprise examines the many lives of Enterprise, from its launch on Murray River in 1878, working as a cargo ship, floating store, fishing vessel, houseboat and show boat.
'This special anniversary display reveals the role of steam boats in Australia's transport and trade history and reminds us of the colonial rivalry between Victoria and SA', said National Museum Curator Cinnamon Van Reyk. 'It's also a chance for National Museum to showcase one of its most popular (and oldest) objects, paddlesteamer Enterprise, which is still in working condition'.
The Still Steamin' display, through a range of engaging text panels and images of objects from National Museum's collection, explores the introduction of the paddlesteamer as an important milestone in Australian history. PS Mary Ann, the first paddlesteamer to successfully ply the Murray was launched in 1853 and within a few years a booming river trade was born. While improved road and rail systems of the 20th century largely ended the use of paddlesteamers for freight, they continued to be used on the Murray-Darling river system as fishing vessels, houseboats and for tourist cruises. PS Enterprise was acquired by National Museum of Australia in 1984. As part of the museum's national historical collection; it illustrates the paddlesteamer's role in Australia's history to many thousands of visitors each year. Enterprise is staffed by a dedicated crew of volunteers, who ensure it is maintained in good working order and preserve the valuable skills of a bygone era.
The exhibition will be open 7 days per week, 10.00-16.00 most days.
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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I wonder if they're speaking metaphorically... Maybe there is a display of Enterprise related memorabillia and photos at Morgan, rather than the actual vessel?
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Hi all,
Doesn't actually say the boat is in Morgan.
The Still Steamin' display, through a range of engaging text panels and images of objects from the National Museum's collection
I read the article as being a display only, despite the alluring photo.
kiwi
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Roderick
April 13 2020 Paddlesteamer Enterprise is one of the National Museum of Australia's most important objects
PS Enterprise - nearly 150 years of solid service. Picture: National Museum of Australia
As you glance in a westerly direction from the Commonwealth Bridge, the dramatic architecture of the National Museum of Australia looms large. But if you drop your gaze to the shoreline, you'll see a white vessel moored to a jetty close to the main building.
Against the museum's radical, post-modernist sweep, this little boat is almost unnoticeable, and yet it is one of the museum's most significant historical objects. It is the Paddle Steamer Enterprise.
Paddle steamers were key to a pivotal change that took place in the interior of eastern Australia in the 19th century with the expansion of wool production. In 1797 the first merino sheep arrived in Australia and 16 years later the first commercial wool consignment was shipped to London. From that point the wool industry took off.
However, the immense tracts of land required to run sheep meant there was an ever-increasing demand for fresh pasture and by the middle of the 19th century the industry was running out of acreage. The vast interior of New South Wales, Victoria and southern Queensland held thousands of square kilometres of productive land but the distance to markets made much of it economically unviable.
In 1850, the government of South Australia recognised the potential of transport on the Murray-Darling river system and offered a reward of '£4,000 to be equally divided between the first two iron steamers of not less than 40 horsepower, and not exceeding two feet draft of water when loaded, as shall successfully navigate the waters of the River Murray to the junction of the Darling'.
The first paddlesteamer on the Murray was Mary Ann. The frame of the Mary Ann was built by the Randell brothers in Gumeracha, South Australia, and then transported, finished and launched at Noa-No near Mannum, in February 1853. It wasn't until August of that year that it began its maiden voyage upriver.
At the same time, Captain Francis Cadell had negotiated directly with the colonial government to pilot a vessel through the Murray mouth and further upriver. Cadell's paddle steamer was constructed by the Thomas Chowne shipyards in Pyrmont, Sydney. Aware of the politics of his venture, he named it Lady Augusta after the wife of the South Australian governor.
Lady Augusta sailed south from Sydney and through the Murray mouth in August 1853. The race for the Darling was on. By 14 September, just beyond the Murrumbidgee junction, Lady Augusta passed the Mary Ann and Cadell reached Swan Hill on 17 September, four hours before Randell. The race proved that river trade was possible and this signalled a seismic shift in the Australian economy. The middle of the 19th century had been dominated by the gold rushes but as the century wore on more and more of the nation came to be riding on the 'sheep's back'.
In the late 19th century, the Australian colonial economies were some of the strongest in the world, and the states of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales were seen as world leaders in progressive social policies.
The opening up of the Murray River, however, increased interaction and tension between the settlers and Indigenous people in the basin. The Murray had been home to at least 20 different Aboriginal nations but the influx of land-hungry colonists bringing with them a range of diseases for which Indigenous people had no immunity resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
“Over nearly 150 years of service, the Enterprise has worked as a cargo ship, floating store, fishing vessel and houseboat. It is one of the oldest functioning paddle steamers in the world.”
