The first steam powered lifeboat

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17 February 2009 at 06:43 #18593
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hello

For a future project I am going to build the first ever steam powered lifeboat the ‘James Stevens No.3’ built at lace>Doverlace> in 1919 and I am looking for any photos or plans. How many members would take part in a contest to construct and sail a rubber powered model boat, you see a few of us are trying to generate some active interest in this site and feel that a fun competition might just fit the bill, but unfortunately the only way to get any attention is to talk about steam powered lifeboats.

It would help us greatly if whilst reading this you could acknowledge or plans by posting a simple yes or no reply.

And the steam powered lifeboat? If it takes the building of this model to generate some response from our many quiet members then I will gladly go ahead and build it.

Paul
Advert

17 February 2009 at 06:43 #6543
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
The “James Stevens 3”
17 February 2009 at 06:51 #18594
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
You radical, you. Finish that barrel back first! or has the possible lack of a powerful i/c motor dulled your enthusiasm?? It would mine! New Brighton is a way away to come and sail an Ashleyboat 3 tho` . How about a Real steam competition for a jet boat (pop-pop)? Theres a great website devoted to the humble pop-pop, and there are some great looking boats on there… Ashley
17 February 2009 at 07:06 #18596
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Radical?

Perhaps.

but lets see how many hits we get

Pop pop boats are a good idea but the plan is to include as many members as we can regardless of skill or ability and therefore the most simple method of motion and construction is required.

New Brighton might be a long way for you to come but you could always build a boat and post it upto one of us and we would enter it for you (even take video and post it on utube)

So Ashley a simple yes or no answer is required?

Paul
17 February 2009 at 07:08 #18597
Dr John Booth
Participant
@drjohnbooth43899
YES
17 February 2009 at 08:26 #18599
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Keep up the good work, Paul, you`re doing a great job

I`ve always thought the oldest steam lifeboat was that Duke of Cumberland or a name something like that and it was built in 1895 or something like that.

The oldest lifeboat in Great Britain is Ernest something or other and it`s parked on Conway harbour foreshore

What about the rubber power rules? I started on the other thread?

Bob
17 February 2009 at 10:45 #18602
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Duke of Northumberland………..Steam lifeboat………….1889

It`s at present, rotting away down south somewhere!……..What a shame!
17 February 2009 at 20:06 #18607
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Let me post this on this thread, I put it in the other one as well so more bods see it. I have seen this as a video clip, and it is untrue. I like the idea of posting a boat! However cost is likely to become a factor if the boats are very large…. ? Ashley nb need a framework of rules and specs…

ABYA RubberBand boat race

A boat fielded by Jerry Lindquist and
Gene Mutter, representing Huron Point Yacht Club, won the ABYA
RubberBand boat race. It set a new course record of 1.42 seconds from a
standing start over the course length of thirty feet, eclipsing the old
record of ~1.8 seconds.

Powered by 8 motors (each with 12
strands of 1/4″ rubber), the boat swings two synchronized,
counter-rotating bronze 2.56 x 4.096 octura props through a 2:1
step-up. the shafts are mounted through the lower edge of the transom
giving about 45% submersion for the fixed surface-piercing props.

the boat jumped the stop-net during
practise, and shortened its nose against the far end of the pool, thus
guaranteeing that it met the 24″ overall length requirement. The
carbon-fiber hull was otherwise undamaged

WOW!!!!!
17 February 2009 at 21:21 #18609
Dr John Booth
Participant
@drjohnbooth43899
Hello Bob & Ashley

I see that Paul took the bull by the proverbials this morning with this enigmatic posting and I hope that it raises sufficient awareness to make this exercise worthwhile.

He has emailed me a basic set of rules / conditions that are loosely based upon Bobs outline comments and we are in the process of refining the details.

Jane is limiting his time on the keyboard so progress is slow but one of his first comments was that perhaps the contest could be worked into an already existing event such as a boat show where there would be a ready made source of participants and spectators.

What do you chaps think about this?

Can you think of an event that would suit or be willing to accommodate our little party?

John
18 February 2009 at 06:53 #18615
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Been thinking about the contest and can’t decide if we should focus on a serious attempt to design and build a model such as Ashley writes about (fast and complicated) or opt for a more fun angle that would allow more people to take part.

I prefer the complex build but realise that without the support of other members I could be in a contest with only 2 or 3 entrants which would be silly and counter productive to what we are trying to do.

Help and advice please.

