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