Another Kiwi.

[VANYA]

Hi.

I have an interest in all sorts of model marine craft, from historic craft to modern tugs.

The steam vessel I have a particular interest in is a Steam paddle tug "Titian" which was operating out of Timaru Port in the 1890's.

I have a copy of the original builders drawing, limited as they are but it is a true builders drawing from the Greenwich Maritime Museum of the Barclay and Curle built vessel. It is so amazing to actually get the drawing after all this time, just so lucky.

I will have to ask your members for much help to find a hull line plan drawing when I come to build the Titian in the coming years.

I am also building some modern z-drive with a fellow modeller in Seattle so there is a lot of projects to work with, too many maybe but others completed models help to push us forward.

Happy model building.

VANYA
Timaru
New Zealand

[Harold H. Duncan]

Vanya,
Welcome to Paddleducks, and don't forget we love plenty of photos and build threads.
Interesting choice, I have been researching and drawing old boats on NZ rivers and harbours
kiwi
Hamilton

[VANYA]

Hi. The Titian has a very interesting history, she sailed out from the UK, via Melbourne, worked on the West Coast, Lyttelton, Timaru, and was scuttled in Bluff.

Not only do I have the drawings but some very clear glass plate photos and even one on the slipway in Timaru. I also have seen on the net, but now gone and sketch line drawing of the very steam engine that powered her.Amazing.

Also the paddle tug "MANA" proceeded her too working in the port which would make a nice subject.

Will keep in touch if you need.

regards

Hayden

[kiwimodeller]

Welcome aboard Hayden, good to see another Kiwi on the team. Look forward to the day that we can watch the progress of your build of the Titan. I have a few steam powered boats including the Wanganui River paddler Waimarie and have just acquired another steam engine that would be ideal for a big tug but I had better finish some of the projects first, especially the sternwheeler that Harry provided the hull for. Dont hesitate to ask if there is anything we can help with regarding Titan or steam power for it. Cheers, Ian.

[VANYA]

Hi Kiwimodeller.

The Titian will not be built just yet. Have a few in the yard to complete as well.

The Titan I consider a historic build and i know it is important, not just because it is another model but it was important in the use of our port and will become a working example of our local maritime history. It would be great to steam power her but I have some research and designing to be done first. Thankfully I have a few years up my sleeve but at least I have the drawing which is half the battle.

Below is a reference to the Steam Tug and a photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurch/2852375930/

The Titan

As Yard No 157, the Titan had been launched from the Clydeholm Shipyard at Whiteinch on the River Clyde in November, 1866 by Barclay Curle and Company as a speculation for James Cowan of Leith. The 97 ton vessel was immediately sailed out to Melbourne, Australia, where she was sold by auction on the 22nd of July 1867 to John & David Spence, who used the 95 foot, 6 inch steamer to tow large sailing vessels from the Port Philip Heads to Williamstown and Sandridge.

Also fitted with passenger accommodation, the clinker-built iron paddle steamer was propelled by a pair of horizontal steam engines, with single 28 inch diameter cylinders and a 50 inch length of piston shaft. Developing 55 nominal horse-power she was quite capable of being worked up to 150 horse-power. Beyond the 35 foot engine room was a dry-bottomed boiler containing 160 horizontal iron tubes. A working pressure of 25 pounds per square inch drove 14 foot 9 inch diameter paddle wheels, which were 6 feet 8 inches wide. This enabled the vessel to maintain a speed of 10 knots for up to six days from the 23 tons of coal in her bunkers.

In 1873 the Titan was purchased for £7,600 by the Westland Steam Tug and Freight Company of Hokitika. Her shallow Draft of 4 feet 6 inches made the vessel ideal for working the notorious Bars of the West Coast ports and Captain Hugh B. Macmeikan charged 2 shillings and 6 pence per registered ton to tow vessels in and out of Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. However, business wasn't that good and less than three years later she was seized by the Mortgagor and sold by Tender to Lyttelton's Cameron Brothers by the Bank of New South Wales.

Under the successive commands of Captains Peter and J. S. Cameron the Titan towed sailing vessels in and out of Lyttelton Harbour from 1876. Two years later the Cameron's tugs were in competition with the Harbour Board's new and larger vessel. Although offered for sale, along with the Mullogh, by private tender in September, 1878, no buyer was found for the Titan and she continued in the Lyttelton service until 1882, when she was purchased the Timaru Harbour Board for £3,500.

