To all crew, B&CSC members and new volunteers:
ENTRY-3/10/2010 (project note)
Soon the crew of the TUB BALTIMORE will embark on an ambitious project to rebuild the boiler smoke box which is heavily rusted and deteriorated. This will first require a hefty support frame to be installed that is capable of holding the entire weight of the stack above. Next the original smoke box will be removed from between the boiler and the stack. This will involve oxy-acetylene cutting, sawing and unbolting the old smoke box in pieces small enough to rig out of the engine room. Pieces from the original box will be used as models to fabricate new components for reinstallation.
The following proposal for the stack support frame was developed by Scott Rhul, Bob Pratt and Pat McCabe during a survey earlier this year. Refer to sketches 1, 2 and 3 showing top, end and side view of boiler with frame support installed.
The support frame is a cantilevered design secured to the boiler drum lifting eyes using adjustable clamps. The frame cantilevers aft to support the stack and steam separator. It will allow full support of the stack without stanchions to the keel which could interfere with the smoke box renewal and which would look out of place in the fire room.
Materials for the support frame
Two 13 foot longitudinals “A” bear the weight of the stack and would be the heaviest members of the frame. 6” x 6” x ½”thick box beam would certainly be strong enough, but once actual stack weight is known, smaller scantling longitudinals might be determined to be adequate, i.e., thinner box beam, rectangular beam, I-beam or channel. Lighter members are cheaper and easier to work with. Longitudinals of 6 inch height are chosen because there is 7” clearance between the underside of the steam separator and the top of the stack base plate.
Two 6.5 foot cross beams “B” hold the longitudinals tightly to the boiler drum and are clamped to the lifting eyes. 6” x 6” x 1/4”thick box beam would be adequate, but other shapes may well be strong enough.
Cross brace “C” holds the ends of the longitudinals from splaying and twisting. It can be a 6 inch piece of box beam, ½ inch bar or angle.
Four 6” long pieces of 2 inch pipe welded to the tops of the longitudinals cradle the steam separator to keep it from shifting out of position if the boat rolls.
Four clamp assemblies made from threaded rod and bar stock secure the cross beams to the boiler lifting eyes. Threaded rod, 1” or larger in diameter ,may be used to make the U-bolts. ¾” bar stock 4” wide and long enough to straddle “B” is drilled to accept the U-bolts. Eight nuts and washers fit U-bolts. These assemblies are easily installed, positioned and adjusted once the frame is in place. They obviate welding onto the boiler drum itself and are easily removed.
6” x 6” plates of varying thickness to use for shims between longitudinals and steam separator.
6” x 6” hardwood to use as shims between longitudinals and boiler drum.
Installation
Photograph positions of all piping, interference and fixtures prior to removal. Tag and match mark same.
All interference piping and fittings in way of the support frame must be removed from the boiler and the steam separator. Remove other interferences as necessary to facilitate moving the frame material into place. Blank all openings.
Remove lagging from the steam separator.
Boiler drum lagging shall be removed for the entire length of the longitudinals where they will bear on the drum. Alternatively four cutouts may be made in the lagging adjacent to the lifting eyes and shims installed to clear the lagging.
--Position longitudinals “A” in place.
--Position cross beams “B” above longitudinals “A” and weld them
together.
--Weld cross brace “C” in place.
*Original drafting of boiler in "TUG PARTS GALLERY" on home page.
Install steel shims between the longitudinals and the steam separator such that the forward end of the support frame is lifted 2 inches above the boiler drum. This will allow future provision to raise or lower the stack slightly.
Install clamp assemblies loosely. Tighten aft assemblies first to snug frame to boiler. Tighten forward assemblies to pull the forward end of the frame down and aft end of the frame up tightly against the steam separator. Install 6” x 8” wedge shaped hard wood shims in the gaps between the longitudinals and the boiler drum at the forward end of the frame and tighten the forward clamp assemblies down hard. Tighten aft assemblies down hard.
Fit and weld four pipes to longitudinals such that they secured the steam separator against lateral movement.
Reinstall interferences as expeditious. Prime and paint new and disturbed work.
In order to efficiently pursue this project, the crew must obtain a good quality oxy-acetylene rig including cutting tips and rosebuds, welding machine with plenty of rod, drill press, drill bits up to 1 inch, clamps, angle grinders, portaband saw/blades, heavy duty air compressor with needle guns and air chisels/hammers and various other tools prior to commencement of the work. A plasma cutter would come in handy. Steel shapes and materials as depicted in the sketches along with 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch steel plate, various sized angle iron up to 3 x 3 inches and small steel bar stock to rebuild the smoke box are also necessary. If you can provide any of this material or cash donation, please contact Pat McCabe at meservices06@gmail.com.
We will be posting soon 2010 projects to work on. We will be needing more volunteers to assist in many capacities. Fill free to contact us for information. We look forward to adding to our crew here on the Steam Tug Baltimore.
There are quite a few projects to tackle beyond onboard: historical research; event planning and coordination assistance; exhibit design and production; writing for this website and much more. The assistant engineer, Pat Ichniowski, will answer any questions you might have regarding working on the Tug.
In addition, we will be posting entries from the ships log over the years to give you an idea of the work that has gone on. We also anticipate much more material on the historical richness of this Tug, the Harbor and the Bay dealing with the Industrial Age and the Age of Steam.
If you have any questions concerning schedule of work, responsibilities onboard or off please contact us thru e-mail or phone. If you need a list of contacts beyond the “Contact Us” page please inquire through Steve.
If you are a possible new Volunteer, please contact Steve, Pat Ichniowski or myself. There are many avenues for your talents with this Historic Landmark Vessel.
