Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Full Scale Ships => Topic started by: big_bri on January 06, 2019, 10:38:01 am
-
A unique event is taking place on Loch Lomond at 10 am Thursday 10th January. The paddle steamer, Maid of the the Loch is being slipped on the renovated slipway in Balloch.
Not only this, but she will be hauled out using the original steam powered winch system that was returned to its original working condition in 2016.
I'm really looking forward to witnessing this event, I'll post some pics later in the week.
Good luck to all involved and I hope it all goes smoothly.
-
Yes indeed! I visited her in a rainstorm a couple of years ago and there were only a handful of visitors but the people manning the vessel and the refreshments were very hospitable.
Pleased to see that her supporters seem to be overcoming the disappointment of the withdrawal of the Heritage Lottery Fund grant offer.
Hope all goes well for the slipping and look forward to seeing the photos.
Colin
-
Hopefully there will be some media coverage and video footage for the rest of us to enjoy. :-)
-
Rather interestingly, her decks are bare steel and not planked as one might have expected. Was this because after being built she had to be dismantled and reassembled on the Loch?
This looks like one ship preservation project that might actually be successful. If they can return her to steaming she will be an enormous draw with lots of local and international tourism to help sustain her. She looks in excellent condition for her age.
Colin
-
I am guessing steel decks would have been much cheaper to maintain, as they could stand a lot more neglect than wooden decking. If that is correct it might explain one reason why she survived.
-
Doing a bit of online digging I have found a reference to the original decks being wood on steel beams which were eventually replaced by steel plating which rendered the saloon areas watertight! Some further investigation came up with photos showing this.
There seems to be a suggestion that wood will be relaid on top of the steel as part of the restoration process to restore her to her original appearance. No doubt we have some experts on here who can provide more information.
Colin
-
The ship broke loose while being winched up and slid back into the Loch. Dramatic video here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-46829940/maid-of-the-loch-slips-back-into-water (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-46829940/maid-of-the-loch-slips-back-into-water)
https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1434482-whoops-maid-of-loch-falls-back-in-water-in-failed-winching/ (https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1434482-whoops-maid-of-loch-falls-back-in-water-in-failed-winching/)
Fortunately no apparent damage to the vessel it would appear, not sure about the carriage though.
Colin
-
Nobody noticed then?!
Colin
-
Unfortunately I couldn't make it on Thursday, not keeping too well lately, but I was told the cradle stuck and the cable joint parted, no damage to the ship, but the spreader bar at the front of the cradle was damaged.
-
Passing by Loch Lomond and took these pictures..
-
I saw a recent progress report on the restoration, it has been badly delayed by Covid but still going ahead slowly.
Colin
-
Shouldn't fall over if the sponsens are well chocked %)
Regards Ian.