At the 2013 Model Engineer Exhibition Alan Ludbrook entered this fascinating catamaran design by Patrick Miller and built in Leith in 1788.

Apparently it didn't work too well and was rejected by the King of Sweden and finally broken up in Russia.

In addition to conventional sail propulsion, there were three paddle wheels mounted centrally along the hull which were turned by manpower on the capstans on deck.

A very clever idea and reminiscent of the steam powered central paddle wheel designs featured on American Civil War ironclads 170 years later.

Colin

The five masted sailplan of Experiment

The capstans are used to turn the centrally mounted paddle wheel which can just be glimpsed through the deck hatch. There were three paddlewheels.

The bow of Experiment showing the catamaran design, something which is commonly seen on modern vessels over 200 years later.

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 14/12/2013 18:23:23