An Historical Endeavor
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:53 am
Hello steam launchers,
A bit of background:
Late last year, I began volunteering at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California. I worked almost exclusively (and, being a senior in high school with little homework and even less motivation to do the homework I had, vigorously) on the stationary steam engines and the steam traction engines we have there. I picked up an amount of experience that would have surprised me three years ago (now I recognize how much life is a continuous learning experience, and that everything that seems complicated is really just a complex set of simple rules), eventually learning the joy of solid-fuel firing full-sized boilers and restoring a 1/3 scale traction engine they had tucked away in the back of the barn, bringing it from a heap of scrap on a frame to a tuned, timed, and silent feat of precision... mostly.
Having now graduated high school and learning that my father and I must relocate to Phoenix, AZ, for his work (he worked at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which closed about a year ago), I have been thinking about what to do to occupy my spare time (and satisfy my love of reciprocating steam engines and need to get real-world mechanical experience before becoming an architect). After the last few months of lurking about this forum, spending hours watching videos of steam boat meets, and endlessly perusing the websites of every prominent steam launch/equipment supplier, I have decided that a steam launch is the way to go (our house will be only about an hour's drive south of Lake Pleasant).
As for which design of launch, I knew initially that no common design would work (I simply would not be satisfied with building a propeller boat). Fred Rosse's Margaret S. provided much eye candy for me (as it has done for so many), and I was initially set on the Rebel plan available from Reliable Steam Co., going so far as to order the drawings ($50 for an idea of what goes into one of these designs, why not?).
However, I recently made another discovery, which has set my mind on exactly the type of launch I would like to construct. A few days ago, I stumbled upon the story of John Fitch and his unique paddle-based method of propulsion, and I knew before the day was out that that was exactly the kind of boat I wanted to replicate.
(for those of you yet unfamiliar with the design, an engraving can be found here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ped%29.jpg
and a video of a model can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuuOhfdT8yc)
The design, I know, isn't the most efficient, or the fastest, or the prettiest. I've even heard that some say the design looks strange, which, to me, is even more reason to choose this design over others.
I understand that building a steam launch is no small endeavor, however, I am confident (in perhaps an arrogant or naive youthful way) that between my own stubborn will to learn and create, and the information and support available through the steamboating community, this endeavor will, eventually, be successful.
Brenton
A bit of background:
Late last year, I began volunteering at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California. I worked almost exclusively (and, being a senior in high school with little homework and even less motivation to do the homework I had, vigorously) on the stationary steam engines and the steam traction engines we have there. I picked up an amount of experience that would have surprised me three years ago (now I recognize how much life is a continuous learning experience, and that everything that seems complicated is really just a complex set of simple rules), eventually learning the joy of solid-fuel firing full-sized boilers and restoring a 1/3 scale traction engine they had tucked away in the back of the barn, bringing it from a heap of scrap on a frame to a tuned, timed, and silent feat of precision... mostly.
Having now graduated high school and learning that my father and I must relocate to Phoenix, AZ, for his work (he worked at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which closed about a year ago), I have been thinking about what to do to occupy my spare time (and satisfy my love of reciprocating steam engines and need to get real-world mechanical experience before becoming an architect). After the last few months of lurking about this forum, spending hours watching videos of steam boat meets, and endlessly perusing the websites of every prominent steam launch/equipment supplier, I have decided that a steam launch is the way to go (our house will be only about an hour's drive south of Lake Pleasant).
As for which design of launch, I knew initially that no common design would work (I simply would not be satisfied with building a propeller boat). Fred Rosse's Margaret S. provided much eye candy for me (as it has done for so many), and I was initially set on the Rebel plan available from Reliable Steam Co., going so far as to order the drawings ($50 for an idea of what goes into one of these designs, why not?).
However, I recently made another discovery, which has set my mind on exactly the type of launch I would like to construct. A few days ago, I stumbled upon the story of John Fitch and his unique paddle-based method of propulsion, and I knew before the day was out that that was exactly the kind of boat I wanted to replicate.
(for those of you yet unfamiliar with the design, an engraving can be found here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ped%29.jpg
and a video of a model can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuuOhfdT8yc)
The design, I know, isn't the most efficient, or the fastest, or the prettiest. I've even heard that some say the design looks strange, which, to me, is even more reason to choose this design over others.
I understand that building a steam launch is no small endeavor, however, I am confident (in perhaps an arrogant or naive youthful way) that between my own stubborn will to learn and create, and the information and support available through the steamboating community, this endeavor will, eventually, be successful.
Brenton
