Paddlewheel narrowboat - Unusual, but not unique

[Cleyley Bob]

Interested to read DaveC's comments.

I was a School in Bradford-on-Avon and as a project in about 1965/6 we built a couple of pontoons in the School's woodwork shop.

4 heafty side timbers were obtained and delivered and a team of us set to work to create the 2 pontoons, using stout timber brace pieces and probably marine ply boards.

These were eventually transported down to the Canal - probably at the wharf above Bradford Lock.

A tipping, long toothed rake was mounded between the 2 pontoons, but can't remember if a motor was ever fitted. An outboard might have been used.

I spent a couple of summer holidays assisting members of the K&A Trust attempting to clear weed-growth along the section of the canal towards Widbrook.

A 'flat' boat was hauled up between the pontoons and the rake dug into the weed and then tipped backwards into the 'flat' which took it away.

Be very interested to hear if anyone else has any memories of this work along with the rake - which was generally known as the Moon-Raker.

Rob

[WotEver]

When I were a lad I used to cycle to Teddington Locks and the lock keeper would let me wheel to 'help him'. The oddest 'boat' I saw going through was a raft with an old Commer van sitting on it with the back axle on chocks. A wide belt from the nearside rear wheel drove a paddle on the back. To set off the owner jumped into the van, put it in 2nd and let the clutch out.

 

I assume he must have locked the offside rear wheel somehow.

 

Tony

 

I also assume he had a rudder somewhere but I don't remember that bit.

[blackrose]

Hi Folks,

 

Thought some might be interested in this old video I recently put up on youtube of a Paddlewheel narrowboat leaving Denham Deep Lock. It's normally moored just above Uxbridge Lock - first time I've seen this one moving, but of course seen Jethro Tull many a time splashing along.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrJtp0WzLo

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

It's a sternwheeler rather than a paddlewheeler.

 

Paddlesteamers have two paddles, one on each side of the boat, while sternwheelers have a single paddle at the stern.

[DaveC]

In reply to Cleyley Bob (can't get Quote to work) I have recollections of "Moonraker" the weed clearing boat. I think it was an electric boat - with a gert big generator on board. Although I don't remember seeing it in the flesh so to speak it was certainly mentioned more than once in the Butty magazine (K & A Trust mag).

 

Should be some photos in the K & A Trust archives.

 

Dave

​

[Athy]

This topic is bringing up some unusual and interesting stories and reminiscences. Thanks to those who have contributed, it's an enjoyable read.

 

Someone, somewhere has photos of these extraordinary craft!

[Tiggs]

 

I imagine you would change the size of the paddles on the wheel

 

Richard

 

Just change the gear wheels on the chain drive - no problem, any gear you like.

[FadeToScarlet]

 

Just change the gear wheels on the chain drive - no problem, any gear you like.

I'm imagining different gear wheels, and a giant derailleur like on a bike.

[Starcoaster]

 

Which are very elegant

 

 

Richard

 

 

This would make for an interesting tattoo.

[MtB]

 

 

This would make for an interesting tattoo.

 

 

If you buy the ink, I'll do one for you!

[Starcoaster]

Ok, but have to practice on you first...

[Dalesman]

[X Alan W]

Hi Folks,

 

Thought some might be interested in this old video I recently put up on youtube of a Paddlewheel narrowboat leaving Denham Deep Lock. It's normally moored just above Uxbridge Lock - first time I've seen this one moving, but of course seen Jethro Tull many a time splashing along.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

I once got a right "Rollacking for describing a boat similar as a paddle wheeler "That sir is a stern wheeler If it was a paddle wheeler the wheels would be on the sides as they are on the "Waverley"

[cuthound]

Given the name of my boat, I often get asked where the paddle wheels are.

 

I tell 'em they got knocked off on the first narrow lock...

[RLWP]

I once got a right "Rollacking for describing a boat similar as a paddle wheeler "That sir is a stern wheeler If it was a paddle wheeler the wheels would be on the sides as they are on the "Waverley"

 

That's rather pedantic. Both are paddle wheelers, that one is a stern wheel paddle boat and Waverley is a side wheel paddle boat

 

Richard

[Athy]

It was a stern reproach, wasn't it?

[Bee]

Have a google at Hotchkiss cones, not quite the same thing but interesting.

[Pluto]

This is a proper stern wheeler, as built in Germany for the River Oder, and seen here in the 1950s after the navigation had become part of Poland.

[Athy]

This is a proper stern wheeler, as built in Germany for the River Oder, and seen here in the 1950s after the navigation had become part of Poland.

Hallelujah! Has it survived?

[Mac of Cygnet]

And then of course there is Orbis which has a single large paddle at the back which flaps from side to side like the tail fin of a fish. It was built last year to go from Dewsbury to Calais, but only got as far as Sowerby Bridge, where it still sits. Fish swim quite well that way don't they?

 

 

[X Alan W]

 

That's rather pedantic. Both are paddle wheelers, that one is a stern wheel paddle boat and Waverley is a side wheel paddle boat

 

Richard

I realized that but as the "gentleman" concerned was both bigger than me & VERY Irate I didn' t argue

[wipeoutqueen2205]

It is only powered by the paddle. It's my Dad's- we've had it 35 years!

[Stroudwater1]

Interesting read, there used to be a steam powered stern wheeler called Phoenix moored for years at Alvechurch in the 1980s . Can’t find any images so I fear it’s gone from the canals . Perhaps it’s in storage somewhere. 

I do have a picture in the steam boat book I have but that’s somewhere too 

[max's son]

The boat belonged to Dr Burman from Alvechurch, pictures below are when she went to the Droitwich Canals back in the 70's

[john.k]

Looks more like a paddle wheel with a boat  attached........or one of the water cleaning devices that sieves the flotsam and deposits it in the barge.............although the builder has had the good sense to incorporate a built in lifting ring...........which all small boats should have.

[Scholar Gypsy]

And I can't resist a few photos of PS Waverley, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.  A number of us took a trip from Harwich to Tower Pier last week. Here we are moored at Gravesend.

https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2022/10/08/waverley-paddle-steamer-harwich-to-tower-pier/