P. S. Curlip Australia

[Murray Whaler]

I was recently in Orbost in Victoria on the Snowy River so I took the oppertunity to see how the construction of the paddle steamer Curlip was progressing.       They are doing a great job and have set the following programme.       Curlip to leave the construction shed on Wed. 1st. of October.    Launch date Wed. 15th. of Oct.  Commissioning date Sat. 29th. Nov. 2008

[michael]

I've checked out the website, they have some interesting photo's of her. Been talking to Roderick, we both hope to make it to the ceremony in November, a can in one hand and tiller in the other! Hopefully I'll have my clinker going and I'll bring it down. Should be a good weekend

[Murray Whaler]

I plan on going to the commissioning Nov. 28-30th.  Not sure whether caravan, Minimus,or tinny.   Tickets for the inaugural cruise are $1000.00 EACH.   I'll be watching from a distance at that price.

[steamboatmodel]

I've checked out the website, they have some interesting photo's of her. Been talking to Roderick, we both hope to make it to the ceremony in November, a can in one hand and tiller in the other! Hopefully I'll have my clinker going and I'll bring it down. Should be a good weekend

I don't know about Australian rules but "a can in one hand and tiller in the other!" unless the can is a soft drink it would get you in trouble in Ontario.
Regards,
Gerald

[Roderick Smith]

From Liz, the organiser of the commissioning-weekend festivities:

The launch will be a relatively quiet affair in mid October.

The commissioning weekend is a “big bash” on the weekend of Nov 28-30, with the commissioning ceremony on Sat Nov 29 at Marlo Jetty.
We are keen to have a flotilla of boats  - especially beautiful ones! To accompany the Curlip down the river to the jetty at around 1 pm, and have put the word out with wooden boaties to come down. There is a lot of interest, and there should be a good few boats on the water.
The main launch site will be the Brodribb River ramp, which I am told is suitable for a range of long and heavy boats.  The Marlo ramp will be closed on the Saturday due to the festival itself.

On the Sunday morning PS Curlip takes her inaugural cruise - this is an exclusive fundraiser affair: tickets are selling for $1000.  On the Sunday afternoon she will be taking out short cruises ( probably around 1/2 hour, to get as many people out as possible), and from Monday her regular tours will start ( at this stage we are looking at 1.5 hour morning cruises followed by 3 hours pm cruises which take in the Tabbara mill site up the Brodribb) Details of how to book on cruises should be on our new website by mid year.

I plan to launch Jessie II on Friday, and come out of the water on Monday.

Regarding the Canadian rules re tinnies and tillers, the Australian private-boating rule is the same as for a motor car: 0.05, then loss of licence (and the two are linked: lose either, lose both).  There are also booze boats, operating like booze buses (random breath checking on roads).  There is always one out checking on private boats heading home via Maribyrnong River from Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.
Commercial operators must match all other transport operators: zero bac.

Canada is more generous with cars (0.08), but the penalty is more severe.
Canada also doesn't like people drinking where they can be seen: parks & gardens, or even on trains.  The bar must be screened from a view from the corridor.

For a long time no licence was needed for a private boat (or perhaps no licence below a certain power or speed).  Now a licence is needed: restricted from age 12 (certainly no towing of a water skiier, probably no night boating, but I don't think that there are power or speed restrictions); unrestricted from age 16.  However people hiring houseboats don't need a boat licence, but they must have a car licence, and pass a test of handling skill conducted by the hirer.  The main licence is purely theory, no prac.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[steamboatmodel]

RE tinnies and tillers, Up here you now need a operators card for boats. a one time written test and pay the fee. The same rule for boats and cars NO open booze on small craft and definitely no while controlling them. The 0.8 is the current level but it looks like it may be changed to 0.5.
Regards,
Gerald

[michael]

The Curlip II was launched( Craned) yesterday at Orbost, attached is the following article....

[Roderick Smith]

We are now gearing up for participation in the Sat.29 & Sun.30.11.08 commissioning festivities.
Michael is bringing MV Bunyip from Echuca; a mate of his is bringing a clinker hull launch from Echuca (larger than Bunyip, and taken to the 2007 Wentworth Junction Rally).
I am awaiting word from 'Murray Whaler' about the presence of PS Minimus.

I enclose the pdf file of the launching.  The pdf of the weekend ceremonies is too large, so here is just the text.  The full version is available at the website, www.paddlesteamercurlip.com.au.

