Okay, so you want to build a really unusual paddler......

Well, how about this one, discovered by Walter Snowdon - God knows where he keeps finding this stuff!!

This is a small model of a paddle lifeboat made for a patent application in or around 1849 - The vessel has 4 paddlewheels driven by hand cranks. The crew sit inside totally enclosed when the top hatches are closed. At the bow and stern are two hatches with leather seals - The helmsman sits in the rear with his head and shoulders protruding to steer, and an observer can sit in the front.

The boat has wheels which are below keel level, so the boat can be drawn by horses or men as if it's on wheels up and down the beach. And it has sloping sides with battens attached so any survivors can easily haul themselves up onto the craft....

A truely unique vessel I'm sure you'll agree!

Hopefully Walter will give more information if he has it?

Regards
Eddy

I did a quick search on likely patents but didn't turn up the author of this contraption. Considering some of the other bizarre things I've seen this invention is positively sensible. Check out the attached... What's up with the figurehead?

Cheers: Oliver

Just in case anyone is interested, this model is held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explore/object.cfm?ID=SLR0839

Regards
Eddy

I've since found out a little more information.... The model was designed for a competition held by the RNLI to develop a new lifeboat in 1850. The following newpaper clipping gives more details.

Regards
Eddy