Topic starter
08/01/2007 4:33 pm
Hello all:
First time to be here and it is a really interesting place. I need some help as I am looking for a steamboat engine that can suit into a 1910 (or similar age) build ship.Its a small passenger carried ship and its around 53 feet length only. I know its difficult to find one of this in that age and I just want to have a try. Maybe somebody can give me some ideas about the engines blueprint, pictures of the engine may looks like or is there any manufactory still can making these kind of engines at the moment? As i dont even know what it looks like.... :(.
thanks all!
james
08/01/2007 6:10 pm
Years ago I drew a set of working drawings of a pair of California cut-off engines for James Webster. The cylinders were 8 inch diameter and 40" stroke. Mr. Webster built those engines and the last I heard of them they are in Florida somewhere near Orlando. The drawings consist of 16 sheets about 40" x 30" and are fully detailed. I will sell a set of prints of them for $300.00, if your interest extends that far into your wallet. Mr. Webster is a machinist who made his own castings and did all of the machining - a big undertaking. If I were you I would think *very* carefully before attempting such a project.
08/01/2007 6:11 pm
I do not know of any manufacturer and I am not sure Jim Webster would be interested in doing it again.
08/01/2007 8:41 pm
Can you tell us more about your boat? Is it a propeller-driven steamboat ("Steam Launch"), or do you have a paddlewheel? If it's the latter, then you probably want a pair of horizontal steam engines that would push pitman arms to turn a paddlewheel, as Alan described ("California cut-off" engines). If you have a prop-driven steamboat, then you probably want a reciprocating steam engine with a crank shaft.
Topic starter
09/01/2007 12:54 pm
Appologize for the shortage of information as I am really new in this area. It is a properller-driven steam launch ship. Also is that means that Alan's California cut-off engine will not working in this boat? Or will you have any information where I can get one of this for the boat or still any manufacturer making them customize?
09/01/2007 1:18 pm
James: I would recommend Elliott Bay Steam Launch Co, Portland, Oregon, USA or Beckman on the US east coast. There are a few others in the US and a number of builders in England, also. Eliott Bay can furnish fantail hulls, marine steam engines, boilers, propellers, gauges and instruments. Check out their web site. Pat Spurlock is their general factotum there.
Topic starter
09/01/2007 1:43 pm
Hi tom. Thank you very much for your help. I will try.
Topic starter
09/01/2007 2:15 pm
Hi alan: Could you please contact me? I am willing to pay if the drawing's engines will works for the boat. thank you
09/01/2007 4:21 pm
Mr. Zhang,
The California cut-off engines are only suitable for sternwheel propulsion.