THE PIONEER BALL – FRIDAY NIGHT
The Pioneer Ball will be a night of fun and frivolity. Starting at 8:00pm at Orbost Secondary College, the Briagalong Bush Band will entertain with their traditional bush dances.  Festivities also include competitions and lucky door prizes plus (in keeping with the true spirit of a Pioneer’s Ball) the awarding of Belle and Beau of the Ball.  The Ball is BYO and a scrumptious supper provided. Dress code is “Pioneer” or smart casual.
Unfortunately the evening is already sold out .
PS CURLIP COMMISSIONING CEREMONY – SATURDAY – MARLO
Centred on the Marlo foreshore, the Commissioning Ceremony celebrates the birth of Paddle Steamer Curlip II. An assortment of activities and heritage displays are scheduled all day, including a flotilla of wooden boats, vintage bikes and machinery, heritage skills, kite flying, horse and cart rides and an art exhibition. There is also some fantastic entertainment including the Briagalong Bush band, Punch n Judy Show, Bush Poetry and the famous Australian Cotton Club Orchestra. Festivities continue into the evening on the grounds of the Marlo Hotel with a free concert which will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display. There is a wide variety of food available from local vendors all day and into the evening.
The schedule of activities for Saturday’s Commissioning Ceremony is:
WHEN WHAT
12:00 pm Food vendors open
Heritage displays start along the foreshore
Wilderness Coast Artists art exhibition
Briagalong Bush Band call a few traditional dances
VIP Official Lunch at the Marlo Hotel Bistro
12:30 pm Flotilla of Wooden Boats depart the Brodribb boat ramp
12:45 pm Punch n Judy Show
1:00 pm Bush Poetry
1:15 pm PS Curlip is escorted by the flotilla to the Marlo jetty
1:30 pm Official Ceremony with MC Gerard Callinan
3:00 pm PS Curlip is open for inspection
Afternoon Entertainment & heritage displays continue
7:00 pm The Australian Cotton Club Orchestra
9:00 pm Fireworks display
9:15 pm The Cotton Club Orchestra returns
10:00 pm Festival concludes
For further information regarding activities or to get involved, contact Festival organisers:
Suzanne Neumann (0439) 680021 or Simon Rothwell (0400) 746662.
FRIDAY 28 – SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2008
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Join us on the banks of the Snowy River as a community celebrates the completion and commissioning of the paddlesteamer Curlip II.
MARKET DAY – SUNDAY MORNING – FOREST PARK, ORBOST
Festivities continue on Sunday with Market Day at Forest Park in Orbost. The traditional theme of the festival is maintained with a range art, craft, home wares and local produce available. There are activities for the kids with the return of the Punch n Judy show plus traditional games. Visit the opening of the Talking Wall or pick up some fine art at the art display and auction.
For further information regarding Market Day or becoming a vendor, contact Suzanne Neumann on (0439) 680021.
WHEN WHAT
9:00 am Market Day opens
Ecumenical Open Air service starts (BYO chair)
10:00 am Opening of the Talking Wall
10:30 am Old Fashioned Games for the kids
11:30 am Punch n Judy Show
11:30 am Art Auction begins
1:30 pm Market Day closes
THANK-YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
The construction of PS Curlip II started in 2006 and has involved many people.  It would be impossible for a project of this magnitude to be successfully delivered without the endless hours of volunteer support.  A sincere thank you to all involved!
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
A sincere thank you to our sponsors, supporters, funding organisations and advocates for enabling this fantastic community project and the Festival to celebrate its completion.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Road Closures.  The will be road closures in place for the duration of the Commissioning Ceremony. Access to Argyle Parade will be  restricted to official vehicles only and detours will be in place for local residents.  It is expected that Argyle Parade will be closed to  ehicles from 8:00am until 8:00pm.
Parking.  Parking is available as you enter Marlo. There will be parking attendants to assist and a complimentary bus ride (if you like) into Marlo. Parking will cost $2 per car which will be distributed to the various volunteer groups involved with staging the Festival.
Access to Boat Ramps. The Marlo boat ramp and jetty will be closed to all boats on Saturday.  Boats can be launched at the Brodribb boat ramp. Boaties are asked to keep a safe distance from PS Curlip and flotilla of wooden boats. An exclusion zone in front of the Marlo jetty will also be enforced during the fireworks display.
FOR MORE INFORMAT ION
For more information regarding the Curlip on the Snowy Festival or to enquire about booking a cruise contact us:
www.paddlesteamercurlip.com.au or 03 51541699
PS CURLIP IS OPEN FOR BUS INESS
Paddlesteamer Curlip will be operating cruises on the Snowy River estuary from December. As well as regular scheduled tours, she will be available for charter on an hourly basis. Up to 50 passengers can be taken aboard at one time and there is a small galley aboard.  Group bookings for tours are welcomed.  Cruises will depart from Marlo, which is located on the mouth of the Snowy River, in Far East Gippsland, Victoria.
More information about cruise times will be available on the Curlip website shortly.

