"Its moving!" 12 -23 July 2010

With those words from Nick, the leadman, the paddlewheel started to rotate last week with three chain falls attached. The wheel moved very easily with little strain relieveing my concern about its first move in years. Lepi Enterprises has the contract for restoration and at this point has the lower half of the wheel wood removed. The hub and circumferential rings have been coated with one coat and a second will be applied. The difference in appearance that the one coat made is striking.

All of the hull shell plating has been hung and the finishing welding is ongoing. The overlay on the false bow is about half complete. The wood for the tow knees has been selected but work has not started on assembly. This will be a tedious job as the knees are a bolted assembly on to the fashion plates on the bow.

The hot work completion date of 9-10 August is beginning to look pretty realistic. There is a lot of clean-up to accomplish  as well as small items on the punch list. The biggest clean up is the grinding flush of the weld scabs on the outer hull shell so as to not present a site for coating failure at a later date.

It is with a very sad heart that we note the passing of one of the very good benefactors of the SNYDER and the Museum in general, Nelson Jones. Nelson made many contributions to the SNYDER in the way of cash donations but in other ways as well. When I was doing the Condition Assessment for the SNYDER, Nelson had moored a barge between the bank and the SNYDER which was a God Send with the high water, we experienced during that period. Nelson was also a mentor to me in a number of instances through the years. To say, he will be missed, is a vast understatement. Rest in Peace, Nelson.

28 June- 9 July Light at the End of the Tunnel

Starting forward, the odd shape angles in compartment 1 have been installed. Work is finished there except for final inspection. On deck, the hatch coaming have not yet been started nor the rubber seals in the hatch covers. Pieces and parts for the tow knees are starting to drift back into the yard. The overlay of the false bow has yet to begin.

All of the internal repairs in compartment 3 have been completed and the bottom plate and side plates installed.

All of the internal repairs which were substantial have been completed in compartment 5 with the exception of a set up of one frame on the port side aft. The bottom plate has been dragged under the boat and will be lifted starting today.

Approval has been given for the repair of the paddlewheel here at the yard rather than back in Marietta. Bill Reynolds visited the yard on Thursday, 8 July, and we reviewed a procedure for rotating the paddlewheel so that the repairs can be accomplished from the floor of the drydock and not up in the air. A tentative design for new diagonal bracing of the facing bar across the back of the wheel sponsons is coming into fruition. Presently, there is a welded steel I-beam which goes between the spokes/arms and that would interfere with the rotation. The new design would be an articulated hinge arrangement which would fold out of the way and would not require any physical lifting. New stops for the wheel will be bolted. This will allow the wheel to be rotated for maintenance as well as for any other purpose.