I suppose the two wheels in the pilothouse are independently linked to the steering engines (the little one for the auxiliary, the larger one on the main )?
If I had a million dollars, I'd probably buy a steam tug (or maybe a traction engine), they're awesome vessels.
The larger wheel is manual steering and takes two men to operate. The smaller wheel operates a small steam engine to operate the steering, this can be turned with one finger :)
Hi - great little engines. The irregular rotation is caused by the rather heavy cranks set at 90 degrees for easy starting. The pistons pull the crank up against gravity - it hen falls over TDC where gravity plus steam accelerates the crank down. Crank webs are heavy due so as to handle the force fit assembly stresses. There is no flywheel apart from the considerable size of the props.
The glands should leak a bit - rather have them leaking like this than running hot.
Very interesting couple of videos. I went on the Mayflower tug at Bristol, and noticed that the crew quarters were very basic indeed. How are the quarters in this one?
What threw me was that engine has short connecting rods t o reduce overll height. The piston srroke follows a sistorted harmonic motor. Each crosshead takes a longer time to go past borrom dead center than top.
Engine was just ticking over. The props are still fited. The propeller has a 6.5 foot pitch, i.e every rotation of the prop moves the boat forward 6.5 feet in the water, If you run the engines any faster whilst moored, it stands a real risk of ripping the quay side away!
Thank you. I was wondering about The irreglar appearance of each revolution was what raised my question. It was as though there was little connected inertia. I have little experience with reciprocating steam engines except for making a bearing or a piston ring now and then. Geared turbines were what I was raised on.
@Madblokey this is what is beautiful about steam- they arent fast--but there are no engines on earth save for maybe the old fairbanks morse- that produce the kind of torque generated by a steam engine!
with gas prices--people r going to rethink steam as a viable alternative to deisel and gas ...
We will be steaming the tug down to Ramsgate this Saturday. I hope to capture some video of the voyage, I will post in on here....... Watch this space....
Wonderful! Terrific job. What a terrific old steam tug. A treasure, really.
Thank you for posting this great vid.
modelleg 2 months ago
Is there a bearing loose somewhere in the works causing that knocking sound?
chibichan1701 9 months ago
watch?v=8OQJ4UrAVJw
see all screen links and pull down menu links before your visit, it'll help you out.
keplermission 9 months ago
That looks like the Furie! Was it from Maasilis?
bob84676 1 year ago
I suppose the two wheels in the pilothouse are independently linked to the steering engines (the little one for the auxiliary, the larger one on the main )?
If I had a million dollars, I'd probably buy a steam tug (or maybe a traction engine), they're awesome vessels.
Shipwright1918 1 year ago
@Shipwright1918
The larger wheel is manual steering and takes two men to operate. The smaller wheel operates a small steam engine to operate the steering, this can be turned with one finger :)
Madblokey 1 year ago
utterly wonderful .. thankyou !!
richardkelltoolmaker 1 year ago
MUY BUENO !!!!!!!!!
cidcampeador1952 1 year ago
Hi - great little engines. The irregular rotation is caused by the rather heavy cranks set at 90 degrees for easy starting. The pistons pull the crank up against gravity - it hen falls over TDC where gravity plus steam accelerates the crank down. Crank webs are heavy due so as to handle the force fit assembly stresses. There is no flywheel apart from the considerable size of the props.
The glands should leak a bit - rather have them leaking like this than running hot.
johnoxley1927 1 year ago
Very interesting couple of videos. I went on the Mayflower tug at Bristol, and noticed that the crew quarters were very basic indeed. How are the quarters in this one?
JimTLonW6 2 years ago
piston rod glands leak like a sive!
mikesolejazz 2 years ago 2
so nice. why do they let kids on that nice boat. they will just wreck it.
V8Jagnut 3 years ago
guess it kept ticking over to keep pumping water out? like the sumps on a diesel boat?
scurwen 3 years ago
Got it. Nice video, Cabary Wharf to Ramsgate.
What threw me was that engine has short connecting rods t o reduce overll height. The piston srroke follows a sistorted harmonic motor. Each crosshead takes a longer time to go past borrom dead center than top.
OperaBass1 4 years ago
Engine behaves as though it doen't have a load on it. Has the propellor been removed?
OperaBass1 4 years ago
Engine was just ticking over. The props are still fited. The propeller has a 6.5 foot pitch, i.e every rotation of the prop moves the boat forward 6.5 feet in the water, If you run the engines any faster whilst moored, it stands a real risk of ripping the quay side away!
Madblokey 4 years ago
Thank you. I was wondering about The irreglar appearance of each revolution was what raised my question. It was as though there was little connected inertia. I have little experience with reciprocating steam engines except for making a bearing or a piston ring now and then. Geared turbines were what I was raised on.
OperaBass1 4 years ago
Check out my other Portwey video, to see the engines running at full speed. Canary Wharf to Ramsgate.
Madblokey 4 years ago
@Madblokey this is what is beautiful about steam- they arent fast--but there are no engines on earth save for maybe the old fairbanks morse- that produce the kind of torque generated by a steam engine!
with gas prices--people r going to rethink steam as a viable alternative to deisel and gas ...
porpoisefathom 8 months ago
Great video, The engine does need some work but great to see.
Jm4steam 4 years ago
Nice Ship, and nice video!
orni747 4 years ago
umm...
Harland and Wolff are based in Belfast Ireland.
:D
krhall78 4 years ago
Harland and Wolff, had shipyards in Belfast and Glasgow. Check the internet....
Madblokey 4 years ago
Being a big steam tug fan I thank you for sharing this great footage.
JonatanGronoset 4 years ago
We will be steaming the tug down to Ramsgate this Saturday. I hope to capture some video of the voyage, I will post in on here....... Watch this space....
Madblokey 4 years ago
Ok, cool. *watches space* X3
JonatanGronoset 4 years ago
Ok new video of the Portwey has been posted.
Madblokey 4 years ago