Steam winch - circa 1880's - for hoisting/slewing jib

[Derek Warner]

Hi all - I am about 16 months into a 1/24 scale of the Australian inland PS Decoy - issue is
from photographs she clearly had a mast & boom jib (I am guessing of say 1/4 ton capacity max),
but I have no photographs of any Australian paddler that clearly depict the winch construction. So
apart from open geared reduction I am unsure of the typical steam winch construction used in that
1880's period ie.,

single piston?, twin piston?,
simple dog clutches for rope drums?
would the same rope drum have been used for slewing both to port & stdb by simply reversing the
rope turns? hoisting & lowering, again would one drum be used again by reversing the rope turns?

I seem to remember old ship movies of hoisting winch ropes spinning & smoking on the drums as
they took up the load - but that's all before hydraulic counterbalance & load holding & load sensing
valve's etc

Any response greatly appreciated - regards Derek

[Stuart Badger]

Hi all and Derek!

Regarding Derek's problem with finding info on a steam winch - there is a
very good book, the Ship Model Builders Handbook which contains numerous
drawings and photos in 336 pages of just these sort of items and the way
they were employed. The ISBN is 1-85486-206-5 by Tom Gorman at £15.96 (GBP)
It's available through Model Boats at http://www.modelboats.co.uk I'e loked
through the various builders drawings I have and they all seem to have a
blank space with the words 'steam winch' printed in!! very useful. I suppose
as with many pieces of ancillery equipment there were specialist suppliers
and the builders just ordered 'off the shelf'.

Reliant/Old Trafford is proceeding. I have uploaded 4 more photos to show
the progress so far. The inner paddle box/sponson house sides are in place
and I am about to start on the paddle boxes proper. I've thrown some paint
at the model and have installed the upper hull sides at the bow.

Bath tests have been completed and I'm pleasantly surprised. She seems to
'sit up' quickly when rolled so I'm hoping not to embark on a second hobby
of scuba diving to locate her in the pond!!

speak soon

Stuart Badger