The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

MooseMan · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: The MooseFleet

Ok, there have been one or two references to my little collection of boats

so I'll post them here - they're all on my website as well.

My "Arrow" steam launch (called "Môr-Forwyn" by me). Built from a set of plans by Hobbies. I built this boat recovering from a serious illness, I had NO knowledge of woodwork when I started. There is a build diary at:
http://www.freewebs.com/odilon/arrowbuilddiary.htm
This boat has basic radio control. The power plant is a Bowman 135 boiler coupled to a SEL marine engine. Video at:
http://webzoom.freewebs.com/odilo...%20files/arrow%20sea%20trials.mov

Bowman-Hobbies Snipe" ca.1930. Single cylinder oscillating engine. The hull and engine are 100% original, but the spray hood and rear deck were missing when I bought this boat.

Midwest Fantail Launch, built from a kit made in the US. The hull was partially completed when I got it, but the engine still had to be made up. The hull is rather more sophisticated than you normally find. Basic radio control, goes very well.
Video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mknz0Cc1L18

"Mabel", a Basil Harley design, with a Clyde Model Dockyard outboard steam motor. The hull's nice, but the engine is absolutely unique, I've never seen another one. The superstructure was made by myself, but I'm not happy with it so will probably be changed.

1948 Bowman-Luton Snipe, requiring full restoration. Basically complete, but missing a few small bits like the rudder. I'm about to start work on this.
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IndianaRog · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject:

Moose...very nice to see the fleet on the water and in dry dock...lovely collection for sure. That Snipe is quite the stunner for original wood!!!
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fcrammond · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

Hi Moose,
I'm a little surprised that you named your fantail Ellan Vannin. The original Isle of Man Steam Packet Company PS Ellan Vannin went down with all hands and passengers on a stormy night in the Irish Sea. Even the Titanic had a few survivors. Not a lucky name really.

I'm sure I saw a steam outboard at Tilford this year. Will root through my photos. Stay tuned
Fred

SillyBilly · Guest

Super! I want to build a Hobbies Arrow now!

James · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject:

That FanTail just does everything for me!

I want!!!
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John Chapman · Guest

Brilliant collection

fcrammond · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

Ahah! I have him.
I'm not sure who owns the thing but it's very covetable. It is clearly the very same boat and engine illustrated on page 39 of Toyshop Steam.

Whilst I'm there here is a picture of their pool

I'm hoping to have something similar but smaller at STIA2008. It's supposed to be a hard winter so if you are planning on boating it might be an idea to bring an ice yacht as a backup.And a pair of thick gloves.

A rather nice Hobbies Launch

[/img]
It's big, that's a Swallow in the background

And finally, one of mine own

[/img]

I like Tilford but you do get some rough types there

[/img]

steamyjim · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

Love the boats Moose!

Fred is it OK if i run me model steam boat in the pond at STIA its not a toy as such but its good fun

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fcrammond · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

Steamyjim
Sadly, it's Steam toys in Action not A Lot of Fun in Action. We are forever under the Damoclean Sword of Health'n'Safety and so far we have avoided closure on the grounds that Toys are inherently safe or they wouldn't be suitable for children. Once we let models in with their home made boilers operating at G*d knows what pressures we will have to insist that ALL engines have boiler certificates. This is a road down which i do not want to go so I am afraid that it's Toy Boats only on the pond (assuming I get my act together and sort a pond out in time). If you fancy running a non toy boat you are welcome to use the adjoining River Soar but you will need to be confident of your boat.

River Soar is deep and wide
Got me a home on the other side

etc etc.

Cheers

Fred

steamyjim · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

I dont no what you class as non-toy. It could be considered a bit like Mooses Fantail. Its got full boiler and gas tank certificates

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steamyjim · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject:

It was commercialy made by the way... well the engine was

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fcrammond · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

Perhaps if you pm'd me some details?
Or included a full spec on your application form?
Fred

steamyjim · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject:

Ill put it in the car. If I cant run it then oh well.

What about a Basset Lowke Streamlinier?
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Mother of the free,
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MooseMan · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

Fred, the name of my fantail is not a reference to "Poor Ellan Vannin, lost in the Irish Sea..." but rather an acknowledgement of its origin, and a thankyou for its previous owner - our very own Manxman!

Fantastic to see that there is another outboard still extant, and even better to see that it survives on the very same hull featured in Toyshop Steam...thanks for those gorgeous pictures.
_________________
Stands the glass half empty,
Or stands the glass half full?
Blast your Buddhist mantra, man,
I'll take another pull.

Manxman · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject:

[quote="fcrammond"]Hi Moose,
I'm a little surprised that you named your fantail Ellan Vannin. The original Isle of Man Steam Packet Company PS Ellan Vannin went down with all hands and passengers on a stormy night in the Irish Sea.

I'm partly to blame for the name. The Isle of Man has had a few ship named Ellan Vannin. Here's a song about the original ship and how it came to an end.

ELLEN VANIN

Snaefell, Tynwald, Ben Machree,
14 ships all on the sea,
Each one bearing a Manx name
But there is one, will never sail again

CH
Oh Ellen Vanin, of the Isle of Man Company
Oh Ellen Vanin, Lost in the Irish sea

CH
At 1.00 am at Ramsey Bay,
Captain Tier was heard to say,
"Our contract says deliver the mail,
In this rough weather we must not fail."

CH
Two liners sheltered from the storm,
Ellen Vanin on the waves was borne.
Her hold was full and battened down,
As she set sail from Liverpool town.

CH
With a crew of 21 proud Manx men,
Her passengers, Liverpool business men.
Farewell ye mourners, aye farewell
This little ship was doomed for hell.

CH
It was less than a mile from the Balroy’s ship,
By a mighty wave Ellen Vanin was hit.
She sank in the waters of Liverpool bay,
And there she lies until this day.

CH
Few Manx men now remember
The third day of the month December,
A terrible storm in ‘99,
When Ellen Vanin sailed the very last time.
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