In this rare video, we see Paddle Steamer Waverley re-boilered at Stobcross Quay in Glasgow in March 1981.
Waverley's original boiler, built by Rankin & Blackmore at the Eagle Foundry in Greenock was
installed in Waverley, at the Victoria Harbour Greenock in February 1947.
It was originally a hand stoked coal-fired unit with six furnaces; three at either end. It was converted to burn Bunker Oil in the winter of 1956/57 by the installation of a Howden patented oil firing system.
As Waverley approached 34 years of age, the successful and long term operation of the ship depended on the reliability of the single boiler with which she was fitted.
In 1980, the decision was made to re-boiler Waverley. To ensure Waverley had a future a new modern, reliable and economic boiler had to be sourced. It was hoped that a new boiler would make Waverley more economical to operate when faced with ever rising fuel costs.
All manner of options were considered before the contract to build a new boiler for ‘The worlds Last Sea Going Paddle Steamer’ was awarded to Babcock Power Ltd (Shell boiler division) of Renfrew.
Waverley’s original Scotch boiler required very gradual heating due to its age and was latterly given 3 days to warm through! Once steamed, pressure was not allowed to fall below 100lb/in2 at any time, necessitating a fireman on night duty to ‘flash up’ to full pressure as required.
The new boiler chosen for Waverley was a ‘special’ Babcock Steambloc TC50 adapted for marine use to meet Waverley’s rather unusual needs. The new burner equipment was supplied by H Saake Ltd who worked with the engineers of Babcock Power. The order was placed in July 1980, for delivery in early March 1981.
The lighter weight of the new boiler resulted in Waverley floating a mean 2” higher in the water; with her paddle wheels at a more favourable immersion. The distribution of weight fore and aft now gave her a level trim with a beneficial effect on her steering.
The Steambloc boiler aimed at quick steam raising and sensitive response to rapid fluctuations of demand. Start up from cold could be achieved in 5 hours.
Manning costs were reduced as only one fireman was required in the boiler room when the steamer was underway, this resulted in two less men required in the engine room department.
As it was proposed to equip the new boiler with spinning cup type burners, with all electric pumps fans and attendant control gear it was obvious a complete re-think of the generating capacity was necessary.
Two Caterpillar generators were installed; both comprised a 3306 turbocharged engine, direct-coupled to an 110kW alternator. Each unit was water cooled and had its own heat exchanger and sea-pump.
The contract for the project was awarded to Clyde Dock Engineering Ltd of Govan.
The Babcock Steambloc Boiler was removed from Waverley after 19 years service at Great Yarmouth in 2000, during the first phase of Waverley's £7 Million Millennium Rebuild. Although it had an estimated residual life of 5 to 10 years at that time, it failed to find further service and was scrapped.
It was replaced by two Thermax Boilers made by Cochran's of Annan.
Why not join the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society to help keep Waverley sailing for future generations to enjoy -new members are always welcome.
For full details visit www.paddlesteamers.org/join/
29 июн 2019
