PS Brighton

[Stuart Badger]

Hi PDs

I have just recieved my set of John Elder and Co's paddle steamer Brighton drawings and I have a question for those that might know the answer!

Both the drawings and the photos of the model in the Science Museum show the bases of the funnels to be of a larger diameter than the upper part (Brighton funnel pic attached). I presume this is to contain lagging or is a function of some aspect of the engine/boilers.
Yet a photo I have found of her on the web (Brighton Cardiff) shows the funnels as clean and parallel for their whole length.

'Brighton' was built in 1878 and the photo was taken some time after 1896.

Does anyone know if she was altered during this period? or is it possible that she was not built 'as drawn'? I think the funnels as shown on the drawing and model are Plug Ugly!

Stuart

[Eddy Matthews]

I can't give an answer to your question Stuart, just an opinion..... As you have a photograph showing the vessel with "normal" funnels, I would simply build it like that. I agree that it looks a whole lot better than the funnels depicted on the drawings, and it was common practice to change things as the ship was built, so they rarely end up exactly as shown in the shipyard drawings.

Sir William Wallace, the paddle ferry I'm building, is a prime example - There are numerous differences between the drawings and the actual vessel!

Regards
Eddy

[andy]

Have a look to the photo, the funnel´s diameters are less on the upper end! So they changed diameter as well, but I think it to be more nice than the model.
This changing of diameter on the photo I know from the insulation of the funnel. The kind of construction like seen at the model often was an air inlet for the engine- or boiler room. This is known at the continental paddlers of south Germany and Switzerland.

Andreas

[PeeWee]

I have to agree with Eddy here, I would build as to the photo and if anyone asks, you have built it as per year 1896.  neither option is wrong but I think the photo version looks more elegant.

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks guys.

I'm going to do a bit more hunting for any photos there may be of Brighton - and will probably contact the Mitchell Library again. I agree she looks much more elegant in the Cardiff photo than the model. Looks as though I could end up doing two builds in parellel!

Stuart

[Talisman]

Hi Stuart, 
good game of spot the difference.
Looking more at the pics i can see a few more differences - just to help confuse the matter for you

[Stuart Badger]

Hmmmm - yes - I see what you mean!

Oh well, anyone want the plans for a completely fictitious paddle steamer ROFL!!

Stuart

[Talisman]

Sorry Stuart, but i'm sure you would have spotted them or had spotted them....
looks like an interesting subject all the same.
Regards
Kim

[Stuart Badger]

This raises an interesting point Kim.

We take for granted what we glean from 'informed' sources. In our case models, plans and authoritive institutions - but there is, in many cases, no substitute for the 'real' thing ie photographs, film or even paintings.

As soon as an item appears in a situation that gives it authority and believability we assume it is authentic - not neccessarily so!

The best we can do once genuine information has disappeared is to capture the 'spirit' of the item, not always the physically accurate reality.

Stuart

[Talisman]

This raises an interesting point Kim.

We take for granted what we glean from 'informed' sources. In our case models, plans and authoritive institutions - but there is, in many cases, no substitute for the 'real' thing ie photographs, film or even paintings.

As soon as an item appears in a situation that gives it authority and believability we assume it is authentic - not neccessarily so!

The best we can do once genuine information has disappeared is to capture the 'spirit' of the item, not always the physically accurate reality.

Stuart

Yep i agree - At my age (36) I'm to young to remember Clyde Steamers but i know what they meant to people and find it sad that a lot of what made Glasgow is being forgotten....
My problem is that there aren't that many people with us that remember my project and as much as i would like it to be accurate i think there may well be discrepancies but it helps keep the memory alive....
Go for it Stuart or as said in shipbuilding parts of Glasgow ... Go on yersel big man!
Kim

[Dinosaursoupman]

I think the plans are what the owners and builders intended to build, I think the pictures show what was built after CalOSHA (California Occupational Safety and Hazard Association) got a hold of it. "First of all, Wrap that stack with some insulation. You don't want anybody burning their arse when they bend over to tie their shoes. Next remove those staircases , That extra set on the paddlebox will only encourage children to climb on top and those leading to the upper deck don't have the proper tread to height ratio. By the way, Steam engines are too dirty and pollute the air you're going to have to convert to bio-diesel." "But sir, they haven't invented bio-diesel." "That doesn't matter, Make the changes or we'll shut you down. Hey, does that welding suit have asbestos?"

We'd still be in the stone-age if CalOSHA had been around then.

Randy

[mjt60a]

I agree it looks better in the photo than the model, I'd assumed the funnels were telescopic (think I read that somewhere.....let's see....)

[Barry]

FC Hambleton in the book Famous Paddle Steamers comments on the Brighton's funnels remarking that "the bases of the funnels were carried up very high". A drawing in the book "Classic Scottish Paddlesteamers" of the Duchess of Hamiltons funnel also shows a wider base saying it was spark arrester which was supposed to stop soot and ash falling on the deck. May be that's what the wide bases on the Brighton were. They might have been changed between building and the photo during a refit.

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks for the info Barry.

Looking at the photo I have again it would appear that the funnels have been altered (clad?) to the LARGER diameter. This would be logical if, as you say, the lower portion of the funnel was a spark arrester. By enlarging the diameter of the funnel the spark arresting facility would remain whilst the funnels looked more attractive.

Stuart