Schön für dich!
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Schön für dich!
As a tramway enthusiast, German was essential learning for me at school ...... and it certainly comes in handy when it comes to paddle steamers too !
If the BBC are saying the Scottish Government is nice it'll be through gritted teeth I assure you!Originally Posted by tramscape
Excellent example and we can go one further and also give the talk in German if Tramscape will oblige!
Of course not everybody is happy standing up in front of large groups and talking, much is dependent on the attitude of the individuals involved.
I suspect that UK charity status and HLF funding does not stretch to the requirement to educate Germans !
Last edited by tramscape; 12-08-2018 at 13:23.
Schade!
Interesting that there is no mention of actually buying a proper boiler at the moment
From what we were told it is actually relatively inexpensive and after all the crowdfunder, which raised a fair chunk of the money needed recruited money on the basis that it was to fund the new boiler
I can see the logic of not doing so, if the rented shore-side unit is not too expensive
Maid of the Loch' to be hauled out of Loch Lomond next week
THE historic Maid of the Loch paddle steamer will be hauled out of the waters of Loch Lomond next week for the first full survey of the ship's hull in almost 40 years. https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co...9l17Wt6tTiZ6iM
Whilst we gear up for reports from Balloch (and anywhere else), I thought I would take a look at how the SG's Regeneration Capital Fund, which allocated £ 950 k to the Maid, described the project. It makes interesting reading. Note - the grant was from an existing fund and gained in a competetitive process resembling that of the HLF
The project, led by the local charity (Loch Lomond Steamship Company) will restore the
“Maid of the Loch”, the historic and last UK-built paddle steamer. It will become a fully
operational steamship and community asset, providing a range of cruising and events
experiences all year round, what will have a positive impact on the local economy. The aim is
for the project to be used as a catalyst for economic regeneration and community
development in West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) area. A key outcome will be the
creation of a dedicated learning space on board to provide the on-going unique learning and
educational programmes for schools and visitors of all ages. Works will also include the
provision of a new lift to provide access for those with mobility issues and additional support
needs. A range of skills and training opportunities will be offered for crew and shore staff.
Community facilities will be available for events on board the vessel and within passenger
facilities on the pier. The project will, with advice/support from WDC target the disadvantaged
communities for the new jobs, training opportunities and learning experiences. This will
benefit not only the immediately surrounding areas of Balloch, Haldane and the Vale of
Leven, but also the other adjacent SIMD areas in the five remaining WDC wards. In addition,
connectivity will be a key part of the Maid’s offer as, for the first time in over 30 years, she will
connect six small loch-side rural communities. The project has the ability to deliver
sustainable regeneration outcomes in an area badly affected by socio-economic issues, to
create a positive change to learning and work, provide a mechanism to address inequality
and create an asset that can sustain itself financially.
Balloch, Balmaha, Luss, Rowardennan, Tarbert and Ardlui, presumably: which of these piers could MotL call at without work being done to them - and what investigations do we know about into the cost of restoring the rest? And do we know for certain that the Business Plan envisages reintroduction of this sort of ‘up and down the Loch service’?
I think Luss is OK and Inversnaid probably, without too much investment ..... but as for the rest ????
I really don't see that this linking of all six is realistic even if minimal investment had been needed
As we discussed a year or two back ... that had there been thriving resorts, resort hotels, loads of activities etc at these places then there might have been an opportunity
Connecting these "communities" as they are doesn't make much sense to me !
I don't see how that will contribute to reducing social "inequality" .... which seems to be the main reason for supporting the project
She's on the move now. Pictures appearing on facebook .... and live video
Quite interesting eavesdropping on the conversations going on!!!
Last edited by tramscape; 01-10-2019 at 12:50.
Maid now going up the slip. Click pic for video
Facebook Post
Unfortunately an incident has happened with what we believe to be the carriage and the ship is now back in the water. We will now secure her back to the pier to assess the situation. Thanks for your support today, updates will be provided once we know more.
Thanks for the video - hopefully nothing serious as regards the "incident".
Today’s events were very hard to watch given the huge amount of anticipation and preparation that went into the slipping. Thankfully no one was hurt and the ship appears to be fine, but the incident looked potentially dangerous and there was genuine concern for safety when she flew back into the Loch. The carriage of the slipway seems to be what caused the issue and presumably some sort of investigation will need to be carried out to establish what happened, what got damaged and the cost of repair.
Maid of the Loch has been through many setbacks in her life, but I know the determination of the volunteers to continue with the restoration will remain strong.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
It's now on the front page of the BBC News (UK wide) website : "Workers Flee as ship slips back into water"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-sco...ack-into-water
I hope that this does not cause the paddle steamer cause with the general public to receive a setback. It does not look very professional using what seems to be a flimsy carriage to hold all that tension on the rope
Last edited by tramscape; 01-10-2019 at 17:38.
Ah .....yes
It made it on to Reporting Scotland tonight ... and John Beveridge had to face the cameras
You could see the sadness in Sally Magnusson's eyes as she had to introduce the story .....