PS Enterprise was built at the height of the Murray-Darling river trade in 1876 by the timber merchant William Keir at Echuca on the Murray. Like most of the Murray paddle steamers of the time it was constructed of river red gum, in this case sourced from the great Barmah forest.
The Enterprise is still powered by the original, single expansion, twin-cylinder 12-horsepower engine made by Beverley Iron Co. in England. A shallow draft hull made it suitable for dealing with the river system's wildly varying water levels. Over nearly 150 years of service, the Enterprise has worked as a cargo ship, floating store, fishing vessel and houseboat. It is one of the oldest functioning paddle steamers in the world.
PS Enterprise was the first significant object purchased, in 1984, for the Museum by founding director Dr Don McMichael. At the time the government was deep in debate about funding a display space for the National Historical Collection and McMichael decided, in order to forward the case, that a dramatic, engaging object that told a comprehensive story about Australia in a multi-sensory way was needed. The PS Enterprise fulfilled that role. After a full refit in Echuca, the Enterprise was launched in Lake Burley Griffin in time for the Bicentenary celebrations of 1988.
PS Enterprise continues to be one of the National Museum of Australia's most important objects, looked after by a crew of dedicated volunteers and the museum's professional conservation staff.
Although the museum's doors are temporarily closed, staff are working behind the scenes to keep bringing Australia's remarkable stories to you online. There's something for kids and adults with videos, interactives and audio on demand.
Visit nma.gov.au for details about other objects and exhibition.
<www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6718873/steaming-a-way-through-pivotal-change-at-national-museum>
200413M-'CanberraTimes'-Enterprise
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OCTOBER 31 2020 National Museum's 1878 paddle steamer to return soon to the lake Megan Doherty
Paddle Steamer Enterprise hopes to be back in action soon.
The National Museum of Australia hopes to have its historic paddle steamer churning through the waters of Lake Burley Griffin again by as early as next week.
The 1878 paddle steamer Enterprise has been waylaid at the jetty of the museum for the past 10 months, unable to operate because of bushfire smoke and then the coronavirus.
New maritime laws have also strengthened safety rules and forced the museum to seek, for the first time, a manager to oversee the maritime operations of the vessel and help update the training of volunteers who would continue to crew it.
The museum's head of collection care and management, Linda Byrne, said the dedicated volunteers were mostly elderly, and the interior of the vessel was cramped and not made for 21st century social distancing, which had forced a stop to the regular cruises around the lake.
The National Museum's head of Collection Care and Management Linda Byrne with senior large technology conservator Nathan Pharaoh and large technology conservator Craig Webb this week with the 1878 Paddle Steamer Enterprise. Picture: Megan Doherty
The paddle steamer, run by a wood-fired boiler, is originally from Echuca, on the Murray River, and is one of oldest working paddle steamers in the world.
Senior large technology conservator Nathan Pharaoh said the vessel had been part of the museum collection since 1984, restored in Echuca before being moved to its new home on the lake in 1988.
"Throughout its life, it was used to pull barges up and down the Murray, mainly for wool trade," he said.
"It was also used as a hawker, which is basically a shop. It's been a fishing vessel, it's been a private residence, it's been a showboat. It's mainly been continuously operating since 1878."
Ms Byrne said modern-day maritime legislation had been updated and the museum was trying to navigate its way through it, with the help of the new manager, securing an exemption to get that done.
"Vessels of this age don't really fit neatly into that [legislation]," she said.
Cruises for the public were not practical because only nine people could be on the paddle steamer at a time, six of whom had to be crew.
Ms Byrne said the museum was implementing COVID-safe practices so the public could enjoy static displays of the paddle steamer, which could dock at different locations around the lake, especially during large events.
It was also keen to attract more volunteers to ensure the paddle steamer could be used into the future.
She hoped the paddle steamer could be again a fixture on the lake as early as next week.
<www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6992295/national-museums-1878-paddle-steamer-to-return-soon-to-the-lake>
One photo was a repeat of an earlier one, posted earlier in this thread.
Attached is the second. 201031Sa-'CanberraTimes'-PS_Enterprise
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If passengers cannot be carried why not revert to towing a period looking barge fitted with suitable seating, not much different then to railway transport or an open top single deck bus. John
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I haven't been aboard, even statically. I'm not sure whose rules apply in ACT. I suspect for the few vessels on the lake, the ACT government adopts NSW rules.
It may well be possible to take passengers yet. Hitherto, only members of Friends of the Museum could go out.
Apart from covid19 spacing, it may be possible to work around the other regulations.
PS Marion has exemptions from certain of the regulations, notably those regarding wheelchair access. The edges of all stair treads have safety-yellow strips.
Crossing Lake Alexandrina could be done with crew only until a few years ago. It may take passengers, but must meet solas requirements, has a restricted complement, and a maximum predicted wind strength.
Roderick