PS Industry (Renmark, South Australia)

[Roderick Smith]

This boat has its own entry in the APAM Lopm thread.
Here are some photos from a cruise which I took in July, coincidentally celebrating my birthday aboard.  Normally I ski for my birthday.  In 2006, when there was no snow on 15.7, I cruised from Victoria Harbour via Yarra River to Hobsons Bay on a dinner-cruise ferry with a floorshow.  13 years earlier, friends had shouted by to a bay-cruise dinner; half way through the meal, the ship sank (see footnote).

The Industry cruise was held on the opening weekend of the SA school holidays.  My trigger for attending was a major open day at Cobdogla pumping museum.  There was a centenary celebration for the narrow-gauge steam loco which runs on the museum railway (previously it had worked on a railway in the area, serving a factory making irrigation pipes).  This museum is the home for PS Roy (also in the APAM Lopm thread).  The museum  was built around the two preserved Humphrey pumps: the only two ever in the southern hemisphere.  Only 12 were built, and the others were all in London.  The Cobdogla ones were decommissioned in 1965; one has been restored to working order, and is operated about four times per year; this was one such day.  See www.steamengine.com.au (in particular /ic/history/humphrey_pumps).  The rest of the museum's attractions were all operating.  I got to steer a traction engine: just like steering a paddleboat (line up a reference marker on the vehicle with a fixed reference in the distance).  Paddleducker Ned F was there, working to the same plan.  After viewing all of the Cobdogla tractions, we were aboard the 13.30 cruise (60 min instead of 90, because of a crew shortage) from Renmark, heading upriver.
First photo: preparing to depart.  Can you locate Ned in the photo?
Second photo: I was careful to take a closeup of the winch, as there has been a lot of interest in winches in other threads.  I also took a video when it was demonstrated working.
Third photo: the large boiler.  AFAIK, Industry is the fastest paddlesteamer on the river.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Footnote: My 45th was at a Williamstown (maritime suburb) hotel converted to a Titanic theme restaurant.  A feature is the simulated sinking, with sensasound, plus cameos performed by restaurant staff.

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & thanks Roderick for the .jpg of the steam winch from PS Industry..........I see this as a multi functional   unit

a) reversing lever [Port side to the left of the steam admission valve extended wheel]
b) Stdb side jypsy drum [approx 5:1 reduction] can be used for rope work on the first reduction
c) dog clutch on the first reduction shaft can engage the second (approx 14:1 reduction]  which would allow rope work on the Port gypsy drum or serious turns on the original wooden center drum
d) just lower of the Port  gypsy drum....I think is a DEAD man's foot pedal

I assume that this winch supplied the motive power  :boom to her main FWD jib crane/hoist via a series of roller bollards etc....would be interested to see the VIDEO when available

[Roderick Smith]

I have about nine video clips of Bangladesh scenes, and nine of Murray scenes (including PS Ruby and PS Industry's winch).  However, they are in Quicktime format, and average 20 MB each.  Is there a more efficient format?  How do I convert?
Further, my digital camera keeps on filming even after I have released the shutter, so all end in chaotic confusion of feet, sky & pocket, wasting the bandwidth.  How do I crop?

Probably Industry's winch was more complex than many, as the boat was designed as a workboat, with desnagging being one of its many duties.  It could also have been used at construction and maintenance sites, and possibly for rescue and salvage.  Hence, a wider range of gearing would be needed than on a boat which was just using the winch to haul itself out of trouble, or to assist with loading cargo.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[mjt60a]

....Further, my digital camera keeps on filming even after I have released the shutter....

With mine, I have to press the shutter (button) to start filming and press again to stop.