Herbiev
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Hi all. Just doing a bit of research on paddle-steamers on the Murray river here in Oz and came across this little gem of information.
The boiler of the Mary Ann 1853
William Randells PS Mary Ann was the first steamer to trade on the Murray. The only surviving relic of this famous boat is its boiler.
The boiler was generally regarded as the weakest part of the set up. According to Mabel Kinmont, Randells grand-daughter, it seemed that when the boiler was fired up, it expanded almost beyond belief and made enough noise to frighten even the most intrepid supporter of steam power.
To control it, a chain was wrapped around its middle and wooden wedges were driven between the chain and the sides, However, even with the chain in place, when the vessel was proceeding at high speed the sides and top of the boiler would swell in and out like a concertina.
When the fire first started, the engineer, probably Williams brother Elliott, made a hasty retreat for the bank and from the shelter of a large gum tree waited until he could hear the regular beat of the pistons
The deficienciesof the Mary Ann were soon realised and in the face of superior competition it was scrapped in 1854. For a few years its hull was re-used as one half of the twin hulled Gemini. The old boiler was simply ditched in the river.
About 40 years later, with the steamer industry at its peak, the historic value of the abandoned boiler was first realised. James Scott, an engineer working for William Randell, salvaged the boiler. Randell had told Scott that if he wanted to pull the boiler out it would have to be in his own time.
http://www.psmarion.com/images/images/william_randell/boiler_2.png
Thank goodness regulations are now in place ;D
The boiler of the Mary Ann 1853
William Randells PS Mary Ann was the first steamer to trade on the Murray. The only surviving relic of this famous boat is its boiler.
The boiler was generally regarded as the weakest part of the set up. According to Mabel Kinmont, Randells grand-daughter, it seemed that when the boiler was fired up, it expanded almost beyond belief and made enough noise to frighten even the most intrepid supporter of steam power.
To control it, a chain was wrapped around its middle and wooden wedges were driven between the chain and the sides, However, even with the chain in place, when the vessel was proceeding at high speed the sides and top of the boiler would swell in and out like a concertina.
When the fire first started, the engineer, probably Williams brother Elliott, made a hasty retreat for the bank and from the shelter of a large gum tree waited until he could hear the regular beat of the pistons
The deficienciesof the Mary Ann were soon realised and in the face of superior competition it was scrapped in 1854. For a few years its hull was re-used as one half of the twin hulled Gemini. The old boiler was simply ditched in the river.
About 40 years later, with the steamer industry at its peak, the historic value of the abandoned boiler was first realised. James Scott, an engineer working for William Randell, salvaged the boiler. Randell had told Scott that if he wanted to pull the boiler out it would have to be in his own time.
http://www.psmarion.com/images/images/william_randell/boiler_2.png
Thank goodness regulations are now in place ;D