New big quarterwheeler cruise ship in operation

[Hankwilliams]

Hi dear friends and neighbors,

this are  really sensational news! In April 2016 a new constructed quarter wheeler came into operation, the "MS Elbe Princess"
It`s no fake paddlewheeler, the rear paddles are functional, operated by two 750 hp Volvo diesel engines.
The ship will make cruises on River Elbe, River Havel and River Moldau. Through Mittellandkanal also connections to the Rhine and Danube river systems are possible.
As far I know, this is the first functional paddler build in this size since long time and also the first paddle cruise ship in Europa: Lenght 95 m, breath 10 m, draft is only 3 feet.
See: www.kreuzfahrten.de/Schiff/Croisi-Europe-MS-Elbe-Princesse-3167.html
also look: Elbe Princesse - wikipedia.

Thomas

[derekwarner_decoy]

Thanks Thomas......there is also a English translation tab on the WEB page..............

So  whilst it doesn't say, I suspect the stern wheels are independent & so providing the necessary steerability to navigate such rivers and birthing requirements

Derek

[Tug--Kenny]

Well, I've never seen that idea before.   

Does it really work to steer the ship  ?  I can picture the turbulence when one goes in the opposite direction.

ken

[Hankwilliams]

Yes, it´s as good as shure, that the paddlewheels are independent. But this isn`t new with quarterwheelers.
Once I`ve been on the Nile quarterwheeler "Karim". She has two independent steam engines, one for each paddlewheel.
The captain told me, that of course maneuverability is far improved compared with a rigid wheel connection.

For my impression, it´s pleasing, that the old tradition of paddlewheel ships will continue.

Thomas

[stephenf10]

There's a YouTube video showing the ship approaching a right hand bend but propelled only by the right wheel, which seems a bit odd to me. I suspect that the effect of asymmetric thrust would be negligible with such close wheels on such a long vessel.

[Hankwilliams]

Yes, Stephen, there are some videos on youtube, also I show the scene, when the ship turns right, but only with the  right wheel turning - it`s strange.
I guess, the effect with different revolutions per minute by the wheels alne isn`t very strong. The ship will have a bow thruster and rudders aft.
But another remarkableness: The wheels are rigid and not feathering!

Thomas

[Delaunay]

  Hello;
For the bow thruster: yes there is one.
For disengaging the rear wheels: yes they are independent.
Built in France, it is an extrapolation of Loire Presses which has the side wheels.
cordially
François

[Hankwilliams]

Thanks Francois.
About definition quarterwheeler look at: www.irfca.org/articles/steamboat-jhelum.html

Thomas

[stephenf10]

The wheels are rigid and not feathering!

Thomas

They certainly lift a lot of water into the air!

[Hankwilliams]

"Loire Princess"
another interesting big sidewheel river cruise ship, which I didn`t know until yet. See youtube and internet information.
Lenght 89 meter, breadht 11 meter. Like the "Elbe Princess"she was built in St. Nazaire shipyard, from construction it seems the predecessor.
Also the construction of the wheels seems equal, astonishing the rigid, not feathering paddles. Could it be, that the effect of feathering paddles isn`t as big as we guess? As far I know, grade of efficiency of rigid wheels is directly dependet about the diameter. Diameter of the wheels of this ships doesn`t seem very wide.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

The MS "Elbe Princess" gets new excenter geared paddlewheels. The reason seems not only in the lost of energy, but the very big waves of the rigid wheels. In some cases there was a endangerment of sport boats with capsizing canoes, rowing boats and small sailboats. Meanwhile the conversion must be ready.
The newspaper picture shows the dismantle of the old rigid wheels.

Thomas