The Steamtug Blog

The latest news with the majestic Steam Yacht Ena is that circumstances have changed for the owner over in Melbourne and she is up for auction on the 19th May next month. It will be a very sad day, but I am extremely grateful and feel lucky to have been her chief engineer while she was based over this end of the country. I was also fortunate to have been part of her delivery voyage from Sydney to Melbourne in May last year. See the post “Sail of the century” if you have not seen it.I spent the day yesterday pulling her boiler apart so the boiler inspector can get inside her and tick off one of the major items and questions possible bidders will be asking… The main steam drum is access from inside the gallery cupboards. Where else can you find a kitchen that has a steam boiler in with the crockery? How is her boiler? Well from initial looks, she is in great shape. There was a little oil sludge, possibly from the lubrication system on the main engine which injects steam oil into the steam. Although only a tiny amount, its a problem that has plagued steam ships for years. How to provide a tiny bit of cylinder lubrication without having the oil carry into the boiler. On the journey from Sydney, we wound the mechanical lubricator right back, and supplemented lubrication with graphite. There is a filter system, but obviously doesn’t do too much to prevent this oil carrying through.

Its fortunate that I have Edelweiss here now to keep my steam disease medicated. She is currently at the local shipwright, having rear windows fitted to her cabin. She has needed this for over 100 years, and since I eventually want to do the length of the Murray River in steam, she will need these to provide better creature comforts.

You can see the you tube video the auction house has produced for the sale below….