Discover the secrets of pottery


Steam - Brass & Hardwood

For centuries man employed the power ofthose wonderful old master tradesman who
steam to propel mighty steamboats alongknew the intimate shipwright secrets,
the big rivers of the world in an effortand how best to use these valuable old
to transport & deliver goods & materialsskills.
to the early Pioneer settlers spreadSo what now for the present day steam
along the great river valleys.boat restorer? I guess in all fairness
Steamboat travel was once as common asthere are still people around who have
is boarding a high-speed train today.been lucky enough to learn the trade
But the aura and romanticism ofsecrets from the old masters and that is
steamboat travel still captures thea real bonus, otherwise can you imagine
hearts of people as much today as it didthe research and relearning that would
back in the mid 1800s - & early 1900s.need to take place if that wasn't the
Take a look around any river port todaycase. Where would you find the skilled
where these might steamers once pliedpeople to build the timber boat hulls -
their trade and you will now see athe intricate steel fabrication - the
flourishing collection of paddlerebuilding of steam engines and boilers
steamboat operators ferrying the many- the recasting of name plates - special
tourists who flock to the historic steambronze and aluminium boat parts...so
ports to soak up the atmosphere of thesemuch to do...so much to learn... But,
majestic old steamboats.did you ever stop to think that the keen
Have you ever stopped to think why thererestorer and steamboat rebuilder can in
are now so many of these beautiful oldfact learn many of the trades of
vessels plying the major inland riversyesteryear.
and ports where these old boats wereFor the steam enthusiast to remake
piloted daily along the rivers? The oldreplica cast metal parts, all they need
derelict steam boats, have now beento do is master the foundry skills used
lovingly totally rebuilt & restored fromback in the late 1800s & early 1900s to
the ground up by a band of totallyreproduce obsolete parts, the skills are
dedicated steamboat enthusiasts.not that difficult to learn, the tools &
Even as you read this, there are hugeequipment can be easily built if you
restoration projects underway to bringknow how to use a welder, and you enjoy
more of these old boats back to theirworking with metal.
former glory; such is the demand andPerhaps you are one of the many
interest in steam. But what about thethousands of baby boomers looking for
old skills that are required topractical hobbies & interests to help
construct these old vessels, where areprovide new challenges, and an outlet
all of the skilled shipwrights?where you can interact & socialise with
You would have little luck finding themother like-minded people, the retirement
simply by placing an advert in the paperyears can be one of the most frustrating
to find the Shipwrights, blacksmiths,times for people in their late fifties
old time ship chandlery makers, expertsand early sixties, but if you make the
on building & restoring steam engines,effort to immerse yourself in rewarding
or people who know how to use old timepractical hobbies, you just won't
foundry skills to remake all kinds ofbelieve the huge amount of enjoyment &
brass & bronze items to refurbish therewards that are awaiting you. To learn
parts used for the restoration.more about how to get involved in
Many of the skills of yesteryear have,practical metal craft hobbies visit our
unfortunately, gone to the grave withweb site soon.



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