Steam Thistle Cluaran

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Lopez Mike
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Boat Name: S.L. Spiffy
Location: Lopez Island, Washington State, USA

Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by Lopez Mike » Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:40 pm

Russ,

Been a member of the NWSS for many years. And its predecessor. Went to my first steamboat meet in 1961 at McConnell Island and a lot of train meets from infancy on. I was doomed from birth!

I was so parochial that I didn't know that steam launches existed anywhere else. As a kid I thought that Tommy Thompson had invented the modern revival with the Fire Canoe and that the center of steam boating was Anacortes, Washington State.

Back to the thread: I have seen very few boats as nicely turned out as Clauran. I'm impressed and intimidated.

Mike
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
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RNoe
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Boat Name: Cluaran
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:01 am

Mike:
Yea, you were smitten early on.
Experiencing Tommy Thompson's Fire Canoe and their refuge on McConnell Island is indeed representative of the rebirth of Steam Boating in the Salish Sea!
You were most fortunate. Doomed too.

For my SL Clauran to have a Blackstaffe-Wood power plant places it back at those mid-1960s early days too.
I am honored to be the care taker of such a nice Launch, and to return her to steaming! 'Living up to my nickname Russ the Restorer.
Everything from steam locomotives to the Seattle Center Monorail!

I was born interested in trains and steam, but got started "late" running full-sized steam locomotives in 1972, and never looked back.
We hosted in our home the head of the UK Birmingham Steam Museum when he visited Seattle. This was just after the Duchess of Sutherlin was restored to operation. Dreamy.

I consider the U.K to be the Home of Steam, both RR and Boats. Thank you, UK!
Happily there is also much steam activity in the US, and especially marine in the Northwest.
I never dreamed I'd see a Big Boy in steam in my lifetime, or own a steam Thistle! Both in one year.
Happiness.
RussN
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TahoeSteam
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by TahoeSteam » Mon Nov 25, 2019 3:59 am

Russ,

You've done a beautiful job! What a wonderful launch.

I have to get myself and my father up to some of the meets in those parts!
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Mon Nov 25, 2019 4:56 am

Thanks, TahoeSteam.
We are fortunate to have good steam activity in the West Coast of the US.
Maybe I'll even see you at Train Mountain next summer? It's truly a place worth visiting.
And we can steam our launches on Klamath Lake, too. That's on my List.
RussN
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TahoeSteam
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by TahoeSteam » Mon Nov 25, 2019 7:08 am

I've never been to train mountain. It's definitely on my list. First I need to invest in a locomotive...

A friend of ours sells kits for 2 and 3-truck Shays. I've always loved Shays.

Klamath is on my list for sure. Hopefully I can swing it this year. Don Mentzer always tried to get us to go when he was still well enough to attend the Delta meet down here. Just bring warm clothing, in case it decides to snow a bit.
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Mon Nov 25, 2019 4:12 pm

No need to have a train to visit Train Mountain.
Rides are usually available from anyone running there.
Warning: Rides can be 4 hours long, with no repeat of trackage!
Almost like steam boating...
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dampfspieler
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by dampfspieler » Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:36 am

Hi Russ,

what a nice boat - lovely.

Best
Dietrich
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:39 pm

Danke Sehr, Dietrich.
High compliments from you.
I admire your work.
RussN
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:08 am

I built a "Hat Box" for my boat...

Well, a Stack Box. I needed a way to safely haul the 5" diameter smoke stack assembly and flags when trailering the Steam Thistle.
So after 8 partial days of work (letting glue and paint dry...) I came up with this:
Thistle Stack Box 1 sml.jpg
Thistle Stack Box 2 sml.jpg
Thistle Stack Box 3 sml.jpg
The new Hat Box meets my needs and matches the boat hull nicely.
Shows what can be done during 2 weeks of continuous snow, rain and fog.
RussN
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:45 am

Note:
The US flag is the original flag from Steam Launch Maggie, long on shore and awaiting restoration.
I purchased her in 2000 with the intent of restoration. Obviously Life intervened and Steam Thistle Clauran came into my life in 2019.
Maggie 1a.jpg
Maggie flew that flag in the San Jaun Islands (Washington State USA) in the 1960s and beyond.
I honor her by continuing to fly her US flag on our Steam Thistle Clauran.

Maggie in 1967.
Maggie 1967.jpg
She is being reincarnated with a fiberglass "Poulsbo" hull in Lake Stevens, Washington, USA.
She also has one of the 32 Blackstaff-Wood steeple compound steam power plants made in 1960s.
I can't believe that I ended up with two of those power plants in my Shop!
The hull is one of 18(?) rare fiberglass copies made in Port Townsend WA, in the 1970s. I have located 12 of those hulls.

Hull "exchange."
Maggies 01 1-4-07.jpg
Maggies 01 1-4-07.jpg (99.46 KiB) Viewed 41631 times
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