There are pubs at Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Marlo and Numeralla: Orbost accommodation is full.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

The book launching was held over the weekend just gone by.
The recommissiong event is only days away.
At least three Paddleduckers will be there.
I am driving down on Friday, without Jessie II, to arrive too late for the ball, but to watch the Saturday parade, and to cruise on Sunday (and hopefully Monday).
The committee has obtained an Echuca engineer for the weekend, who is bringing Michael as his assistant.  This puts Michael on all cruises, including the premium-fare one, but he won't be bringing Bunyip.
'Murray Whaler' will be there, and in time for the ball, but is not bringing Minimus.
Marlo Hotel is not taking reservations for Saturday dinner, but expects that it will cope, and have everyone through on Saturday night in time for the 21.00 fireworks.
The Monday and Tuesday public cruises may be in doubt: there may be no engineer available.

Snowy River had a flood warning issued after heavy rain over the weekend just gone by.  The water rose, but not enough to be treacherous, and is receding already.  I asked if it were enough to make a run with Curlip all the way into Orbost.  That is not a prospect at this stage.
The boiler is oil fuelled, easier to obtain than wood or coal, and possibly no more expensive.  One major parts of the cost of coal is the cost of transport from the mine.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I am the first to hit the airwaves (15.06 Mon. Victorian time).
I was there; Michael was there; 'Murray Whaler' was there.
Our three boats were not there.
This is RNV mailout night, so no photos until that task is finished.

I went down on Friday afternoon, looking at sailing ship Enterprize at Welshpool, on its annual voyage from Williamstown (Melbourne) to there, and photographing pubs and cinemas.  I arrived at Orbost around 9.30 Saturday, and at Brodribb boat ramp around 10.00.
PS Curlip was lying in mid river above the ramp, having steamed from its Snowy River completion site that morning.
Lots of wooden boats from members of Wooden Boat Owners Association were being launched.
All had full complements.  One boat took me on as a passenger, then told me that I would be doing better than their boat: I would be aboard Curlip for the full Brodribb ramp - Marlo cruise.
For me, this was the best possible news of the day, and I had a great time, meeting the people who made it happen, and picking up a lot of extra information about the technology.  Michael was aboard, assisting the Echuca engineer who had the vital certificate.  David (the restorer of the engine, yet to obtain his formal qualification), was monitoring his handiwork, and was very pleased.  He explained the boiler, the engines and the lubrication system to me.
These rivers (Brodribb and Snowy) were very windy and with a very strong tide.  The boat has been fitted with bow thrusters so that it can run with a crew of three: master, engineer & deckhand (plus hospitality staff).
The boiler is based on industrial practice, and can be fired in 30 min (three big tubes rather than lots of little ones).
The engine is the one from UK, but it was in poor shape, and has had a complete rebuilding.
The end result: the quietest-running paddlesteamer on which I have ever been.  The drive is via chain, on about 1:5 reduction.  Master Helen was assisted by Harry: both had a background on Gippsland fishing boats.

The parade got underway around 11.30, and reached Marlo around 12.30.  The formal speeches were made, in light rain (but the Gippsland independent mp thanked the drought breaker, and the crowd didn't mind).  I caught up with 'Murray' and Mrs 'Whaler' at this stage.  The boat then made two cruises for the vips (more guests than capacity).  I took advantage of the carpark bus shuttle to get back to my car.  I returned to the hotel, then set up the laptop to do a stack of RNV work before enjoying dinner (with Michael), the fireworks and the magnificent 1920s band.

Sunday was bright and sunny, but still with wind and tide.  The 9.30 long cruise for patrons paying $1000 per head was full; most had dressed in some form of ceremonial outfit.  It got underway around 9.45, headed up the Brodribb, but not under the bridge, then up the Snowy to the launching site, then back for around 12.45.  The three advertised short cruises (13.30, 14.30 & 15.30) had been booked out weeks in advance.  A 16.30 had been added.  Grateful for my long Saturday ride, I freed my 13.30 ticket for sale to another person who may otherwise have missed.  I photographed the 9.30 departing, and below the bridge, then at the boat ramp as it beat slowly against wind and tide, then at the launching site and the round up just above.

