A DAY IN THE LIFE
20:00 We take the ship back to her moorings, with a few tasks still to complete. The ashes and clinker are raked into a pile so the fire goes out gradually, the valves are closed and I complete the shutdown. We leave the vessel at 20:45 – not all days are this long.
Q: You probably don’t get the chance to speak with passengers very often but what would you say they particularly love about the ship? A: Well, judging by the guest book aboard it has to be the commentary and the toilets! We also get a lot of compliments regarding the condition of the vessel. After all our hard work, this is always heartening to hear.
Q: What has been the funniest comment you’ve ever heard? A: I always find it amusing when people ask me if the ship is really a coal fired paddle steamer, despite heaps of coal to be seen (and smelled) and lots of steam on show! They also ask if it really is the last ship of her type in the UK. I always reply with a smile and offer a brochure to read. They nearly always say they’ve already got one – but they don’t believe it’s possible so they ask anyway!
Q: How does working in a team fit with such an individual, even lonely, role in the engine room? A: The whole crew play their role in the smooth operation of the ship. The skipper makes decisions re direction and speed. I’m responsible for the running of the engine room and the crew help with the com- mentary, maintain the interior and exterior and tie the ropes. When you work with people all day in a role like this you do acquire a good sense of camaraderie.
Q: Motivation must play a major part in the role with long days down in the engine room. A: You really have to love this job to do it and it is wonderful to work on such an historic ship. I still love it af-
97
ter seven years. The only upgrade to the vessel has been a bow thruster which helps with manoeuvrability. I have my own ways of doing things and could probably do the job with my eyes shut (although not recom- mended)! If anything goes wrong it is immediately apparent to me. Other engineers are not so familiar with all her noises, so when they say “what is that noise?” I can reassure them that all is well. The ship had an engine overhaul in the winter of 2013/2014 and really does look great for her age!
Q: Have you had any help with the maintenance of the vessel? A: Oh yes, the whole crew work on her regularly. We’ve also had a great deal of help with the engine overhaul from some of our railway personnel. The moving parts of the engine really are well maintained – the killer will be when the cast iron parts of the engine deteriorate.
Q: How long have you been working around engines? A: I started when I was 13 working on a steam railway and on engines. When I worked full time for BT I did shifts so still had plenty of time to indulge my passion of steam engines. When I joined the ship I had a huge learning curve for the first 12 months. I had a lot of help from various steam railway enthusiasts, and I found their knowledge a great source of wisdom to draw upon.
Q: What qualities would an engineer of the ‘KC’ need?
A: There are a few, although I don’t pretend to have them all! • Able to prioritise - a number of things can happen simultaneously • Ordered way of working • Enthusiasm for the job! • Able to hold your own in technical conversations with expert passengers!
• Experience with old machinery • Ability to withstand heat - up to 14 hours in 100 deg F+! • Work as part of a team • Ability to keep calm during a breakdown when everyone else is offering ‘advice’ Q: Any injuries during your time aboard? A: No major ones – just a few minor burns. You just need to be alert all the time - especially when oiling the pumps so you don’t get your arm caught in them! I do have to concentrate when customers are keen to chat.
Q: Proudest achievement? A: Returning the vessel to Dartmouth and working through an amazingly successful 2013 season on her. Keeping her in tip top condition was a challenge but a fantastic achievement. Training others to work on the vessel was very rewarding – she now has another (young) crew to keep her going for the future.
Q: Lastly, any time for any hobbies?! A: More of the same really – steam ships and steam engines!•
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164