PS Mary Ann replica [Australia]

[Roderick Smith]

I have followed up an earlier request for plans of the replica Mary Ann.  They are not available from the building team in Mildura.  As Sean suggested, they may be available from the designer, but I will not be in Mannum until Mar.07.

Here is another of Mary Ann at Mannum, this time with PS Marion (about to cruise for Friends of Marion, to mark the 10th anniversary of its restoration to operational condition).

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[steamyacht]

Ciao Roderick,
 Sorry Fingertrouble
 Best regards
 Henri

On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:46:39 +0100
"Roderick Smith" wrote:

In quoting my previous post, Steamyacht Stoker forgot to
add his intended message: Please reveal it.
 
 I have followed up an earlier request for plans of the
replica Mary Ann. They are not available from the
building team in Mildura. As Sean suggested, they may be
available from the designer, but I will not be in Mannum
until Mar.07.
 
 I am continuing with my existing scans of the replica.
 Here is another of Mary Ann at Mannum, this time with PS
Marion (about to cruise for Friends of Marion, to mark
the 10th anniversary of its restoration to operational
condition).
 
 Regards,
 Roderick B Smith
 Rail News Victoria Editor
 
 
 
 
 
 Attachments:
 
 http://www.paddleducks.co.uk//forum/files/041113su_c_mannum_maryann_and_marion_rsmith_143.jpg
 

[thewharfonline]

lol The Australian Play that Roderick refers to is mine, I'm performing as Randell for my solo.

However if you'd like to buy the rights to this 5 minute play I will sell them for $10,000 for amature theatre companies and $20,000 for big professional companies! Just kidding. Hopefully I will be producing the performance on some form of video. It will be performed on Friday and yes its not a public event!

Sean

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's - Roderick -  :ohno  I had missed the thread   - clearly now a replica of the [1852] PS Mary Anne exists, so all of the hard research & design work is completed by others - just   about it -  :?: Derek

[thewharfonline]

Well PS Mary Anne no longer exists but there are still (I'm sure) the designs and plans available and Roderick has a large amount of photos I'd say!

[Roderick Smith]

Mary Ann was towed from Mildura to Nangiloc by PV Matthew James over Sat.29-Sun.30.7.  On Sat.5.8, it would steam for the last time, to a private slip at Colignan, where the steam plant would be removed, then the hull would be taken from the water to be repowered and reconfigured by the owners.

I enclose another of this vessel, showing the auxiliary sail being hoisted.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

Matthew James towing Mary Ann, Red CLiffs

[thewharfonline]

It would still have been named Lady Augusta at the time of that photo wouldn't it Michael?

Is there anything excitingly new with Matthew James or the Mary Ann (can't remember her new name) has any new work been completed on either private vessel?

[michael]

Matthew James(i keep thinking James Maiden!!) has a diesel engine in it, supposed to have its paddleboxes changed and a saloon built over the engine, which is still open at the moment. Also a picket railing around the wheelhouse, I'm sure Rod could add, he's been on it.
Mary Ann is somewhere on Mansells block being worked on, not sure what she will look like

[Roderick Smith]

From recent news items:

* PS Mary Ann: Rivers & Riverboats Historical & Preservation Society handed over the replica vessel to the hull's owners on 23.7.05.  The boiler & engine would be kept in situ until mid 2006, then would be returned to the owning group.  (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34, Nov.06 RNV)
* PS Lady Augusta: By Sept.05, the lookalike vessel from the 2003 celebrations had been handed over to the hull's owner.  The boiler & engine had been removed; a diesel engine was being fitted.  It would be cruising again from the end of the year, as PV Matthew James.  By Aug.06, the wheelhouse had been enclosed.  The vessel was part of the fleet running to Wentworth for the Ferguson-tractor rally. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34)

From Aug.06 RNV [some or all which I have posted before]:
To mark the 50th anniversary [of the major Murray Darling flood at Wentworth], a major rally was held over Sat.22 & Sun.23.7.  During the week, restored PS Ruby was towed across Darling River from its restoration wet dock in Fotherby Park, to be moored just below the town wharf for the weekend, available for inspection (and serving Devonshire teas).  On Friday, PV Coonawarra (now ~55 years old) cruised from Mildura to Wentworth.  It provided b&b accommodation at Wentworth, and short cruises, returning on Monday.  On Friday, a fleet of private paddleboats left Mildura for Wentworth, staging at Abbotsford Bridge overnight (the lifting span will be raised only at 7.00, 10.00 & 14.00).
* PS Mary Ann: The replica of the first Murray River paddlesteamer was built for the 2003 150th anniversary, and was making its last cruise with a steam engine.  The privately-owned hull would have superstructure added, to be used as a cruising houseboat.
* PV Matthew James: The lookalike PS Lady Augusta from the 2003 celebrations, now with a diesel, and to be further modified by its private owners.
* PV Impulse
* PV Shiralee
* PV Miralie
* PS Tarney
* One houseboat.
The rally attracted 347 tractors, of which 298 were the classic Ferguson grey...
A preserved ex-army amphibious vehicle (dukw) made a demonstration launching, carrying passengers.  These vehicles/vessels had ferried supplies to isolated communities up Darling River in 1956.  See www.wentworth. nsw.gov.au/fergie, www.murrayriver. com.au/boating/paddlesteamers/pbcoonawarra/ cruises_charter.htm & www.pbcoonawarra.com.au.

