Beginnig a new construction - Rhone paddler "OCEAN with 322 cm lenght

[Paddlemex]

Wow, it IS long and VEEERY shallow.
The partitions are virtually invisible. Looks great.

What is the square opening in the bottom for? (second to last pucture)

Jurgen

[Hankwilliams]

It`s for the anchor boom, a speciality of Rhone steam navigation. With the anchor boom it was possible, to fix the boat upstream in low water. Nearly all Rhone Porteurs and remoqueurs, even in later time, has had this instrument.

[Paddlemex]

 
Ohhhh. Interesting. Never heard of this before.
Thanks Thomas.

Jurgen

[Spankbucket]

It's coming along well and is really fascinating to watch her take shape!

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi Thomas, I too have not heard of this 'Anchor Boom'.......

1. is it fully lowered thru the hull to bed in the river earth, to provide a pivot point?
2. why is the boom cantered at an angle?

Derek

[Hankwilliams]

Hi Derek,

the anchor boom was lowered into the mud ground of the river to fix the boat upstreams. I suppose, that the angel was important to avoide gliding off. As far I know, only Rhone steamers has had this anchor boom, I don`t see this speciality at any other steamers.
The second picture is the original plan of the "Pelvoux" type remorqueurs build in the 1890-tis, late Bernard Retif from Lyon draw the simplyfied semi scale plan of "Pilat" from this source.

[Hankwilliams]

Construction of hull and deck as far are finished, so that today I made a water test of tightness in the tub with the three separate parts. All was ok, so that the hull now should be painted.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Hull was painted now in red, black and green color. Even when minor improvings should be done, the rough works seems lying behind. Next job will be plating the deck with aluminium sheets (original boat has had an iron deck). I will add some historic pictures of Rhone steamships.

Thomas

[Paddlemex]

Great pics of the old days.
Is that water on deck on the 3rd picture? People don't seem to care on getting wet.

Was there a reason to build those ships so narrow and long? At least on the pictures the river seems to pretty wide to require narrow ships.

Jurgen

 

[derekwarner_decoy]

It is always interesting Thomas, to see the world as was in the period of the time of the image taken

We see possibly a round woven cane basket just greater than 1500mm diameter with I assume to be a grain? being carried by a number of ships, or shore workers being loaded to the deck of the Paddler

Understanding the extensive use of manual labour is reinforced in such images, as it was the form of product transport

We also a quantity of green canvas placed over items on deck [deck cargo]

There is also a Chap in jacket & hat & shoulder bag watching procedings...maybe a Tourist to the Jetty/Wharf or just an on-looker?

In another view, we see what I believe is the horizontal boiler casing with a substantial chimney/smokestack just above deck level, and a white mist flowing ...or enveloping the boiler casing, however falling to the deck prior to rising upwards. I can only assume boiler steam, however I have not seen steam flow like this .  One Chap has open shirt sleeves, so this indicates the temperature of the day [or so no extremes in temperature on the day]

Derek

[Hankwilliams]

I suppose, the mist and steam on the third picture could be caused of rain coming down to the hot boiler case. Yes, Derek, this antique pictures shows a inner poetry of long gone times of hard working people with her simple gladness and also sufferings.

Next days I will cover the deck with aluminium sheets. Question about the railing: It seems, the railing was made of wood - should I made it from thin fillets or better of brass?

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Good morning, dear friends and neighbors,

I was rather busy the last weeks, the adcance is visible, I hope. It seems very impotant to make the model`s details in a accurate manner as the anchor boom with winch, the big tiller with platform, portholes, paddleboxes and so on.
Next job will be the brass railing (ca. 170 supports) and the rigid paddlewheels. Weight of the complete model with 323 cm lenght now is 3460 Gramm - this gives much play for the later steam boiler and engine.
The connection between servo and rudder is a compromis, it wasn`t possible to install the rods below deck.
Brass material for the side by side boilers is ordered. The part after engine area must wait until boilers will be installed.

Thomas

[DamienG]

Looking GOOD but given the length how will you get it to water?

[Hankwilliams]

Hi Damian,

for transport the model can be divided in 3 sections, which are connected with bolts. You see one point of intersection at the last picture.

[DamienG]

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