Request for Information: Early Steamboats in the Amazon

[AYork]

Hello again -- I'm a Canadian novelist with some specific questions about nineteenth century steamboats in the Amazon region. If anyone has a special interest in that area, or can point me in the right direction, please let me know. Many thanks!

(Please let me know if there's a more appropriate place to post this request.)

[gondolier88]

As the vast majority of steamboats used in south america, africa and australia were of British origin then your questions will be valid on here, and if you ask them publicly you will get a large pool of knowledge to help with any details.

Fire away...!

Greg

[AYork]

Thanks, Greg.

Okay, so I need to know if a steam launch similar to the one pictured here would be found the 1860s in Manaus, Brazil and points upriver on the Rio Negro:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin-jam ... /lightbox/

- If so, would the configuration pictured here be typical? (i.e. Engine/boiler just aft of the helm, cabin aft of the canopy?) Doesn't that get awfully hot for the pilot/captain?

- Is canopy the right term?

- I'm imagining a cabin that sleeps 3 or 4, with room for a few more in hammocks under the canopy. What would be an appropriate length/beam/draught?

-Approximately how much wood would such a boat burn in a day on the river?

-Maximum speed? "Cruising" speed?

- Could 2 or 3 crew (including the captain) operate such a vessel?

Any links to pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help! - Alissa

[gondolier88]

Firstly, no, not really- SL Amazon is a fairly early high class teak carvel built steam launch designed for use on the Thames- fairly low powered, small range, no cargo space, day cabin, locomotive boiler and opulently decorated. She would be utterly swamped in a wind on tide situation on such an expanse as the Rio Negro.

However, with the money that was available to the rubber barons in the 1860's, yachts of between 50-150 tons would have been commonplace, each having one or two launches serving the vessels as tenders and lifeboats.

The yachts would have been built of wood in the majority, some of the larger ones possibly of iron. They would have been sail powered, perhaps with steam auxiliary. There may have been the odd true steam yacht around in the 1860's, but rare.

Their launches would have been between 18-30ft long. Beamy sea boats, they would have had transom sterns, high bows, plenty of sheer and a decent draft. It is not entirely impossible that the yachts and launches would have been copper sheathed to deal with the boring worms in the waters of the Amazon. None would have a beam of less than 5ft, with the 30ft'ers having a beam of around 7ft.

In the 1860's the majority of steam plants would have been heavy and cumbersome; majority using Scotch return boilers, or gunboat boilers. The smaller ones using reversing single cylinder engines with a boiler working pressure of between 30-50psi, non condensing on the Rio Negro as freshwater is clean and plentiful. The larger launches may have had compound engines, with boiler working pressures of around 60psi, they may also have quite likely had condensing plants as the larger yachts would have gone onto the dirty Amazon, and possibly into saltwater.

As well as the private launches, there would have been many small cargo steamers transporting goods up and down the river, most would have been paddle steamers and small stern-wheeler passenger boats of around 80-90ft. With captain, engineer and one or two deck crew. Crew would sleep outdoors on deck in hammocks.

http://dawnontheamazon.com/blog/2011/09 ... ince-1876/

Greg

[AYork]

Thanks so much for your in-depth reply, Greg -- this is very helpful! - Alissa

[AYork]

Thanks again to Greg for information already received on Amazon River vessels in the 1860's. I have a few more questions if Greg or anyone else can help:

1) What would be the set-up on a 30-foot steam launch -- i.e. where are the helm, engine, cabin, etc. in relation to one another?

2) What would be the average or "cruising" speed of such a vessel?

3) Briefly, what are the stopping and starting procedures -- i.e., is there an equivalent to firing up or cutting the engine?

4) Around how much wood would such a vessel go through in an average day's travel? (I realize this would vary widely -- I just need a ballpark.)

Once again, many thanks in advance!

- Alissa

[DetroiTug]

1 The tiller/helm can be in different places depending on the type of boat and level of fitting out. In that point in time and in that area due to its reliability and ease of repair, the tiller might have been a simple tiller arm setup mounted directly to the rudder over the transom or to a rudder post - typical of small sailboats today. Or it may have had a wheel up front in a very open and smallish wheelhouse.

The engine is typically behind the boiler and both are near the middle of the boat. The boiler being further forward. If there is a cabin, the engine and boiler is more than likely in it. Due to the climate, a cabin would not be likely, moreso a full length canopy (roof) to block sun with side curtains that drop down at night for sleeping. Or a small wheelhouse in the front with a canopy behind.

2 6 - 8 knots, lazy cruise at 4 or 5 knots

3 Startup: Fill the boiler with water probably by a handpump, however if the boat was ran the day prior the boiler would be full in the morning as the steam condensed overnight it created a vacuum and drew the boiler full of lake water. Build a fire that starts with kindling and added to with well seasoned wood until the fire was going fully. While the fire is building, the engine is checked and oiled. All oilers are filled for the days run. Bilge pumped if it rained the night before etc. The fireman would be dedicated to the task and not distracted.

Shut down: fire dampers closed, oilers shut off. Main steam valve closed.

4 Around 250 pounds of wood depending how sleek (narrow) she is at 30'. Wider heavier hull at 30'- 350 pounds.

Here is an example from the movie Jivaro:



Here is another much larger vessel from Fitzcaraldo:





And don't forget the good ol' African queen, undoubtedly the most technically inaccurate steamboat related movie ever made:
They got the size and type of boat right, but that's about it.



-Ron

[AYork]

Thanks so much, Ron -- very helpful!

[AYork]

Okay, I think this is my last question. About that bilge, Ron (or anyone else who cares to answer) -- where would the pump be located on a 30' launch?

Many thanks,
Alissa

[DetroiTug]

Alissa,

The bilge pump for pumping out water in the bilge of the hull could be anywhere near the middle of the boat. More then likely near the bilge area down low.

The handpump to fill the boiler would be more than likely in proximity to the engine and boiler - again down low.

The feedpump would most likely be driven from the engine and mounted on the engine near the bottom driven from the crankshaft.

Most pumps are mounted low to make it easier for them to pick up water.

-Ron