Welcome new members

[daniel Munoz]

Well, I think I have to stop my lurking mode, as I'm exposed by the nice
welcome message :-)
I'm not very familiar with Paddlewheeler boats, but I always found the
intricate mechanism fascinating. The first time I've seem the description of
one was in Wolfram zu Mondfeld's Historic Ship Models, where a paddlewheel
with moving paddle is drawn. I've also seen a marvelous model of
Paddlewheeler imperial yacht from French National Maritime museum, a very
lovely one (btw, this model is exposed right now in Quebec city, with
numerous other marvelous models from Paris museum). I think that's all I
know from Paddlewheeler boats :-)))

A few words about me : I'm 35, married, self-employed Windows programmer,
French citizen living in the beautiful Quebec City.

Regarding modeling, I'm a very beginner in shipbuilding, I've bought a
monograph from Ancre (www.ancre.fr) La Belle, and plan to start
scratch-build it in the months to come. I'm also interested in miniature
work in general, and metal work in particular. I'm the owner of a Sherline
lathe and mill (and a very beginner too in machining!), and this is where
the PaddleDucks group came through : I'd love to build a wheel mechanism as
described in Wolfram zu Mondfeld's Historic Ship Models, but when I'll have
more experience of course. And maybe build also the boat around the wheel,
who knows. In the meantime I wanted to look your files area, and grab some
useful information to improve my knowledge about Paddlewheeler boats while
reading your mails.

Thank you for your welcome,

Daniel Munoz
Quebec, Canada.

[Paulrjordan]

I'm sure you must be talking about the "feathering paddle" (which is
the topic of much conversation with sidewheeler enthusiasts) In fact
so much so we have devoted an entire folder to this subject. The
mechanism is intriguing and fascinating to watch in operation.

check out the folder called >"THE FEATHERING WHEEL" at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paddleducks/files/

We are always looking to increase our knowledge on this subject so if
you have photographs or can scan drawings of the mechanism you have
seen in Wolfram zu Mondfeld's Historic Ship Models book, please feel
free to upload them into the folder.

Virtually all modelers we have heard from who have actually made
feathering wheels say they do not really increase the efficiency of an
operating R/C model (most of the mechanism is hidden anyway) However
out of the water the intricate rods and eccentrics look GREAT!

>... And maybe build also the boat around the wheel,

Wouldn't be the first time, Daniel! ...the whole subject of
paddlewheelers is a fascinating one and encompasses well over 100
years of the greatest diversity in ship engineering and design
...Transatlantic GIANTS to little Steam Tugs on the Murray river in
Australia...powerful Naval Paddle tugs and fighting ships to little
logging paddlers in Northern Canada...elegant American and Canadian
side and sternwheelers to busy little river towboats... sleek
European sidewheel Excursion steamers to the private yachts of
royalty...they're all here somewhere. Do take a look around our files
and you will discover paddle wheelers you would never have imagined.
(We are always on the lookout for the outrageous and bizarre which
might well become a subject for modeling one day.)

Please feel free to ALWAYS ask ANY questions from the group and
keep us up to date on ANY of your modeling projects. Once again
welcome.

PJ

[Dan D Sparks]

Well Hello!

Thank you for the warm reception. I have to agree with Daniel
Munos "I think I have to stop my lurking mode, as I'm exposed by the
nice welcome message :-)"!

I'm actually a model railroader of the 1880s era. I intend to build a
large HO scale wharf scene that was typical of southern California in
the 1880s. Railroads built their rails directly on the wharves so
that the ocean going ships could load/unload their cargo directly
from/onto freight cars. Ports were very important but a seldom-
modeled terminal for railroads.

Currently I'm more than a 1/4 the way through building a wood model
of the clipper "The Flying Cloud". It will be moored at the wharf and
having its hold unloaded onto waiting flat cars. It is my
understanding that Clippers by the 1880s were all but obsolete,
carrying rather "unglamorous" cargo? Thus it seems that my model
clipper should look like it has seen better days, i.e. weathered? I
noticed on most model ships the copper bottom looks brand new. But
what would it look like on a ship that has gone around the horn a few
times? I'm currently experimenting with a craft store product
called "antique it"(?) for giving furniture an antique look. I'm
applying it on the copper plates that give the copper bottom an
old "Patina" look. I will be taking "before and after" pics if you
would like to see them. I have never seen what actual copper plates
look like on ships so I don't know if the effect is realistic.

Across the wharf from the clipper, I would like to have a more "state-
of-the-art" ocean going steamer. This, I guess, is
where "Paddelducks" comes in? What would be a "state-of-the-art"
ocean going steamer of the 1880s? Would it be a paddelwheeler?
Something typical of southern California. Maybe a Pacific Steamship
Co. ship? What's available in kits around the 1/87th to 1/90th scale
range? It seems that there is absolutely nothing in any scale! I
might have to scratch build, which is okay, but I will need plans,
drawings, photos. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Am I
going to get addicted to paddelduck modeling?!?

Looking forward to joining the ranks of Paddelduckers!
Thanks
Dandy

[Ron Gillies]

Hi .... I am the Canadian lurker <g>

My name is Ron Gillies and I am the director of a small western Canadian prairie city library.

My interest in paddlewheelers comes from two directions: About 20 miles north of me is the North
Saskatchewan River (110 west by about 53 north on a map) that served as a vital link in opening
the prairies using paddle steamers.

I also have a long time interest in Napoleonic naval fiction and have been fascinated by the
impact of steam on the Royal Navy (and others of course). Although six months of the year the
weather is not good, I have hopes of building replicas and sailing (or perhaps even steaming )
them on the lake on one of our local parks.

I'm here to learn and find out .... the motto of all librarians <g>

Ron Gillies
Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada