January
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The year has a good start with the New Years party on January
10. Spending the many hours on board one might not conclude that the
volunteers do have besides their hobby a full time job, and not always
a nine to five one. There are men working in shifts or even temporary
abroad and at sea. So the team is not complete but it is quite
enjoyable.
Rik, our electrician, is commencing with the wiring on the
Hercules, after completing the electricity on the Heibok4. The cabinets
of the accomodation on the Heibok4 are put in the under coat. In
preparation of the boilers survey the insides are thoroughly scraped
and brushed. Inspection holes are checked, the water side of the sight
glasses are cleaned. Too much to mention. And at night time the not too
young volunteers with stiff limbs will wonder why they have chosen for
this hobby.
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February
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The representatives of Lloyd's are coming on board for the
periodical survey of the boilers of the Heibok4 and Hercules. Always
somewhat exciting but the most important is to know your own boiler
quite well. We do talk about a large pressure vessel and that must be
in good condition. A few volunteers are using this opportunity to do a
test of capability in riveting. A special riveting stand has been made
for this purpose. The test is past by them successful.
For the annual meeting of the Steamboat Society (Vereniging
Stoomvaart) we are traveling to the Woudagemaal (Wouda pumping station)
in Lemmer this time. An appropriate location for the steam fanatics and
after the meeting we are offered with an interesting tour what is a
feast for our eyes in the beautiful complex what has been listed in the
UNESCO world heritage list for a reason.
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March
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After the boiler survey a start can be made with re-assembling.
The valves, non-return valves, drain valve and safety device can be re-mounted.
The firewall and fire grids are being placed back. New gaskets are fabricated
and inspection covers are closed.
Our boatmen vlet Argo is taken care of. The engine cover and floor
plates are removed. The old engine foundation is cut off and grinded.
The bottom is chipped. A new engine foundation is welded whereafter the
bottom is coated with three layers of Apexior No.3. Then the second hand
Tornycroft can be placed, whereafter the engine supports are being adjusted
and the engine alligned.
Rik is checking the electrical wiring in and below the wheelhouse
and the wiring to the switch board. The steps to the wheelhouse are
suffering quite some wear. Four new ones
are fabricated of which the corners are forged smoothly round.
Angle bars are adjusted. The old steps are cut off and the new ones riveted in place.
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April
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The benches on deck of the Hercules are subject to replacement
and together with Bas new ones are made. For the purpose of the warm inspection,
the last part of the boiler survey of which the safety valves must open at the
required pressure, the boilers are fired up. The safety valves on board the
Hercules are opening on the required moment. Unfortunately a few covers on the
Heibok4, out of a total of eight pieces, are not possible to get closed.
The boiler must be depressurized and other gaskets are cut. Now everything
stays properly closed fortunately, and also here the overpressure is blowing
out of the boiler at the required pressure.
Taking part of the opening act on Kings Day.
We were so proud of it and we did work and polish so hard to have everything ready on time.
Family and friends sat standby in front of the television. Despite all meetings and
preparations everything worked out different than expected. We were on screen
a few seconds only and besides one or two only of our fleet nobody did see
someone of the Royals. No matter that we had fun after all. It worked out to
be some kind of a mini "Dordt in Stoom", and a companiable togetherness with
the other crews. One day ahead in the Rietdijkhaven we had a meeting in the
course of which the Ketel1 Oranje Vodka was snapped up and where a toast was
given to the King in advance.
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May
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We are casting off for a voyage to
Lekkerkerk where we will do roundtrips
together with the "Jan de Sterke" for the "Oranjevereniging" the next day.
We make a stop-over in the corner of the Wilhelminahaven to whistle a goodbye
to an incurable sick friend and skipper of the "brown fleet", after which we
resume our voyage with a somewhat resigned mood. On arrival the Jan de Sterke
has been moored at the pontoon already and it is becoming a companiable but
chilly evening on deck with a nice snack and a drink to stay warm. The next
day we are proceeding back and forth with passengers and the last roundtrip
was reserved for the members of the "Oranjevereniging" itself including a small
drink. When prior departure homebound we are getting a delicious Chinese meal.
It makes the day totally complete.
In the week hereafter the steamwhistles are sounding once again for an
appropriate farewell bid to the deceased skipper who is transitting the lock
on board his own ship and is passing the Hercules and Heibok4 on his way to
his last destination. The howling of the sirene on the Heibok4 is quite portaying
the feelings of many witnesses. The next day, with the assistance of the port
authorities service boat, the Heibok4 is towed to the Florynhaven to participate
the
"Molendag" (windmills day) on Saturday. The men are hoisting up "Kleppie"
and are replacing the propeller. At night we are enjoying the shared barbecue together
with the "brown fleet" and Kees and Harm are frying a delicious fish. On Sunday we are going back to the Voorhaven with ease.
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June
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The propeller frame of the "Goudvisch" is taken care of since this was quite bended.
With the use of two jacks and a heater it was straightened rather well.
The funnel of the "Hercules" is getting a new coating. This is actually an annoying job.
One hand for the ladder and the other one for the paint. Not nice, especially when you have
fear of hights.
Shifting the boat with the assist of "Kleppie" to the other side for bunkering
coal, that was the intention, like we did many times before. The engine of "Kleppie" is smoking
more and more but the boat is sticking in the mud. Throwing our own weights into the mooring
ropes appears not to be effective and we have to surrender finally. But the coal truck is
underway, so "Help" what to do? Fortunately is neigbour Geert with his barge "Renova" willing
to help a little. He is towing us to the middle of the Voorhaven and then casting off.
To our astonishment the boat is grounding again and it is necessarry to make fast again.
After some more assistance from shore side everything ends fine and, just before the coal
truck arrives, we are moored and ready to commence bunkering. The two tons of smokeless coal
what was ordered in the UK did arrive the next day. These were in The Netherlands meanwhile
and Cor, the truck driver of our sponsor "Ketel1", did pick it up for us. When Cor arrives
Geert is ready to assist us again. With his car crane he is lifting two times one pallet
with coal over his car on board of the "Gaston". Thanks lads!!
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July
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One is talking about it for almost a year, we are going to Burghsluis for the finish
of the Tour de France at "Neeltje Jans". Nice opportunity to sail at sea again. It are nice/warm
days with fine company, a barbecue and reception honouring the 35th anniversary of the yacht club.
On the day of the finish we are departing, with a group of guests, accompanied by a couple of
"Hoogaarzen". Unfortunately it becomes filthy weather. Everybody is looking for shelter and the
"Hoogaarzen" are returning to safe haven. When the weather seems to improve a little they are
coming back fortunately. During the finish the weather clears and the sun is shining between
the opening clouds, whereupon the bronze choir is sounding loud.
The boat stays in the marina of Burghsluis until we depart for Zierikzee for the "Hardzeildagen"
(sailing race). We are travelling up and down and Jurgen, who is living somewhat close by,
is watching aboard and is using the opportunity useful with painting and maintaining the boiler
and its fire.
Again we are acting as start and finish vessel in Veere and during Saturday as much as possible
people are walking around in clothes in the year 1928 what gives a very nice picture. After the
prizes ceremony we are partly proceeding homebound and stay overnight at the "Krammer" locks.
By this we are back in Schiedam on Sunday afternoon not that late. It is good to see the boat
back at her own berth after all those days. Take a look at the
pictures here.