In the command of Captain Clarkson the paddle tug was still towing ships in and out of Timaru in 1889, but her annual survey in that year indicated that although her engines were in good order, the boiler and hull were likely to require a major overhaul. By about 1893 she had been converted to a coal hulk and in 1895 the Titan was sold to the Bluff Harbour Board. Abandoned at the head of Bluff Harbour about 1901, her bones may still be visible on the beach.

Regards

Hayden

[Roderick Smith]

Is one at the national maritime museum (Auckland) a twin, or a more-recent design?  My memory of reading about it is that it was one of a pair.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Roderick,
No, the 1935 steam tug "William C Daldy" is a very much later vessel. Its similar sister the 1939 "Littleton2" has I believe been scrapped, in Melbourne a couple of years ago, and two similar age steam tugs have also been scrapped in NZ recently, one after being allowed to deteriate buy a local museum (not the NMM) which shall remain nameless.
(Think the engine was salvaged and restored.)
Mores the pity, as once gone, they gone for good.
cheers
kiwi

[Roderick Smith]

I was referring to the floating steam crane, not the steam tug.
I don't have a photo on the hard drive: I would have to find a packet of prints, and scan.

I notice that the museum is now called Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum
<www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/te-waka>
The website doesn't list the vessels on display.

I have visited the museum at least once (I was there for the midday cannon firing), and have cruised past it on a few vessels (including William C Daldy on a railway-enthusiast charter).

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Roderick,
Agree that their web site is not the best for information.
Their boats are I think
'Breeze', 1982 reproduction of a brigantine for NZ coastal trade
'Puke', late 19th century steam engine tender for coastal and river logging trade
'Rapaki', 1926 floating steam crane, built in Scotland for the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Wellinton have theirs as well)
'Ted Ashby', 1993 reproduction of ketch-rigged scow typical, late 19th century northern NZ. Ted Ashby has public sailings every day except Monday.

cheers
kiwi

[Roderick Smith]

Here are three which I do have on the hard drive: SL Puke, ST William C Daldy and SS Toroa.
Daldy is not part of the museum.  It has its own organisation, and was docked at Devonport, on the other side of the harbour.
See <http://daldy.com>, and lots more by googling.  From the website: the mooring is now at Hobson Wharf West, on the city side of the harbour, and in an area being revitalised as a tourist precinct with the introduction of a tram loop.
Toroa is at Henderson, and work progress may be inspected on Saturdays.  See <www.toroa.org.nz>
My memory is that Puke had been the Auckland harbourmaster's vessel.
The Puke photo shows the boiler, with Rapaki in the background.
The Daldy photo was taken when I was in Devonport for a cinema inspection.

Post edit: I have now scanned my 2001 photos, and have removed redundant bits from this post.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Roderick,
Your right, the "Dalby" isn't part of the NMM (Voyager), and neither is ss "Toroa", the last surviving steam passenger ferry, both having their own preservation group's.
I'm in Auckland on a fairly regular basis, so if you want photos of any of them, let me know.
Or any other vessels you may want, for that matter.
cheers
kiwi

[Roderick Smith]

Here are my remaining Auckland photos, including the one which triggered the hunt: floating steam crane Rapaki.
IIRC Kestrel was similar/identical to Toroa, but had been converted to diesel.

Now to follow the progress on the modelling of floating crane Titan.

Post edit: After about 10 years at Tauranga, Kestrel is back in Auckland.  See:
<www.thekestrel.org.nz>
<www.thekestrel.co.nz/index.php>

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Roderick,
The Kestrel is still being restored, and is now owned by The Kestrel Preservation Society Inc. which was formed to own and operate her, and is organising and managing her restoration with the intention of maintaining and using her for the best public benefit. Is 105 years old, but was converted to diesel power in the 1950's.
Cheers
kiwi

[Roderick Smith]

Here is a photo from my regular contributor, James Chuang.
MV Kestrel at Tauranga Strand, Wed.12.3.08.

Note the local jargon: just Tauranga - Mount Ferry Service, and not the full Mount Maunganui.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor