Elvas Tower: SS Minerva Steam Launch 1900 - Elvas Tower

SS Minerva

Steam Launch

1900

Typical of the era of steam powered ships were the lovely small steam launches, used world wide for transport and recreation. Many were used by glamorous resorts to ferry passengers from arriving steamships to the hotels and establishments that were located lake side or on the sea shore. Many were also the prized property of wealthy aristocrats and boating enthusiasts and a number have survived to this day. Most were powered by a small steam engine and boiler set amidships and steered from either astern or foreword control positions. They were seaworthy due to a wide beam and careful construction and most carried an all weather canopy, the hull and fittings were usually of mahogany and most carried brass fittings and a searchlight mounted on the fore deck.

this model was created for the Tri state route from the 1930s and depicts the typical steam launches used on the New Jersey lakes where the resorts of the Belle Epoch lured many thousands of holiday visitors from the city to enjoy lakeside sports and boating.

Suitable for any route from either Europe or the United States, this model is well adapted for use on routes of any era.

Credits: For learning the craft of modelling for TSM i owe much to the masters of the craft: Tim Muir, Capt Bazza, Jeff Farquar, Larry Mullett, Refman, and many more.

Restrictions: you may mod or repaint as you wish. I only request that no commercial use be made other than inclusion in low priced library releases such as the UK Train Sim routes which are splendid means of sharing excellent routes and stock and activities for them. They always have permission for use of my models.

Chris Gerlach
CrisGer-Elvas Tower and UK Train Sim Forums

chrisgerlach9@yahoo.com

June 2014

Specifications of a typical Steam Launch:

1. Hull, 27' 6" X 6' 4"
2. Seats 7-30 comfortably.
3. Interior is Mahogany and VG Fir. Canopy is Mahogany and VG Fir.
4. Boiler, Roberts style, 60 square feet heating surface:
a. has two water gauges, front and back,
b. working pressure 150 psi, safety set for 180 psi,
c. boiler lagged with mahogany staves.
5. Fuel, wood, coal or kerosene were used.
6. Engine, Davis and Sons compound,
3-1/8" X 5-1/2" X 5",
cylinder head lagged with mahogany staves.
7. typically had two steering stations, one at side and one in the front.
8. Custom 1880 cast bronze deck hardware.
9. Teak veneer deck. VG fir floor boards with inset mahogany strips.
10. Bronze 3 blade propeller, 28・X 32・with 1-1/4 steel shaft.
11. Keel condenser with inboard hotwell, 4 gallon capacity