PADDLE STEAMER OSCAR ‘W’ RESTORATION PROJECT

In 2001 a grant of $50,000 from Tourism S.A. was augmented by funds from The Friends of the PS OSCAR ‘W’, so that phase 1 of the restoration could begin.

During phase 1, the aft deck was replaced and reshaped back to the original camber. Adam Auditori (shipwright from Echuca) began his involvement with the PS OSCAR ‘W’ by coming down to Goolwa and bending the 68 part frames from 65 x 65 x 10mm steel angle, these were subsequently galvanized, this was accomplished slightly under budget with much help from many volunteers.

Tallow wood was purchased from Queensland for phase 2 planking, 150mm x 100mm jarrah wood was also purchased together with thousands of bolts.

Ralph Hodges, assisted by volunteers from Armfield Slip, created a magnificent new rudder for the OSCAR ‘W’, to which we had to fit new pintles.

In 2003, with grant money and Alexandrina Council funding, we were able to under take phase 2. Adam Auditori was again in charge of the work ably assisted by four paid staff and 3,000 hours of volunteers time over the 12 week period on the slip at Mannum. This phase resulted in two thirds of the bottom planking, frames and floors replaced along with a new stem post and all work recaulked.

In 2004, further grant money, Alexandrina Council money and money from The Friends of the PS OSCAR ‘W’ enabled us to proceed with phase 3 and finish the whole bottom and replace the stern post. Caulking was completed so that now OSCAR ‘W’ does not leak !

So far, each phase has come out below budget, with a total of 4,500 hours of volunteer time donated together with some 30,000 km of voluntary travel.

e are now preparing for the final stages, hoping to obtain Survey status as soon as possible after completion of the work on the rusted sections of the steel topsides.
PHASE 3

So – you think you have taken on a huge wooden boat restoration project in your time !!

How about this for a bit of news:-

On the 26 th July 2004, the 1908 wood fired Paddle Steamer OSCAR ‘W’ was hauled onto the slip at Mannum to commence phase 3 of the hull restoration project.

For the next 6 – 9 weeks skilled craftsmen and volunteers will be working together replacing the wooden planking under the boiler and some planks in the aft peak. The stern post will be removed and replaced with new redgum and tallow wood timber. De-graded internal steel frames will be removed and replaced along with RSJ keelsons in the aft peak.

At present 5 tons of redgum planking has been delivered with more to come, 6 bales of oakum are waiting to be rolled to caulk the seams when planking is complete.

The planking at the rear of the vessel requires steaming planks to achieve the shape to fit. The stern post renewal, using a very large piece of redgum, will take many hours of careful shaping.

On completion, most of the wooden hull below the water line will have been replaced, as phase 2 of the hull restoration project was carried out in 2003.

On going work will enable the vessel to reach Heritage Survey Standard in the near future.

Come along and view our “new bottom” and the work involved at the next South Australian Wooden Boat Festival.