The Steamboating Forum

So I was finally able to get out to the Minnehaha's barn got the official tour and met a lot of great guys who volunteer their time to keep her up and running. One the interesting facts mentioned was that they refurbish about 1/3rd of her every winter.

The Bow


The Original Screw, 40in dia.


Stern
Notice the plastic from the waterline down. I was told that was a way to keep the wood reasonably humid so it doesn't shrink too much during the winter months.


The Wheel
The original wheel that was pulled up with the hull. I was told that it pretty much looked the way it does now without any need for refinishing when it was pulled up.


Port Light


Original Spotlight


The Stack
Retractible so she can clear low bridges.



The Head
Not originally in the boat. Was added later.


HP Piston Valve


Cleaver Brooks Boiler
Nothing special about this guy. Just a standard off the shelf deal. Completely automated.


The Triple


LP Piston


The Engine 2


Boiler
The gentleman who found the Minnehaha hull also found some other interesting things on the bottom. One of them being this (scotch marine?) boiler. The crew isn't sure what it's from or what type it is exactly. If anybody has any ideas your insight would be much appreciated.




Compound
Yet another find from the bottom. Anybody have any ideas on make or how old it is?

The boiler is certainly NOT a scotch, it looks like a loco type.
regards Jack

Definitely a loco , and end fired which is slightly unusual for a marine loco boiler . Of couse it doesn't have to be from a boat as until recently most people probably thought it acceptable to get rid of junk in the nearest lake , river or canal .

It certainly looks as if you're starting to make contacts with other local steam enthusiasts .

Edward

The gentleman that showed me the boiler said they were "pretty sure" it was for marine use but he was by no means an expert. I was surprised how plain and rudimentary the compound looked. Anybody recognize it's design?

-Mike

The compound looks like someone's one-off shop project.. A lot of the smaller foundrys and machine shops used to do one-off stuff like that "way back when".

The build quality of the compound looks more like a model than a "real" engine, I would think it is a one-off as well. If workshop staff had any spare time they would churn out something like this, whether they knew about steam engines or not.

On the boiler, what makes a boiler a marine type? I would imagine most boilers are water tight

Hi Mike,

the shown boiler is a "marine loco type". I think it was built in the middle of the 1890s.
Here a picture from an SIMPSON & STRICKLAND Catalogue from the beginning of 20th century.

The place of the fire door depends from the possibilities at the vessel.
The original of the FALK loco built from MARSCHUTZ & CANTREL was built in the same way.

Dietrich

Dietrich, once again, you are the man! Thanks so much!

ref the boiler, I would say it probably was for a boat due to the very short length, its interesting note the modern fittings, cannot be too old? also the unusual "saddle" over the firebox crown area. As for the engine ... I would throw it back.
regards jack