News from the hole - June 2002
Slow but sure is the best way of describing progress over the last eight weeks. The back cabin structure is now finished. All boards inside and out have been given multiple coats of a 2-part epoxy resin, which makes them impervious to water. The next stage will be fitting out.
The cabin work progressing well - Photo Judy Spencer
Some very interesting decisions have been made, notably the provision of two roof slides on the engine cabin top. You will recall that there was one, which covered the radius cut out. After careful consultation with our guru and archivist Richard, who declared that there is evidence that cabin slides were fitted on different sides and in some cases two were fitted. We have therefore decided in the interests of safety to fit two. Which of course will make access to the hole easier.
The new "back" end showing the new storage area, designed to keep oil and other chemicals away from the ever present coal dust.
Photo Judy Spencer
The next one came about when I was discussing with Ian Kemp the problems of getting the boiler in and out of the boat every five years, which in the past meant the removal of the boiler cabin top which of course distorted it and broke the weather seal. Ian put forward the view that ‘they’ would not have done that in the past. The forward bulkhead would have been removed and the boiler slid in or out on greased rails from the hold. So that is what we have decided to do. The existing smoke box will be reduced in height to enable it to clear the cabin top supports as it is slid in or out. The funnel with its hinged mounting will be mounted on a removable plate; the underside will be extended down to meet the top of the smoke box.
Work on the engine is moving ahead. We are still waiting for the crankshaft but there is now movement. The filter housing and water manifold are complete, (thank you Eric) which leaves the inlet and exhaust manifold to be done.
Dave Stott
The propeller Saga
We have now had our new blades delivered – twice. You will recall that we have had to have a new one made because the engine now runs anticlockwise – the opposite direction to the old one. But, after making careful arrangements to have it delivered from Holland, when it arrived it was too big! It has therefore been back to Holland and ground down to size. The new blades have a pitch of approximately 42" and a diameter of 32".
Last edited:- 06-Aug-2008