THE FRIENDS OF THE
P.S. OSCAR 'W'
|
P.O. BOX 527 GOOLWA S.A. 5214
|
July 2010
Volume 22 Number 1
|
|
|
|
|
(Please click a heading below) |
|
|
(Including Engineering & Promotions Reports.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome once again to all the Friends and I hope that you find this newsletter interesting and informative. As I have been writing the Engineers and Promotion and Marketing reports separately, I have now decided to put it all together into the one report.
It has been a very busy period since the last newsletter once again, but I think all those who have been active volunteers should be proud of what has been achieved. The Oscar is fast becoming a very popular vessel with the public and with the new facts and figures that we
are putting together, it is certainly showing us people are coming from far and wide to enjoy the steam experience.
Because of the demand in cruising and charters, wood is an ongoing concern and I must say that without the dedication of about six volunteers every Wednesday who tirelessly go out to the council depot and cut and split wood ready for our use, the Oscar would not be a very
efficient operation. They have got to the point of stacking it neatly at the depot and making sure that every piece will fit into the fire box and then when required the truck is loaded and it turns up at the wharf ready for loading. This exercise - and please be assured that
it is very important - takes a lot of pressure off me in the operation of the Oscar. Because of what they have achieved to date, the council is now working with us more freely to make sure that we have the wood we need in the future.
|
|
|
 |
Some of the wood cut, split and stacked for the Oscar’s fire box.
|
|
|
I must say that the Wednesday working group is continually getting new volunteers turning up to help, and it is encouraging to have the people willing to do whatever is necessary. Unfortunately because of the Wednesday work group popularity, we have
decided to cancel the Saturday working bees due to the lack of participation. If anyone still would like to help on a Saturday, I urge you to contact Roly and he will be more than happy to give you work assignments for the day.
We now have two regular Wednesday participants that paint every week. Both are very good at what they do, and the appearance of the vessel is improving as the weeks go by. Unfortunately it is one of those jobs that when finished, it will need to be started again. The
steel hull above the water line is getting to the point where it will need a bit of TLC to cover the rust in the very near future.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
This was going to be done in June when the Oscar was going to be slipped, but unfortunately due to the lack of water, the Marina has told us that it won’t happen. This has created a few problems, but we will overcome them, and we have tentatively booked
it again for the middle of August. To keep the Oscar going we have spent time cleaning the bristle worm from the hull as best we can, and if necessary we will get a diver in to scrape the bottom by hand.
The first week in May the boiler had the new tubes fitted. We have replaced 45 tubes, and I am pleased to report that the outcome of the work was very successful. We did not replace the stay tubes, and we left three of the four tubes that I replaced in March, but had them
beaded back to the plate. The work was carried out by Forbes Engineering ( this firm built the boiler) and it came in at the quoted price. I would like to thank Mr. James Forbes for his support during this exercise, as he attended non- stop for three of the five days at no
cost to us, to help us get the required result. Also I would like to thank Frank and Lindsay who worked for the five days with me to help prepare the tubes and assist Forbes to get the job finished within budget. This boiler has been a real worry to me since October 2000
but now it is perfect and it is completely different, and dare I say a pleasure to fire. Hopefully if the TLC is put into the boiler in the future, it will serve us for the 15 or so years that it should before it needs re-tubing again.
As the current financial year is coming to an end, or by the time you read this it will have, I would like to congratulate all those volunteers who helped us achieve a better result than expected. The charters in particular increased by a whopping 300%, and the general
cruising days returned good money for the coffers. I think when we take in the raffle, the souvenirs, the BBQ and of course the cruising schedule, we should all be very proud of what has been achieved in the short time since being surveyed. The committee is currently looking
at other ways to make the wharf area more Oscar "W" friendly, to encourage more people to come and visit Goolwa, and see its icon at the wharf.
Over the last month or so I have been putting together a submission to put into Fleurieu Peninsula tourism, through SA Tourism, to hopefully get an award and get the tourism tick of approval, which I firmly believe would be another feather in our cap, and very important
as we go forward. This of course may not happen, but I must say it has opened my eyes as to how involved it is to have the PS Oscar "W" recognized for what we do. It has also shown me how important it is to keep statistics and records of what we do, and to be seen to be
professional at everything we do. The submission was placed on Friday the 29th of May and I must say it would not have happened without the help of Tanya Mitchell from the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre, and the co-operation of the Alexandrina council. The
awards night is the 25th June at the Currency Creek winery. Fingers crossed!