The photo which Michael posted was taken on 29 or 30.7.06, probably by Frank Tucker.  The towing vessel was certainly Matthew James by this date; the wheelhouse roof isn't showing clearly, but is there.

I enclose the one of me steering Matthew James (quite genuinely: I had the wheelhouse for an hour, without the owner checking on my every move).  The tendency in any boat is to oversteer and not anticipate.  On the Murray, a very winding river, the flagpole on the stempost is not just decorative; it is the vital aid to  precision steering without overcorrecting.  Line up the pole with a landmark, watch the rate of change of the pole against the scenery, back off before the pole overshoots, so that it maintains its relative position.  I had had an hour steering lesson aboard the large PS Marion (supervised very closely), and that put me in good stead for this opportunity.  I finally chickened out when running with PV Shiralee parallel close to starboard, and another boat coming upriver (my port) to meet the mini fleet.  The owner rounded his boat into the Darling (a sharp curve), and rounded up and docked at Wentworth (photo posted before, in the Mary Ann thread).

My own, smaller, boat is easier to keep straight, but I am often in rivers where I am zigzagging to avoid snags and fishing lines.  I had a complete novice steering in a sheltered no-snag empty river, and he zigzagged and overcorrected.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[David Allinson]

Roderick.
That is some steering wheel you have there!
Are the rudder loads so big?
Nice report.
All the best
David



From recent news items:

 * PS Mary Ann: Rivers & Riverboats Historical & Preservation Society
 handed over the replica vessel to the hull's owners on 23.7.05.  The
 boiler & engine would be kept in situ until mid 2006, then would be
 returned to the owning group.  (Sept.05 R&RH&PS Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV
 p34, Nov.06 RNV)
 * PS Lady Augusta: By Sept.05, the lookalike vessel from the 2003
 celebrations had been handed over to the hull's owner.  The boiler &
 engine had been removed; a diesel engine was being fitted.  It would be
 cruising again from the end of the year, as PV Matthew James.  By Aug.06,
 the wheelhouse had been enclosed.  The vessel was part of the fleet
 running to Wentworth for the Ferguson-tractor rally. (Sept.05 R&RH&PS
 Newsletter, Aug.06 RNV p34)

 From Aug.06 RNV [some or all which I have posted before]:
 To mark the 50th anniversary [of the major Murray Darling flood at
 Wentworth], a major rally was held over Sat.22 & Sun.23.7.  During the
 week, restored PS Ruby was towed across Darling River from its restoration
 wet dock in Fotherby Park, to be moored just below the town wharf for the
 weekend, available for inspection (and serving Devonshire teas).  On
 Friday, PV Coonawarra (now ~55 years old) cruised from Mildura to
 Wentworth.  It provided b&b accommodation at Wentworth, and short cruises,
 returning on Monday.  On Friday, a fleet of private paddleboats left
 Mildura for Wentworth, staging at Abbotsford Bridge overnight (the lifting
 span will be raised only at 7.00, 10.00 & 14.00).
 * PS Mary Ann: The replica of the first Murray River paddlesteamer was
 built for the 2003 150th anniversary, and was making its last cruise with
 a steam engine.  The privately-owned hull will have superstructure added,
 to be used as a cruising houseboat.
 * PV Matthew James: The lookalike PS Lady Augusta from the 2003
 celebrations, now with a diesel, and to be further modified by its private
 owners.
 * PV Impulse
 * PV Shiralee
 * PV Miralie
 * PS Tarney
 * One houseboat.
 The rally attracted 347 tractors, of which 298 were the classic Ferguson
 grey...
 A preserved ex-army amphibious vehicle (dukw) made a demonstration
 launching, carrying passengers.  These vehicles/vessels had ferried
 supplies to isolated communities up Darling River in 1956.  See
 www.wentworth. nsw.gov.au/fergie, www.murrayriver.
 com.au/boating/paddlesteamers/pbcoonawarra/ cruises_charter.htm &
 www.pbcoonawarra.com.au.

 I can only assume that Michael's photo was taken in July 06, but the
 wheelhouse roof on Matthew James is not showing, so it may have been taken
 on an earlier tow.  I am assuming that it is a Frank Tucker photo.

