The Steamboating Forum

My vertical, fire tube Semple boiler sits on a sheet metal wrapped piece of 1/2 inch thick Transite. It appears the wrap is made of two thin sheets, the first with edges turned up, and the second welded completely around to formally seal the Transite inside.

The metal, which is also the floor of the ash dump has rusted through on the top surface, not only making scraping out the ash difficult but now that I've removed the boiler, needs to be replaced.

Two questions come to mind: 1) Is there a reason the Transite is completely wrapped or can I, after removing the current wrap, merely lay a new sheet of metal on top leaving the edges and under surface open? and 2) if 1) indicates there is no reason for a complete wrap, can I use a thin sheet of stainless to avoid the rusting problem I currently have?

Hmmm-by transite are you referring to the asbestos-concrete pipe material? Perhaps it was covered just to protect it from damage while shoveling out the ashes.We used to use this stuff all the time and never thought anything about it-til they told us it was dangerous.Now I watch guys in full haz-suits and respirators removing stuff like I installed.It's a good thing I held my breath! Den

Yes, I presume its transite based on its original construction in the early 1980's and the fact that it appears to be pretty light weight. I can understand protection from ash shovels but not sure why it was completely wrapped...even on the bottom...and welded shut with solid weld all the way around.

Thinking so more about it you don't think the transite was placed there just to stop heat transfer in the bilge area?

farmerden wrote:Thinking so more about it you don't think the transite was placed there just to stop heat transfer in the bilge area?

Knowing the original owner of the boat, YES