As of 1/07/2010 our fare structure will be changing across general cruising and charters, and we on the P & M Committee believe that it is necessary for us to keep up with the times. We believe that what we offer to the passengers overall is certainly value for money, and
the new structure is designed to keep this image going. To get an update on all that is happening within the Friends,- if you have a computer- please log onto www.oscar-w.info, which we try and keep up to date with current information.
I must apologies to the Friends who look forward to Our Friends Day out, as there have been problems and bookings that have interfered with the dates set down. I have just finished the next financial year dates for cruising etc and the next date for the FDO will be Sunday
August 15th. Thereafter the FDO will be held every second month. Christina will inform you all as to the dates.
The last weekend in May we participated in the Rail fest being held at Goolwa and Victor, but because of the terrible weather conditions we were forced to cancel the Sunday cruising. This has shown that we really cannot operate in wintery conditions, and still keep the
passengers comfortable while cruising. This in itself is fine because we are operating an industrial vessel, and not a leisure cruising vessel, but looking toward the future I believe we have to see if we can improve on the basic comfort level. The committee agreed to
lifting the jib of the crane and to fit a proper weather proof cover over the area, and I think all will approve and agree that it does not detract from the Oscar’s heritage. This work was performed late in June.
On Tuesday the 8th June I was contacted by the council to say that the proposal that we put in regarding the wharf shed has been accepted. This means that we will become more professional in our appearance and have an area in which we can promote the river history.
When this area is completed we will be asking for any volunteers who may want to help with this side of our operation, ( which of course will be completely different from working on the Oscar), to please put their name forward. It is in my opinion, a very exciting time, and
it is something that we need to keep the Oscar alive and vibrant, and hopefully this will go a long way to help to bring the wharf area alive as well.
In closing can I inform you all that Peter Morgan lost his fight with cancer and passed away in April this year. A friend sadly missed. RIP.
|
|
|
Thank you. Dave Finnie. President.
|
P.S. Late news.
Our submission to Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism was not successful. However the experience will help us in future submissions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is hard to believe that another 3 months have passed and the next newsletter deadline is upon us.
Our regular cruises continue to attract good numbers of passengers, which is most pleasing. A recent count has revealed that we are averaging well over 30 passengers per cruise. This is a great result and reflects very well on the professionalism of our volunteers. To enhance
our passengers’ experience on cruising days, we now offer complimentary tea and coffee in the Galley on a self serve basis. Our new urn, purchased with a donation from Doug Hender’s Paddle Boat Swing-time Band, has come in very handy for this. A big thank-you goes to the band
for their kind donation. We also have a guest book in the Galley and have already received some very complimentary comments.
A special treat for passengers on our Easter Saturday cruises was the “Chris Kelsey Jazz Band”. This very lively band volunteered their services free of charge and played on the front deck of the Oscar ‘W’ on every cruise that day and proved to be a real hit. Even the captain
was spied tapping his toes to the music. Needless to say, all cruises were fully booked that day. This is another example of how passengers can often expect the unexpected when cruising on the PS Oscar ‘W’.
This is the first full financial year that the Oscar ‘W’ has been operating and the results have been outstanding. Full credit must go to all of the volunteers who have helped to achieve the results – captains, crew, sausage sizzlers, the committee, the Alexandrina Council
and the staff at the Visitor Information Centre. Also to everyone who has helped with donations of wood, goods and cash - too many to name.
I would like to thank Chris Brooks, who has looked after the Secretary position for the past 5 weeks while I went on a well deserved break (at least I thought it was well deserved!) My travels during this time took in parts of outback and coastal New South Wales and
Queensland, as well as central Victoria. My experience of the attractions offered in the various places visited showed me that what is offered by the PS Oscar ‘W’ is as least as good as, if not better than, those offered interstate, and for this we should all be very proud.
On my first Wednesday back on the Oscar, I found that two of our long serving workers on the boat had to be given their marching orders due to their inability to perform. I speak of the chest freezer in the “Pressie Suite” and the fridge in the Saloon. If anyone knows of a
chest freezer and/or an older style fridge that are looking for a good home, please let me know and I will arrange for the goods to be inspected for suitability and collected. The fridge, in particular, needs to be of the older style as the more modern types are not suitable
to the conditions on the boat.
As mentioned in the President’s report, April 23rd was a very sad day as we said our final farewells to “Pirate Pete” Morgan. It was a testament to his popularity to see so many of his Oscar ‘W’ mates there to see him off. Our condolences go to Peter’s wife, Ally,
and family.
|
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sadly we had to cancel the May Friends Day Out but now look forward to our next one, which will be held on Sunday the 15th August. So please put the date in your diary and phone Lois on 8555 3324 by the 10th August to put your name
down. Please do not assume that we know you are coming!! The cost will be $10.00 per head and we ask the ladies to please bring a small salad to share, morning tea, meat, bread and sweets will be provided. Bring along any other creature comforts you may require for the day.