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August
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It did take quite some matters, and it stayed unsure for quite a while but after 10 years
we are joining
Sail Amsterdam again. Quite high beam waves are predicted so we let go the idea to
go over sea. We are not the only ones who are heading for Amsterdam and it is noticeable busy at
the "Beatrix" locks. On the somewhat boring Amsterdam Rijn Canal we are using the time with some
final wash and wiping jobs. We do have a nice berth at the Noordwal in Amsterdam and some neighbours
are paying a visit. The next early morning guests are boarding for the Sail-in. On Thursday morning
we are decorated with flowers, hortenia's this time. We are doing a tour on the IJ every day, what
requires a lot of concentration from the captains, what a swarming. In the evening we are enjoying
the fire works and perhaps even more the chaos afterwards, when everybody wants to go homebound
swiftly with lots of near misses as a consequence. On Saturday evening we are going with all crews
to the Elfin where the birthday of Frank, our chairman of the steamship society, is celebrated.
We are departing on Sunday afternoon ahead of the stoppage for the Sail-Out and stay overnight in
Vianen. We are leaving port again the next morning early and are enjoying the daybreak. Around noon
we are back and are having lunch together in the messroom of the "Heibok4". It was a great event and
hopefully we are joining again over 5 years!
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September
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We are commencing the month with a tour for a private group of people.
At the end of the afternoon we cast off the ropes and after touring around we
are mooring alongside in Rotterdam enabling us to watch the fireworks of the
World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen).
The Hercules build in 1915 celebrates her 100th anniversary this year.
To highlight this we are showing off with a nice slogan on the bulwark this year:
"For 100 years with the bronze choir already, this old lady is going for it".
We are also getting in touch with various media in order to draw attention to this.
Participating "Open Monuments Day" we transit the lock with Heibok4 and Hercules
and are mooring
at the quay of the Buitenhavenweg, accompanied by various vessels
of the brown fleet. The whole day we are open for public visits. Although our berth
is somewhat out of the route and the day starts very quiet, we are welcoming quite
some friends, acquaintances and old volunteers. We conclude the day with a
companionable barbeque on deck of the Heibok4.
Also the gas installation is tested/certified this month.
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October
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During preparation for departure to the
Furieade reporter Ellis of
"Schiedam Leeft" is visiting once again. This time to make a somewhat more
extensive coverage of the foundation. During the voyage to Maassluis Dennis
is producing
a time lapse video from the Heibok4.
With the use of "Kleppie" we are collecting at the opposite side of the
harbour the new refrigerator for the Hercules. The previous one was old,
quite smaller, and was not suitable anymore during longer events. On board
of the Heibok4 a new mast foot is made for a new to be placed mast and Theo
continues with making a new kitchen block in the messroom. The facilities
aboard the Heibok4 are minimum and bit by bit this is improving.
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November
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November, the period of
the Saint Nicolas entries. After days of preparation we are told one day in advance,
that if the weather is not improving the entries might be cancelled due to the strong wind.
On Saturday morning it fortunately appears that the event on the water can go on. Towards
Vlaardingen at first, accompanied by our steam whistles and the band on the aft deck we bring
Saint Nicolas and his servants up to the Visbank. When Saint Nicolas is going
into the City Centre by horse, we are departing the port quietly and are proceeding
towards Schiedam. Around noon we do arrive at the Port Entrance and are welcomed
again by an enormous crowd. Saint Nicolas is continuing his tour by coach, our
job is done and are we going back to our berth.
During the following days everything is prepared against frosty weather.
The boiler and aft peak are drained, all pipe lines are blown through. The antenna's
in the upper mast of the Hercules are removed in order to be able to remove the upper
mast itself where after it is treated against discolouration.
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December
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On the Hercules the funnel mark is removed enabling to be able to recoat the
part of the funnel there after. With the use of the top runner of the Heibok4 the fore
mast of the Hercules is removed. A good winter job because the removing and renewal of
the electrical wiring is quite time consuming.
The cascade tank and overflow tank are cleaned. The pressure pipe of the ejector
lens pump is repaired. The "Goudvisch" is receiving a new propeller shaft. Flanges are
cut for the cooling water connection of the "Argo".
On the before last day of the year we are celebrating a late Christmas drink with
the volunteers who are having their Holidays.
Despite the dark predictions in respect of events, all in all, we did not have a
bad year after all. See you in 2016.
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