Cummins-Powered Paddlewheeler Delivered By Superior Boat Works

The Henrietta II, a 85-foot by 26- foot passenger vessel built by Superior Boat Works of Greenville, Miss., is now offering sightseeing luncheon and dinner cruises on the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, N.C. The vessel is homeported in Wilmington and is owned by Cape Fear Riverboats, Inc.

While decorated inside and out to resemble a vintage paddlewheeler, the boat's propulsion system is state-of-the-art. A pair of Cummins 6BT5.9 diesels, supplied by Cummins Mid-South, Jackson, Miss., power hydraulic pumps that boost hydraulic pressure sufficiently to drive two hydraulic motors that turn a 16-foot-diameter split paddlewheel.

Each diesel develops 134 hp running at a constant 1,800 rpm.

A pair of Newage 35-kw generators are also powered by the same two Cummins engines. Both are keel cooled using Fernstrum equipment.

"The hydraulic system is simple, yet effective," explained Birney Rousselle, vice president and general manager of Skipper Hydraulic in Gretna, La., designer and installer of the system. "Each of the two levers on the Morse controller located in the pilothouse is mechanically connected to the control arm of a hydrostatic transmission pump powered by each engine. The hydraulic fluid is pressurized to 2,000- 2,500 psi and pumped to hydraulic motors that turn the split paddlewheel at 17-20 rpm." Mr. Rouselle explained that the hydraulic system is reversible, enabling the paddlewheel to turn in either direction. In addition, each main hydraulic circuit operates only one-half of the paddlewheel, enabling the operator to use it for steering by varying the speed of each half of the wheel.

Steering as well as propulsion is hydraulic. The two steering rudders are controlled via a hydraulic valve connected to the chain drive on the wheel in the pilothouse. The two flanking rudders are also hydraulically controlled. A 'jog' controller in the pilothouse sends electric signals to modulate a hydraulic valve open and closed.

The Henrietta II features an enclosed main deck cabin and a covered second deck. The pilothouse is elevated a few feet above the second deck for pilot visibility.

For further information and free literature on Cummins engines, Circle 10 on Reader Service Card For free literature on the facilities and capabilities of Superior Boat Works, Circle 11 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 76, Jun 1988

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.