Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape
The Internet's leading database of
Paddle Steamers past and present
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Here is a good illustration of paddle steamer engines and their
attached paddle wheels. This set comes from the River Danube paddle
tug Vertes (ex-Tihany) which operated from 1914 until 1963 and which
are now displayed in the grounds of the Budapest Transport Museum |
| How does a paddle
steamer engine work? Put simply, water is heated in a boiler until it
evaporates, producing steam. The steam is transferred through pipes into a cylinder
where it expands under pressure to push a piston in the cylinder. This provides
the motion which is transferred from the piston to a drive shaft (crank) which
turns the paddle wheels. The task is then to ensure that as much power as possible
is obtained from as little fuel as possible in the boiler. Throughout its history
the steam engine has evolved with engineers discovering and incorporating more
efficient means of achieving their objectives at each stage of the process.
Perhaps the most important was the development of the compound engine which
used the residual pressure of steam after it had pushed the cylinder's piston
to repeat the task in a second "low pressure" cylinder. The triple
expansion engine was a further development, where the steam was used three times,
although this was reasonably rare on lake and river paddlers. Common for deep-sea
(screw driven) vessels, even quadruple expansion was used on the largest of
ships. The precise design of the cylinders also evolved over time, with so-called
oscillating cylinders eventually replaced by fixed, diagonal-lying cylinders
being the preferred configuration in paddle steamers. Boilers themselves were
subject to continuous design improvements, especially as iron was replaced by
steel as a stronger material and the properties and reliability of steel improved
over time. This allowed steam to be delivered to the engines at higher and higher
pressures. Excursion steamer operators were no different to other commercial organisations. Cost reductions were continuously sought with the most modern technologies normally chosen for new vessels. In Britain, three large new paddlers were built shortly after World War II with steam engines (Waverley, Cardiff Queen and Bristol Queen) and whilst they incorporated the best engineering practice, they were a result of the conservative engineering policies of their owners. In the late 1920s, the marine diesel was coming to prominence in Europe and by 1930 had totally swept all before it. Even in Switzerland, where numerous steam paddlers have been retained, PS Geneve, then only 38 years old had her steam plant replaced by a diesel unit as early as 1934. Paddle steamer engines now remain mainly as a curiousity, for their own sake, as historical relics reminding us of a proud engineering heritage. Most people who see them do marvel at these magnificent pieces of machinery and they add something special to the excursion experience. |
Many paddle steamers have helpful interpretative displays to help passengers
understand how their engines work. A good example is PS Unterwalden on Lake
Lucerne which has its panels attached to the railings from where the engines
can be seen (see picture above) |
A MODERN PADDLE STEAMER ENGINE !
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All "modern" paddle steamers have been built with diesel engines, but one older steamer, PS Montreux (1904) on Lake Geneva received an entirely new set of twin-cylinder diagonal engines when she was re-converted back from diesel to steam in 2001. Her owners had hoped to convert their three other "conversions" back to steam but this was later ruled out on financial grounds and the fact that Sulzer, who had been involved in the new design finally closed its related manufacturing operation. Nevertheless we now have one example of "modern" paddle steamer engines. |
PADDLE STEAMER ENGINES PHOTO GALLERY
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Follow this link
to see photos of the engines of many of Europe's active paddle steamers, plus
other engines preserved in museums or in storage |
PADDLERS WITH DIESEL ENGINES : An even rarer breed
Paddle-wheel ships, even if not powered by steam engines,
do have their attractions, at least from the shore. Watching them pass by or
call at a nearby pier, there is nothing to distinguish them from the real thing.
On board, it is a different matter. These vessels have
enclosed engine rooms and therefore, very little of interest to view on the
main deck. The smooth operation of steam engines is replaced by the constant
din and vibration of diesels, more noticeable on some vessels than others. Whilst
it regrets any conversion from steam to motor power, especially the recent conversion
of "Goethe", the Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide recognises
that in certain circumstances it has enabled classic ships to survive. There is, of course, the hope that at some stage they might be reconverted,
as was the case with PS Montreux on Lake Geneva but these would be exceptional
cases : plans to return the remaining three Lake Geneva vessels to steam faltered
on cost grounds, as did the hopes of retro-fitting the original engines of MPV
Diessen when it was rebuilt in 2006. |
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DATABASE MAIN MENU |
Click on the links in the left hand column of the table below to go to the required section of the database |
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The
Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide's objectives and views. | |
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Operational
Paddle Steamers |
In public service,
their operating companies and website links (includes motor paddlers) |
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Articles and photographs
: current issues and vessel profiles |
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OTHER ASSOCIATED WEBSITES |
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Clyde
Turbine Steamer Foundation |
Clyde and other passenger
turbine
steamers, surviving ferries and ocean liners |
