The Steamboating Forum

And this one is doing fine in some choppy conditions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdxBZncspek

Yep , now turn round and go the other way! He he.

Yes, there are a couple of them (sidewheel steamers) around, two direct drive (1:1) Swiss launches that I know of. Both high end boats. Plus a few larger passenger carrying sidewheelers running around the lakes in Europa. And then, of course, the ocean-going Medway Queen.

That rough water must imply rocks underwater?? No thanks.

fredrosse wrote:Yes, there are a couple of them (sidewheel steamers) around, two direct drive (1:1) Swiss launches that I know of. Both high end boats. Plus a few larger passenger carrying sidewheelers running around the lakes in Europa. And then, of course, the ocean-going Medway Queen.

And the Waverley.
And for stern wheelers, this is supposedly the biggest.

No fair! That's a steam wheeler.

Is that monster actually propelled by that little wheel?

Yes, I mixed up the ship names, the PS Waverley is the only seagoing paddle ship, and the Medway Queen is another, not presently in operation.


"No fair! That's a steam wheeler,
Is that monster actually propelled by that little wheel?"

Yes steam, but a sternwheeler

The American Queen has both steam driven paddlewheel, plus Dissel Z drives, as the paddle wheel is to small to move the large boat in every situation. The American Queen is 418 feet long and 89 feet 4´´ high. Equipped with 222 staterooms the "Queen" gives room for up to 436 passengers.

Lopez Mike wrote:No fair! That's a steam wheeler.

Is that monster actually propelled by that little wheel?

Worse than that, it's not always all there! The amount of rubbish, whole trees etc, that are just floating about, has to be seen to be believed. They replaced six panels while we were on board and the next day this was there.
I did of course take the opportunity to go below and visit the business bit. On asking an awkward question I was summoned forward to the boiler room to meet the duty engineer, a very knowledgeable guy.

""The amount of rubbish, whole trees etc, that are just floating about, has to be seen to be believed.""

I believe it, I've seen it many times. That generally happens in the spring when the water levels are high, as it does with most rivers. It only lasts a week or so and it is simply nature doing what nature does. The trick is steer around it or if it is too thick, stay off of it. I would imagine replacing a few boards on that commercial steamer is cheaper than leaving it tied up though.

The river/lake I lived on for 14 years would fluctuate depending on which year about 16 feet (359 - 375) from winter to spring. That is why all of the docks float.

-Ron

The tides where I live now run about ten feet and where I grew up they were about twenty feet so anything that collected along the shore either got floated off or got securely deposited above the high tide line (where I collect it for fuel!)

It does make it convenient for fussing with the bottom of my boat. Just run aground and wait a bit.

The Waverley is the only remaining steam side wheeler that really regularly actually goes on an ocean with passengers. She has been featured in major movie for a few minutes - can't remember which - one of the new Sherlock Holmes movies?

So many good videos of the Waverly online....

This video strikes me - because the capstan steam engine would alone be plenty to power any of her launched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhUr_bC74mU

-CB