I returned via other hobbies and another night away.  I didn't see Enterprize depart: the move was delayed from the predicted 9.00 to mid afternoon.

The whole weekend was great, for multiple hobbies, but the complete triumph was with the replica PS Curlip and the people who brought the project to fruition in just 6 years from concept to commissioning.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

Here are a couple of photo's of Curlip departing Sunday morning on her 3hr trip

[Roderick Smith]

The mailout is done, so I start my photo contribution with some people photos:
* Helen holds the vital Master 5 certificate, and was captain for all moves.  Beside her is Harry, who has had much experience, and was advising on handling a paddleboat in the prevailing conditions.  Despite wind and tide, the first approach to Marlo nudged in very gently.
* Alan, holder of a vital steam certificate, was borrowed from Echuca for the weekend.  David did the restoration work on the engine, and looks to be very pleased with the results.  Lots of pins and bushes had to be made new.  One cylinder has been fitted with a liner.
* The galley is set at lower deck level, with clerestory windows.
* Many of the volunteers posed on Sunday.  In this view, I can see Gil Richardson: descendant of the builder of the first Curlip, instigator of this project, and a major engineering contributor.
One of the reasons for which this project came to fruition in only a few years was the huge contribution by locally-based volunteers: direct labour, and in-kind help.  I chatted with the donor of the whistle.  He had obtained it at a swap meet years ago.  It was in poor condition, and need a lot of restoration.  Its provenance is uncertain, but it is unmistakeably authentic two-note river marine.

Orbost is a long way from Melbourne, but is not far from the immensely popular holiday region based on Lakes Entrance and Buchan Caves; it is also on the highway from Melbourne to the southern NSW coastal resorts of Eden and Merimbula, both very popular with Victorians.  Comparing it with Murray paddleboat centres, it is more remote than Echuca, but comparable with Albury or Swan Hill, and closer than Mildura.

Snowy River is prominent in Australian history, culture, geography & politics; Brodribb River is virtually unknown.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here are three more detail photos, topped up with part of the celebration:
* A paddlebox
* A paddlewheel hub, from Gill Engineering
* A paddlewheel and my best photo of the whistle (two brass tubes)
* The chalked menu board at Marlo Hotel.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

As part of their perpetual reinvention for survival, Australian pubs have moved into the bistro market over the last 30 years: more upmarket than traditional counter meals, but not quite full restaurant.  One hallmark is a chalked menu, and several people specialise in creating decorativ chalk artwork, relevant to a hotel's trade.  The photo in the last selection was specially-created chalk artwork for the ceremony, and will probably stay in service for months/years.

Today I present a selection of photos of the ceremony and the first public cruise to complement the ones already posted.
* Lying upstream of Brodribb jetty, ready to join the assembling fleet.
* Part of the escort fleet, with other boats lying in wait at the Snowy confluence.
* The ribbon-cutting ceremony, with vips on the jetty, and general public in the carpark and the slope above it.
* Two rc model Curlip boats.
* Sunday, about 6 km up Snowy River (heading downstream, just above the launching and fitout site).

I chatted with the modeller: he had cut planks of something, then realised that the original was mahogany, so he started again, finished the model, then returned to the original planks and completed a second model.  They weathered the open estuary on a rainy day, and in the wash of the fleet and Curlip, very well.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Noting the popularity of the photo of the Curlip models, I have scanned a few more, showing the ability to cope with the estuary, and close range for some detail and sense of size.

I enclose two more of Curlip on its 3 h cruise on Sunday morning.  The first shows it rounding up after the first hour a safe distance downstream of the road bridge: the current and wind would have made navigation through the narrow and low opening quite tricky.  The funnel folds down to provide clearance under the bridge.  Only a few minutes earlier, the wooden boat fleet had gone under the bridge on a club picnic run to Lake Curlip.  The other shows Curlip beating against the wind and current, to return to the confluence and turn up the Snowy; my photo posted earlier shows it at the end of the second hour.

A report of the weekend is on Wooden Boat Association's website: www.woodenboat.org.au
report: www.woodenboat.asn.au/index.php/general/Paddle-Steamer-Curlip.html
photos: www.woodenboat.asn.au/index.php/component/option,com_wbgallery/Itemid,39/cid,8/
In the Clutterbuck collection there are several of the Saturday morning journey; I can see Michael in the stern in one view, but I can't see myself in any (I was wearing a yellow waterproof jacket, but not the one which is visible).

I also have two 4 MB video clips.  I still don't have the softward to convert them from quicktime to a more-compact format (mpg or avi).

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor