Channel 4 documentary

[Joe E Brown]

A few years ago I was talking with some rivermen who all agreed that,
up to about 500 hp, sternwheelers are more cost efficent and could
push more tonnage than screw driven boats, but above that the screws
win out.

[Dallinson]

Joe.
Now there is a very interesting fact!! Thanks.
How does it scale down to models? We must be well in the fractional
horsepower range, so presumably paddles would do the business!!??

Who is actually going to do the test with models for Windfall Films and then
confirm that paddles are best??

All the best
David

[Paulrjordan]

--- In Paddleducks@yahoogroups.com, "David Allinson" <dallinson@a...>
wrote:

(SNIP)
>
> Who is actually going to do the test with models for Windfall Films
and then confirm that paddles are best??

Hi David:

From the "behind the scenes" email traffic I've read, it sounds a lot
like "Waverley" Mike is prepared to step up to the plate. This is
rather appropriate considering he's a professional model maker and
very well known around modeling circles...and definitely a qualified
expert when it comes to both paddle wheel and screw driven models. I
believe he's already in contact with Daniel of Windfall Films.

It would also be fun to have a few other UK Paddleducks on hand to
witness the event and "cheerlead" our paddler to provide some
extra "human interest" to the story.

I emailed Mike (Taylor)in London who has the huge "GE" in his living
room, but strangely enough, I havn't had a reply from him..and he's
usually pretty prompt at answering.

Maybe "Waverley" Mike can update us on his progress with the film
production company as we'll all be following his progress with great
interest..and anticipation.

PJ

[Dallinson]

PJ.
I assume that the owners(s) of the models would run them and Windfall
arrange a venue and would film them. I should imagine that a presenter would
be on hand to do the explanations/introductions etc.
Maybe they will have some renowned naval architect on hand to give a learned
opinion?? I think it is all in the fairly early stages.
All the best
A Happy Xmas and prosperous New Year from sunny Spain!!
Best regards
David

[Paulrjordan]

I think Windfall offered to provide two identical hulls and engines
for the "big pull". Once again, it needs a modeler(s) who
understands both types of model propulsion and can put something
together fairly quickly. I do hope "Waverley" Mike could see this
one through as ALSO I'd love to see his magnificent "Waverley" model
on the telly too along with a few others from our UK members. Great
opportunity to get together, be a part of the occasion and "strut our
stuff."
I think there's the "story behind the story" which is this group of
paddlewheeler afficianos from all around the world. Maybe Windfall
should do a follow up film about the glorious history of
Padlewheelers, the survivors, the interest groups around the workld
and those who keep em alive through models.

Best regards from Canada

PJ

[Paulrjordan]

--- In Paddleducks@yahoogroups.com, "Towboat Joe <jbrown@d...>"
<jbrown@d...> wrote:
> A few years ago I was talking with some rivermen who all agreed
> that, up to about 500 hp, sternwheelers are more cost efficent and
> could push more tonnage than screw driven boats, but above that
> the screws win out.

Hi Joe!

I'm sure I once read that a sternwheeler holds the record for the
largest amount of barge tonnage ever pushed. I could well be wrong
but I think it was a towboat up in the NorthWest somewhere.

PJ

[Robert Grauman]

Hello PJ,

I'm not sure, but you may be thinking of the "Sprague" (Big Mama). She was
a 275' long sternwheeler that operated on the Mississippi. According to my
reference on the subject, "In February of 1907 she set the world's all-time
record for towing - a 60-unit tow containing 67,307 tons and covering 6-1/2
acres. It measured 1125 by 312 feet and carried as much as 1500 railroad
cars." She also set another record of sorts when, near Osceola, Arkansas,
"she struck her tow on a stone dyke. This demolished 16 coal barges, sank
29 others, a loss of 53,200 tons, which formed another island in the
Mississippi."

I was aboard her in 1972 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where she was
permanently tied up. Her boilers had been removed, and the boiler room
converted to a theatre. She burned a couple of years later.

Robert Grauman in Sunny Alberta