Paul
18 February 2009 at 07:05 #18616
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Paul. Difficult. A complex craft becomes expensive and tricky to build, there being so many variables. Another aspect may be safety…the octura rubber boat was like a missile, and the boats in that contest were stopped by a large padded mat….. I rather fancy the guide-wire approach, as this gives control and safety without all the gubbins in the boat. How about a different take, such as , simply A rubber band boat, capable of a certain distance/speed, but from then on being judged by its merits…which could be simplicity, style, speed or some novel features? something like specifying home-made 2-blade props only might limit things as well..? I think a limiting simple build may be more popular and attract more entries… length, amount of rubber,1 prop, no gearing… Ashley
18 February 2009 at 07:34 #18617
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Chaps

Note………………….There are still only FOUR members contributing to this thread which is very discouraging.

A single prop may have torque problems and wouldn`t run straight naturally.

The wire idea certainly works but is an inconvenience and would cause an annoying queue if we had a good turnout.

Pauls idea is a good one of getting in on an existing club open day., and I still like the idea of New Brighton………………..if they give us their approval…………access to the water and the car park space is very attractive

For the time being…………….Let`s keep talking about it!

Bob
18 February 2009 at 08:09 #18619
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Take a look at this, chaps………………..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3b1-iECcJk

It`s a rubber powered boat on Youtube……………..but it`s only 4 secs long!

Bob
18 February 2009 at 19:25 #18628
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
I am having another think about this rubber band idea as not many people seem to be bothered.

Bob are you going to the Ellesmere show in march perhaps we could arrange a web members meeting on the big car park there.

Paul
18 February 2009 at 19:27 #18629
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
Why don’t you get a thread topic “Rubber Power” inserted in the forum? Then people have the chance to access the topic into the future. Anyway just build four boats and hold an event, that is bound to generate some interest. I think you need to specify the amount of rubber permissible to make things competitive and set a safety boundary.

David.
18 February 2009 at 19:40 #18630
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Paul

I shall certainly be going to the Ellesmere show…………………..we`ll sort out a meeting day and time shortly

Did you have a look at the Youtube item?……………it went like a rocket!……..pity there wasn`t more of it!

Bob

David……………We have got a theme title “RUBBER POWER”……..It`s just us, swopping threads every now and then and messing about!

Bob
18 February 2009 at 21:12 #18631
Dr John Booth
Participant
@drjohnbooth43899
Here is another thread to start:

Meet the Members:

Come to the Ellesmere show and meet the website members on the carpark.

Is there a big clock to meet under or should we all wear red roses in our button holes (yes its an easy joke to make but the idea is first class, I’m just to far away to attend)

John
19 February 2009 at 06:18 #18633
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
The car park is not a nice meeting place, actually………………There are plenty of warm spots inside the museum.

There has been a lot of changes in the last few years. so we`ll need to select a suitabell room somehow………Like a club stand?

I`m a bit concerned about Paul………………….he may not be up to it?

Keep talkin`

Bob
19 February 2009 at 08:46 #18634
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
It sounds pretty cold over your part of the world. Do you think that the rubber will be in it’s elastic range in those sort of temperatures? You might only get one day a year to try the boats out. I can see why people are so keen on steam power!!! ah that feels better.

Cheers.

David.
19 February 2009 at 19:29 #18647
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Ah, after running around the pond for a bit, with or without the winding apparatus and retrieving the boat from mud and bushes, you get to appreciate the limitations of rubber power. How much exactly are Octura props anyway ???? Ashley

A meeting somewhere near Kingston-upon-Thames would be my suggestion.
20 February 2009 at 17:31 #18660
Len Ochiltree
Participant
@lenochiltree67043
Where is New Brighton
20 February 2009 at 17:50 #18664
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Len

New Brighton is up North …….not far from Birkenhead

Bob
21 February 2009 at 16:34 #18673
Len Ochiltree
Participant
@lenochiltree67043
Hi Bob,

Thanks,its a bit far for me to travel,do they speak English and wear flat hats and all have Whippets ?.

Len the tease.
21 February 2009 at 17:07 #18674
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Eeeee!……..Baaaa!………..Gummm!……..Lad!……….They do that …….right `n `all!

We live off …………Black puddin`s…….Tripe `n` Eccles cakes!………..an` two penneth o` chips………Cow Heels……..an` Pig Trotters!

We`ve got a goodly collection o` Ferrets and Pidgins `n`all!

Wish you were `ere?

Owd Bob
21 February 2009 at 17:47 #18675
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Len

Its a lot easier for you rich guys from the south the travel up north as most of you have cars.

Besides we would have to have all sorts of injections before we could travel south.

Paul
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