Future Friends Days Out are on the 17th October and the Christmas Picnic on the 5th December, further details in the next Newsletter. Many thanks to Lois for looking after this in my absence and I look forward to catching up with you on cruising days and working bees.
|
Christina
|
Social Co-ordinator
|
|
|
|
|
|
A hard one! Which 20 foot Gaff Rigged Sailing clinker Sloop was built at Atkin’s Slip Goolwa in 1937 and is part of the Armfield heritage fleet?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At the time of writing we should have Oscar W on the Hindmarsh Island Marina Slipway, but alas! there is not enough water depth to slip the vessel. This is very inconvenient as we had planned to allow this time for maintenance. We have had to postpone
the slipping until the last week in August, hoping that winter flows down the Finniss River will bring the water depth back to pool level.
The new gang plank is a very strong piece of work and well suited to wheelchair boarding but is heavier than expected. A little bit of roller and hook work by Dave and the Wednesday boys however has made it easy for the crew to handle.
|
|
|
 |
Fitting the new gang plank to OSCAR and the wharf.
|
|
|
We must also mention, whilst talking of Wednesday workers, that magnificent team who have toiled out at the council yard, creating a work of art out of an untidy heap of wood, many thanks to you chaps!
Our tender has been serviced and is sporting a new steering wheel, with refurbished cables and a reconditioned gear control mechanism, which has improved ease of handling.
It appears that week days are more popular for working bees. And attendance at our Saturday events was not good. We have thus decided to make regular working bees on Wednesday, with other days arranged to do specific jobs as required.
As many will know we submitted, to council, a proposal to use part of the wharf shed. This has been approved so we will need to set up ticket sales, souvenir sales and historical displays in our 35 feet of shed. This will become a very valuable area, not only for our
convenience, but as an historical interpretation of Goolwa’s rich history of shipping and ship building between 1852 and 1913. It was, indeed, a busy spot with some sixty one barges and steamers being built during these years, some complete with Goolwa boilers and engines.
|
Roly
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is a Dryad? Clue: We have some in our organization, but are always on the lookout for more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The “Untama” was originally named Miss Adriann when built for Goolwa fishing identity Col Smith. Reportedly Atkins built her hoping she would defeat other Goolwa built boats in the races held at the Goolwa regatta. She originally had a Lug Mainsail. Smith
sold her to the Grundy’s of Mundoo Island who used her for general transport and to tow ferry loads of cattle between Islands. In the 1970’s she was purchased by Para Hills High School where the students did the first restoration of the vessel to use as part of their Outdoor
Education program. At the time of purchase she was powered by a 6 cylinder, side valve Pontiac but the school converted her back to sail. She was named Untama in a competition. Untama is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning, “to strive for”.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently our engineers diagnosed OSCAR as having a potentially serious ”pain in the boiler’’. The symptoms were evident in the time it took to get steam up, difficulty in maintaining working pressures, excess consumption of wood, and water leakage from the
front boiler plate.
After consulting industry professionals, a complete boiler ‘’bypass’’ was the recommended treatment – 45 new tubes in all. OSCAR went in to surgery at the Goolwa Wharf on May 3rd. and was in intensive care until May 5th.
The procedure commenced under the expert guidance
of Forbes Engineering, the original builders of the boiler. James Forbes, and his team of Anthony and Greg were ably assisted by our own Dave Finnie, Frank Brighurst and Lyndsay McCrorrie. In five days of long hard work, the original 2.4 metre long tubes were cut and
removed. .
|
|
|
 |
Working in the fire box, and on the front boiler plate
|
|
|
Our volunteers cut the new tubes to the exact length required, and polished the ends to make sure they seated perfectly against the boiler plate.
|
|
|
 |
Polishing the tube ends, after cutting to length
|
|
|
 |
Installing a new tube
|
|
|
 |
Beading the ends of the tubes
|
|
|
After installation, the ends were expanded and beaded pneumatically to the same torque, to make a water tight seal, using a 300 cubic foot air compressor hired for the job.
|
|
|
 |
Expanded and beaded tube ends
|
|
|
The tubes were tested hydrostatically to 120lbs per square inch ( normal operating pressure is 100-120 lbs per square inch) and no leakage was detected.
After 5 days of surgery, the procedure was pronounced a complete success, and OSCAR has now fully recovered. On subsequent cruises OSCAR has raised steam much more quickly, maintained pressure easily and is using markedly less wood, with no sign of water leakage around
the tubes.
