Where are they now?

[Chris W]

I was asked by someone at the Maritime Museum if I could find the whereabouts of a launch named Fearless which was based in San Diego several years ago. That got me wondering about two other boats I used to see in Newport Beach in the 70's/80's, a launch named Vapor (possibly a Herreshoff?) and Chad O'Conner's tug Well Stacked.
Does anyone here know where any of these boats are?
Thanks,
Chris

[87gn@tahoe]

Here are several threads on the Wooden boat forum which mention "Vapor":

This first one has pictures of the (long gone) Leviathan also:
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... e-planking

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... Vapor-quot

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... ight=vapor

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... Vapor-quot

Those involved with her claim she went over 20kts. Trying to get more pictures or further info on her is like pulling teeth

Chris McMullen of New Zealand is building a very detailed replica of her that some of the members on here may know more about.

As far as "Fearless" and "Well Stacked" go, I will have to ask my father.

So, how does one arrange a ride on the Medea?

The builder of my boat used to engineer on her many years ago. Charles Grosjean was his name.

[Chris W]

Wes,
Thank you for posting the links to the articles on Vapor. I never knew the history of her, I just saw her sitting in the slip with a full cover most time when I would sail by. I met Jay Greer through a mutual friend thirty or more years ago so this has turned into one of those "small world" moments.
Regarding Medea, we used to take her out about 20 times in a year for schmooze cruises but have had to cut back to 6-8 because of the expense of running her in fuel and manpower. Most of the hands are volunteers but myself and the engineers are full time staff at the museum so it adds up. I'm pushing to have her admeasured at the next haul out so we can get a certificate of documentation, the first step toward getting a passenger COI. The Coast Guard is willing to work with us to have her certificated as a T boat which would allow her to meet expenses by doing some charter work.
That said, when I get the years steaming schedule I'll get in touch and see if any of the dates work out.
Cheers,
Chris

[Edward]

Dear Wesley

Thanks for posting these links about Vapor and her restoration/rebuild. It is nice to know that something of such beauty and historic value is being treated properly .
There is however one aspect that I find hard to credit and that is the stated top speed.

To get over 20 knots from a 30' displacement hull with a steam plant seems quite extraordinary: We all know that Nathaniel Herreshof was an extremely accomplished marine designer, engineer and boat builder but even so a V root L of over 5 does not seem credible when a good figure is considered to be 1.3 - 1.5 . A planing hull might reach this speed with the stated power but although there are several comments regarding the shape of the underside of the hull towards the stern I can't see that this gives a planing capability and surely the power wouldn't be enough to get onto the plane .
The articles do state that the present scantlings are heavier than the originals and the original boiler life was short (presumably because it was lightly built for its output)

But surely this top speed cannot be right ? Or have I in my usual way misread things or used my calculator incorrectly ?

Regards Edward .

[87gn@tahoe]

I think you are correct Edward. It seems highly improbable that she reached much more than half that speed.

[fredrosse]

The sidewheeler Margaret S. has gone over 80MPH, even with the trailer attached!

[dhic001]

I think the 20 knot claim is rather exaggerating the matter, but the Herreshoff launches were very fast for their size, and very high powered. Don't underestimate the power those plants can put out. I belive Chris was talking about a speed of around 14 knots for his 34 footer when done, but its awhile since I spoke to him about it. It may yet be many years before his launch is seen in service unfortunately.

Daniel

[87gn@tahoe]

Most steamboaters/boaters in general greatly embellish their claims of speed. I refuse to believe any reported speeds, historical or otherwise, without proof via GPS device.

I only noted it as his claim, did not note it as fact.

Did Chris ever solve the crankshaft issue?

[dhic001]

I've just returned from an Auckland Steam Engine Society meeting at the workshop of Chris McMullen. I'm pleased to report that progress is being made on the replica Herreshoff steam launch. Chris has for many years been building a replica 34 foot Herreshoff launch, to his usual exacting standards. It is worth noting that while the boat is very similar to Vapor, mentioned earlier, it is NOT a replica of Vapor, but a replica of another Herreshoff launch, so has a different yard number and is indeed a longer vessel.

Chris has built virtually everything himself, engine boiler, hull and fittings. Wes aludes to the crankshaft problem. Chris now knows that his crankshaft was not made from SG iron as originally intended, so fears it may break under load. As the crankshaft is a very complex one to make, it has been rather a problem to chris for quite awhile. he has now decided to get the boat finished and then worry about it, it may end up being ok.

For the first time today we were able to see the Herreshoff launch with the engine and boiler in place at last. Unfortunately I didn't take a camera, but it certainly looks most impressive. Chris also showed us the Marsh pumps he has been building for the boat. For years Chris didn't know what pumps the boat should have on it, as they aren't Herreshoff parts, so aren't on the drawings. When he finally tracked down Vapor, and was able to study it, he found it has Marsh pumps, and was able to measure them up for replicas. Chris hasn't been able to make the valve chest arrangement for the steam shuttle valve, but bought two similar Marsh pumps and is using the shuttle valve chests off these pumps for his ones. Infact he tested one of the ones he'd bought today. The launch carries two pumps, one has an air pump on one side of the steam cylinder, and a feed pump on the other side, while the other is purely a feed pump but has hand operating gear on it too. Chris is well on the way to having the pumps done, then plumbing can commence. he is also finishing off some hull work, and isn't far off being able to finally mount the rudder, allowing the steering to be set up.

This will be a seriously impressive launch when finished, although that may be some way away yet.

Daniel

[Mike Rometer]

I refuse to believe any reported speeds, historical or otherwise, without proof via GPS device.

Even a GPS is not necessarily 100% accurate, unless it is altitude compensated, or re-claculated. We're all just the same as fishermen really.