Seemingly it wasn't the carriage that caused the problem, it was the wire pulling the carriage that snapped at the point at which it was connected to the carriage. The carriage is now lying somewhere on the bed of the loch.
Looked as though a significant portion of the carriage disintegrated on its way down the slip. Pieces of it could be seen floating to the surface soon after the steamer made her unplanned return to the Loch. Hopefully they can recover the remainder of the carriage and have it repaired as soon as possible.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
Thank goodness it survived long enough to keep the Maid upright until she regained buoyancy, looks like a lucky escape to me, for ship and personnel.
Time for a re-design of a much more robust cradle and winching apparatus?
Last edited by kylemore; 01-11-2019 at 15:40.
There's a very clear picture on the Sunday Post website article showing broken wood at the end of the carriage.
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/operat...fter-incident/
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
The response after the initial shock seems to be proportionate and calm.
No doubt there will be a (hopefully) small delay while this is investigated and appropriate changes made to the apparatus and or operational procedure.
It's not unusual for dunnage to come loose when a vessel rises off a carriage even in controlled launches, things move around and clamps loosen, especially wedges etc. Having said that, it's clear from the Press Association picture that the carriage has suffered failure of several of the wooden beams; while making the new carriage of wood was faithful to the rotting original that was disposed of along with the Countess Fiona, perhaps a move to steel construction is in order.
[QUOTE=somewhatfoolish;16482]It's not unusual for dunnage to come loose when a vessel rises off a carriage even in controlled launches
Can you please explain the meaning of "dunnage"?
The wedges and packing pieces that fit between the hull and the carriage, traditionally always made of wood; there would be a slipping book kept by the foreman of the yard with detailed measurements, sketches etc for how the carriage was to be set up for each different vessel, although if it was a new vessel to the yard or no hull outline drawing was available educated guessing was involved.
This video shows that the cradle has been recovered and though damaged it is mostly intact.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
The charity has been frequently updating its social media feeds with plenty of photos of the restoration of rooms onboard the Maid appearing on Facebook, Twitter etc.
This is social media done correctly. I hope the operators of a certain sea going paddler on the Clyde notice this.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
In the past, the WEL page has really not been one for the "nutter" with regards to the ship itself - this has been left to the PSPS page plus various enthusiast groups on Facebook to do the job
Maybe there will be more integration between the WEL page and the (excellent) PSPS page in future
There is a fine balance on a "commercial" page between marketing the service which is of importance to generating custom and clogging it up with things specifically for enthusiasts
I'm not sure there is much of a story to tell about Waverley. The annual renovations etc are not as exciting as the restorations of such as Queen Mary and the Maid
It’s sad to think that had the slipping operation not went wrong, Maid of the Loch would probably have just returned to the Loch as planned but with her hulk repaired and possibly resplendent in a new coat of paint.
Does anyone know if another attempt at slipping will be attempted in the near distant future? Would hate to think that the entire operation will be abandoned.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
I would expect it to be much later in the year as an investigation is under way and that needs to be completed before they can think about another go
They have just now placed the orders for pipework for the boiler/engine to be manufactured, so they are pressing ahead with other tasks
According to information received at the recent PSPS meeting in Glasgow, there will be another attempt to slip the vessel in the autumn.
In the meantime she is closed down for the winter.
The Maid's facebook page has been keeping the public well informed of the restoration efforts currently going on. I can't wait to see what the end product will be when she reopens. Seeing the engine in working order will be a magnificent sight to see even if she isn't sailing yet.
youngac, proud to be a member of National Steam Ship Preservation since Jun 2011.
Yes, they are pretty good
The website is neglected though despite going through re-vamps every couple of years
I just wish the website gave more of an impression of the Maid being a commercial proposition than being an enthusiasts' dream
The local press seems informative and supportive
Bet there would be good positive coverage if Waverley was to base herself at Dumbarton (at Denny's, what with QM now being near Inglis' !)
https://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/...plEyM1R3ktDPoQ
Last edited by tramscape; 03-08-2019 at 14:42.
This seems like the sort of thing which is needed .... and Sweeney's seem to think so
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...LEzEvDuM1LGE2c
Lose a bit of tranquility - but maybe keep a paddle steamer in operation !
Not my call of course, but the option to go on a thriving Maid would suit
As long as the access concerns can be addressed I think a wee bit of development is good particularly if more people are attracted to the Maid's' shopfront.
Loch Lomond has never been a "wilderness" particularly around Balloch and it's southern end.
A little bit of Swiss style common sense would be helpful though I doubt we have the intelligence in our public bodies they apparently do.
Of course I, and I suspect you too tramscape, would go further and have an electrified rack railway from Rowardennan to a Hotel and Restaurant at the top of Ben Lomond - imagine the apoplexythat would cause!
Apoplexy is putting it mildly; the bobblehats would be incandescent.Of course I, and I suspect you too tramscape, would go further and have an electrified rack railway from Rowardennan to a Hotel and Restaurant at the top of Ben Lomond - imagine the apoplexy
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