Does anyone know of any stern wheelers with twin wheels aft - it would be interesting if this makes them easier to handle - ie split the paddles to turn etc.

Any experiances would be interesting to know.

Thanks
Chris

On the Murray River in the riverboat hayday the Paddle Steamer Kookaburra had that wheel set up and I believe it was a good set up, although the wheels were on the one shaft and so both went the same way.
Today the only boat on the Murray with that set up is PV Tamara Rae, two decks, with room for a car to be driven onboard, she is very arse heavy and she is very slow even when the wheels are going fast!
I guess good design of wheels and hull will tell if its effecient

IIRC Alistair describes this as a quarter wheeler.
Tamara Rae was the slowest vessel in the Randell Cadell fleet, despite having a large (and apparently fuel-hungry) engine.

The carport is forard; there are fold-down ramps on each side.
I always like a boat which carries its tinnie on davits rather than towing it: a real touch of class.

I will be transferring this message and photo to Research, Apam, list, when I get as far upstream as Wemen (between Mildura and Robinvale/Euston).

There is one other boat which has rear wheels, possibly powered independently: QWPV Bessie Ann.  I don't think that I have a rear view.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

I have only two photos of this private vessel: a small box on pontoons, being operated by the owner solo.
He was having trouble with the paddle drive, and had both paddle wheels removed; he was running the boat on an auxiliary outboard motor.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Some years ago there was a quarter wheel (I think that is the correct term) paddle narrowboat called "JETHRO TULL" on the Leeds and Liverpool canal attending an Inland Waterways Association rally at Wigan Pier.  I may have a photo somewher in the vast and deep reaches of the loft.  I'll have a look

B&B riverboats on the ohio river splt stern wheel,the mark twain

Thanks for your help and comments guys,

Interesting to hear the Tamara Rae was slow - quite a novel concept, not come across a paddler like this before.

The subject came about whilst talking to a friend about a newbuild passenger boat project were working on.

The BB Riverboats vessel looks very interesting, any more info around ? What do they use for the drive link between engine and paddles ? Mark Twain is of most intrest. I like her size.

Regards
Chris

Alistair sent me two beautiful photos of this vessel: a precursor of PV Tamara Rae.

Sunday update: Responding to my request, Alistair has placed three photos into the Research forum, in a Karim thread.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Chris I wish I had more info on the mark twain but I just cant find much....also the photos dont show much either.. but i do have a good stern shot. http://www.bbriverboats.com/ is there site.

There are articles and drawings for a number of quarter wheelers in our downloads section Chris, take a look at the following:

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=18

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=25

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=39

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=53

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=105