Well done, and thanks to all who attended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
OSCAR cruising on June 14th. showing robust boiler health.
|
|
|
 |
The steam winch on the foredeck gets a work out.
|
|
|
DRYAD—(dri’ad)-a Greek myth’
A wood nymph or tree faery
A scoop photo of these fabled creatures below...
|
 |
The Dryads at the wood stacks.
It is said that on a moonlit night, these timid creatures can be seen in their real form, dancing on the wood heaps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We strive to make our charters and cruises an enjoyable experience for all who come on board. The experience is unique, and we try to enhance that with warm, friendly and professional service.
We welcome passenger comments as a valuable indicator of how we are doing. We are delighted with this: recent example:-
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Sir Neil Cosssons enjoying a stint at the wheel of the OSCAR 'W'
|
|
|
The City of Adelaide Preservation Trust is working to have the clipper ship “City of Adelaide” brought to Adelaide, and restored. It would be the centre piece of a proposed SeaPort Museum at Port Adelaide, along with the Falie and the Nelcebee.
Sir Neil Cossons, a UK heritage expert, visited Adelaide in April and was impressed with the Trust’s plan, which he has included in a report to the Scottish Government.
He included a visit to Goolwa in his itinerary, and enjoyed a cruise on the OSCAR , including a stint at the helm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday July 18th
|
Steaming Day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday August 8th
|
Steaming Day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday August 15th
|
Friends Day Out
|
Sunday August 29th
|
Steaming Day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday September 19th
|
Steaming Day & sausage sizzle
|
Saturday October 2nd.
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
102nd.
|
Sunday October 3rd
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Birthday
|
Monday October 4th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle - Celebrations
|
Sunday October 17th
|
Friends Day Out
|
Sunday October 24th
|
Steaming Day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday November 21st
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
|
Sunday December 5th |
Friends Christmas Picnic |
Sunday December 26th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Monday December 27th.
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Tuesday December 28th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Thursday December 30th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Friday December 31st
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Saturday January 1st. 2011
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday January 2nd
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday January 16th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Wednesday January 26th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Aust. Day
|
Sunday February 13th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Saturday February 26th
|
Wooden Boat Festival - no pre-sale
of tickets
|
Sunday February 27th.
|
Wooden Boat Festival - no pre-sale
of tickets
|
Sunday 6th March
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Long weekend
|
Monday March 7th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Adel. Cup
|
Sunday March 20th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Sunday April 10th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
|
Saturday April 23rd.
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Easter
|
Sunday April 24th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Easter
|
Monday April 25th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Easter
|
Sunday May 22nd
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
History Week
|
Saturday May 28th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
History Week
|
Sunday May 29th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle
- History Week
|
Sunday June 12th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Long
Weekend
|
Monday June 13th
|
Steaming day & sausage sizzle -
Long
Weekend
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAME
|
POSITION
|
PHONE & EMAIL
|
Dave Finnie
|
President, Chair P&M, Wood
Council, Charters, Wed. Work
Co-ordinator
|
8536 8243
dlfinnie@netspace.net.au
|
Roly Bartlett
|
Vice President. Restoration,
Survey Liaison, Saturday
Work
Co-ordinator, Education Officer.
|
8555 3467
rolden@bigpond.com.au
|
Paul Hannagan
|
Secretary, P&M, Crew Rosters,
Wood.
|
8555 3324-041 001 3981
hannaganpl@internode.on.net
|
Anthony Presgrave
|
Treasurer, P&M, Archives
|
8555 3311
aydepe@bigpond.com
|
Geoff Braddock
|
Crew Training, Fire Officer,
Crew Manual
|
8537 0456
broadoak@activ8.net.au
|
Tony Brooks
|
Quartermaster, Carpentry
Sausage Sizzle Co-ord.
|
8555 2462
saxon@chariot.net.au
|
Dave Chettle
|
Souvenirs
|
8555 5386
chetglov@netspace.net.au
|
Dave Knappstein
|
Tender Boat, Web Site
|
8537 0027
knappo@activ8.net.au
|
Bruce Martin
|
Opening Roster, Engineering,
Boiler Purchasing, Safety Officer.
|
8556 5931
bruceemartin@bigpond.com
|
Graham Pratt
|
Newsletter Editor
|
8555 5098
grahampratt@westnet.com.au
|
Christine Somervaille
|
P&M Committee Minutes,
Friends Day Out & Social Co-ordinator, Oscar
Archives.
|
8555 2595
christinasomervaille@yahoo.com.au
|
Jim Davis
|
Council Representative
|
8555 0301
jim.davis@alexandrina.sa.gov.au
|
Rod Potter
|
Council Representative
|
8537 0455
rod.potter@alexandrina.sa.gov.au
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Click dates below for other newsletters...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|