 I enclose the one of me steering Matthew James (quite genuinely: I had the
 wheelhouse for an hour, without the owner checking on my every move).  The
 tendency in any boat is to oversteer and not anticipate.  On the Murray, a
 very winding river, the flagpole on the stempost is not just decorative;
 it is the vital aid to  precision steering without overcorrecting.  Line
 up the pole with a landmark, watch the rate of change of the pole against
 the scenery, back off before the pole overshoots, so that it maintains its
 relative position.  I had had a steering lesson aboard the large PS Marion
 (supervised very closely), and that put me in good stead for this
 opportunity.  I finally chickened out when running with PV Shiralee
 parallel close to starboard, and another boat coming downriver (my port)
 to meet the mini fleet.  The owner rounded his boat into the Darling (a
 sharp curve), and rounded up and docked at Wentworth (photo posted before,
 in the Mary Ann thread).

 My own, smaller, boat is easier to keep straight, but I am often in rivers
 where am zigazagging to avoid snags and fishing lines.  I had a complete
 novice steering it in a sheltered no-snag empty river, and he zigazagged
 and overcorrected.


 Regards,
 Roderick B Smith
 Rail News Victoria Editor>

 

Attachments:

 http://www.paddleducks.co.uk//forum/files/060722sa_06_rbsskipperingmatthewjames_rsmith_995.jpg

[Roderick Smith]

David Allinson asked if rudder loads required the wheel to be so large.
I can't answer, as the only wheels which I have handled have light loads (but is that because they are so large?).  Certainly, skippers tell me that the large wheel makes the task easier.  IIRC, everyone steers from the side, not standing behind the boss.
Paddleducker Michael has steered most of the Echuca commercial vessels now, and has learned a lot more of the technical side than I have.
I enclose a photo of PS Marion's wheel, and will shift it to APAM when the postings reach Mannum (SA).  This boat is maintained and operated by the group Friends of Marion, and makes commercial cruises to raise the money to pay for the maintenance.  The captain in charge must hold formal marine qualifications: AFAIK the same for harbour and coastal ferries as for river ones, and the qualification is transferable around Australia.
IIRC, this one doesn't have steam assistance: some do (but I may be remembering SS Earnslaw or the many stem tugs in which I have cruised).
The nature of Murray navigation is such that continuous correction is required: the curves in the river, the curves in the channel, correcting for wind and current changes, and avoiding incompetent houseboats.
Some of the rudder chains have a lot of slack, so there is a lot of wasted movement before making even a small correction.

I have just found two more wheel photos on the hard drive:
PS Ranger (I was just posing).  The vessel is smaller, and the wheel is smaller.  The cruise which Adam gave me that day was one of the contributing factors to my decision to buy a boat.
PV Temeraire, under construction.  This is a larger vessel than Ranger, but the wheel is smaller.
I suspect that Matthew James doesn't need such a large wheel, but possibly it is a historic wheel, recycled from a scrapped larger vessel.


Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Bill Worden]

Very large wheels are not unusual when "Armstrong Power Steering" is fitted.

On American Mississippi steamers, the wheel was often so large that the hub was somewhere around the wheelsman's shins, and there was a slot in the wheelhouse deck to allow space for the bottom of the steering wheel.

This seems, however, to be more common on paddlers than on screw steamers.  Perhaps that is because sidewheel steamers have very large rudders, since there is no propeller wash against the rudder; and sternwheelers often have multiple rudders. There's just more rudder to move.

I recently spend five days on the Clyde puffer VIC32 and she has no power steering, but a steering wheel of normal size.  She was interesting to steer; she has a two cylinder compound, which, since the cranks are at 90 degrees, has a slight pulse in every revolution.  That was felt quite clearly in the steering wheel.

I steered Enterprise at Canberra some years ago; she had a large wheel, although not, as I recall, as large as that shown with Rod, and she was very responsive.

Bill Worden

[paddlesteamerman1]

PS Adelaide has a slit in the wheel house floor I noticed when I was engineering on her for the Heritage Fest.. Is that for the steering wheel.. or for the levers to control gears and speed?? The wheel, from what I remember does poke through a little bit..

[thewharfonline]

When Adam and I fired her up for a boiler exam we used the gap to see what was going on down below. You can see how the engine is moving and how fast, good for when accelerating I guess. I assume it is to see what's going on down in the engine.

I've driven Ranger and Pevensey officially but 'drove' Canberra when I was only a little tike! (Photo provided on this post)

James will say those on the Adelaide were a little worried when I was driving Ranger...Pevensey was huge and I had little support from the skipper who basically just handed her over...could have ended nasty, but luckily didn't, just reaffirmed that I wanted to be a steam engineer instead of a skipper!

Roderick has a series of photos of me scrambling to the Ranger and then onboard...I don't know if any are steering shots though!