On 5/10 "Denis Kerr" <deniskerr@hotmail.com> posted a note to Paddleducks

Evening Captain Denis - welcome from Australia and (Derek in Wollongong
NSW) - and thanks for the posting re your command of PS Pyap

I have two photographs of PS Pyap - from the publication "Ships of the
Inland Rivers" by Ronald Parsons - (ISBN 0947248346) - I am sure you know
page 120 of the publication etc

I am progressing (about 60% of a 1/24 scale of PS Decoy as shown on page 64
of the same text) and have a few questions which you may be able to clarify

1) what type if any did PYAP and or Decoy have for navigation lights?
2) photographs of both vessels dispaly pairs of huge search lights (24"
diameter?) - I could sort of understand in latter years as early acetelyene
gas burners, but the time frame seems questionable

regards Derek

Belive the large spot lites were powered by oil lamps. the large
reflector was to get the most out of the best source then avaible
jeffery

Thanks Jeffery

Just about every paddler in the book has them (they appear to be approx
twice the size/diameter of a mans head) - (each has what appears to be a
chainman's hat vent or breather on top, although cannot see any evidence of
piston plunger for pressurising the fluid as in a tilly lamp etc)

Makes more sense as oil lights - I think shale oil (similar viscosity to
kerosene) was used in Australia in the mid 1800's - although even with a 24"
reflector I couldn't imagine a great light being shone

regards Derek