ships steering wheel

[colin lyons]

sailed twice on the aragona in 1966after the strike a paper boat runcimans/canatlantic she had a small wheel about 6 inches across that didnt have any presure so would;nt return to midships second trip out of glasgow the islanders that had joined would;nt do pilot wheels they only liked the old wooden wheels also sailed on a few manchester liners that you sat in a swivel chair and the wheel was like driving a bus i thought that was a step in the right direction

[j.sabourn]

Hi Colin, assume the suspected problem with the wheel was on the old telemotor system. Seen similar on the same system often. If not enough pressure the first answer is to top up the system at the wheel end, by topping up the system usually next to the wheel, and could see the liquid level through a sight glass. If this didnt work may have been air in the system somewhere and lines would have to be purged to get rid of. Telemoptor principle.... water is not compressible, so do not want air in system. As regards wheels on modern tonnage, a lot you now have buttons to steer or a small upright tiller. I dont really know why they got rid of the wheel as was as good as anything else. just change for changes sake I suspect, by persons who do not sail on ships. I dont think the telemotor system is used on conventional new tonnage to my knowledge, some owners may insist on same coupled up with electric steering , I wouldnt know. This would be more able to be answered by a recent or present marine engineer. Maybe slightly awkward on a long pilotage when the wheel had to be put back midships all the time by watching the helm indicator. Otherwise was not an unusual problem. Cheers John Sabourn

[Charlie Hannah]

Yes there are a lot of wheels with my name carved on, My best one I carved was, "I love Elsie" on the TILAPA`S wheel,
It helped to pass away the time on a boring two hour wheel.
Brian.

Brian i was on the Tilapa in 56 good little job!

[Lou Barron]

I would do my lookout than on the wheel i could have smoke on lookoutbut not on the wheel and also sing but not on the wheel

[j.sabourn]

Charlie if you were there after Brian there would probably be no alcohol left in the Binnacle compass. So hope it was warm weather. John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

I would do my lookout than on the wheel i could have smoke on lookoutbut not on the wheel and also sing but not on the wheel

Obviously Lou they had heard your singing outside and decided it would not fit in very well with the noise of the radar. LOL

[Bill Bland]

on three Athel tankers had electric steering "Sperry"one had to spine wheel back to midships with caution becaue the was no stop , thus one could have opposite rudder on . haff wheel like aircraft was A.E.G. leunkasterung? one had to watch 1notch was the hold position 2 notch was to start rudder movement, if ones mind wondered it could finish hard over. i seem to think there were five notches . to stop rudder at desired degree back to first notch. was only with it for three weeks M.V.Montrose about 1958.

[j.sabourn]

Going off course a little, in the back of my mind, seem to remember a saying you could always tell a ship by its boats. This saying seems a bit obtuse to me as the boats in port always had their covers on. The first impressions were at the bottom of the gangway or accomodation ladder. Safety net, stanchions and general state of access was first feeling of the ship. On gaining the deck was fireplans in handy position for use of fire brigade if called showing lay out of ship. Going around the deck was general tidiness of all running gear, various shackles with mousings where required. No raggy ended guy ropes etc. and general impression to an outsider. Nowadays ships are not like they were, no polished taffrails, gleaming bells and whistles. Is rare to see a crew member around. Going on the Bridge one gets the feeling of being in a clinic, the sight of a little joystick or a couple of buttons built into a forward consul covered in coloured lights does nothing to alleviate this feeling. At various times I have joined ships with very little warning and it was lucky there was always someone there who had done some time on the ship, as was a toss up sometimes on which button to push. This could be a very dangerous practice, there are supposed to be laws in general about this about having time to familiarize yourself with a ship, however like most safety laws they are there as long as it dioesnt stop the job. I would any day of the week prefer to see a wheel in the wheelhouse, shouldnt be called that anymore should be the stick house or the button house, or even better put a few scarlet ladies there and call it the w....house. Cheers John Sabourn

[Ivan Cloherty]

wheelhouse, shouldnt be called that anymore should be the stick house or the button house, or even better put a few scarlet ladies there and call it the w....house. Cheers John Sabourn

Guess we would all be signing on tomorrow

[Captain Kong]

Hi Charlie I did two on the Tilapa in 1954, good job then , plenty of Rum.
Cheers
Brian.