PS Adelaide

[Paulrjordan]

Hi Peter:
I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the model photos of "Adelaide"..these
Murray-Darling River paddlers make IDEAL model boat subjects and I'd
love to see an article in one of the modeling mags about them. John
Cundell, Editor of "Model Boats" Magazine is very approachable and
would probably welcome an article on this subject since its part of an
Australian Maritime heritage which is still very much alive today.

Now a question you might be able to answer :

Do the Murray-Darling paddlers have single engines with fixed paddle
shafts or is there any kind of clutch system for independently
rotating the wheels. I noticed a pretty hefty rudder on "Adelaide",
so my thoughts are they're probably single engined, fixed shaft set
ups.

I'd also be very interested to know how the model of "PS Adelaide"
handles in the water and, because of the shallow draft and high
freeboard/superstructure if the owner has encountered any "top hamper"
issues. Be very interesting to know how he has compensated for what
would appear to be a pretty high C of G and roll axis.

In any case, the model is absolutely enchanting and I'd love to hear
more about and see pictures of any other models of Murray-Darling
paddlers.(as you know your fellow Ozzie, Derek, is "under
construction" with "PS Decoy" at this time.)

PJ

[Alistair Deayton]

Most of these paddle steamers have old traction-engine machinery in them,
with the boiler in between the cylinders, so I don't think that have a
continuous shaft. Not having been on one, I can not say for certain.

Alistair Deayton
Paisley
Scotland

[John Roberts]

At one time, I had a plan, sadly, now lost, for a side-wheeler model of a Mississippi river steamer that a vertical cylinder with a walking beam overhead. I seem to remember that the shaft joining the wheels had a crank section in it. Not certain, though.
John