The Motor Ship Mount Washington

[BJAM]

It appears that the work on the ship is coming along good. As I write this, I can see the welders cutting a hole on the starboard side. I appears the hole is going to be between the O and the N on the decal Mount. I have a ring side seat to all the action.

[Phantom]

Ring side seat = Photo's to document the event !!

[RLW]

Can someone supply any??

[cruisenh]

Originally Posted by RLW

Attachment 3411 Can someone supply any??

We have been busy disassembling the old engines. Cote Contractors are setting up the rigging. Today Hewitt Welding cut the hole in the side.
Here are some pictures taken February 9 and 11.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by cruisenh

We have been busy disassembling the old engines. Cote Contractors are setting up the rigging. Today Hewitt Welding cut the hole in the side.
Here are some pictures taken February 9 and 11.

OKKKK, may I ask where did you hide them. I have looked in every nook and cranny and can't find them. You did a fantastic job hiding them.

[Chubbs]

I to am having no luck finding those pictures. Dying to see them.

[Channel Pirate]

Found some pix on the website www.cruisenh.com/Captains_Blog.html

[Chubbs]

Great pics. Thank you. Are there any pictures out there of the cutting of the hull etc etc ??

[cruisenh]

I uploaded them but I will try it again. Maybe I should just send them to the webmaster.

[RLW]

We appreciate your help and the time you are taking to please us all.

[cruisenh]

I don't know where the others went but here they are again. I must have done something wrong.

[NoBozo]

Good pictures. Could we maybe move the Mount WebCam around to the starboard side on shore so we could monitor ...second by second what's going on. Inquiring minds. . Yea Yea...I know the Cam has nothing to do with the Mount Management. Just wondering. NB

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Good pictures. Could we maybe move the Mount WebCam around to the starboard side on shore so we could monitor ...second by second what's going on. Inquiring minds. . Yea Yea...I know the Cam has nothing to do with the Mount Management. Just wondering. NB

Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[trfour]

V-12 marine Cat engines?

Caterpiler is #1 in marine diesel engines, bar none...

What will they be, MO SER# specks?...

Let us know, Captain Jim Morash!

Terry
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[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by trfour

V-12 marine Cat engines?

Caterpiler is #1 in marine diesel engines, bar none...

What will they be, MO SER# specks?...

Let us know, Captain Jim Morash!

Terry
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Wow! At last, something manufactured in America.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

Wow! At last, something manufactured in America.

I think they are made in Germany... Cat is a worldwide company.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

Wow! At last, something manufactured in America.

Absolutely SL!!... They are into other things as well, however are doing a fine job here with quality control in the US. and around the world, for that matter.

Mercedes Benz found out back in the 80s after opening a huge manufacturing plant in Brazil to build their truck line at the time, to cut the import taxes of their vehicles being imported here to the US., Quality control became a big problem for them to the point that they gave up and stopped importing their truck line. You can still buy trucks made in Germany, and they are a very good, you just need a Wide Bodied Wallet!!


WMUR Video; http://www.wmur.com/video/22733147/index.html

Caterpillar; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Inc.


Terry
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[robmac]

It was a great video however a little date. I myself was hoping they would show some more up to date video. But all in all still informative. I remember when MB truck division built a huge training and manufacturing facility in NC that is huge. Time we get back to American made and quality # 1 Just MHO

[trfour]

From Wednesdays Show, March 31st.

http://www.wmur.com/chronicle/22929543/detail.html



Terry
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[StephenB]

So, inquiring minds want to know. Is there any news?

[trfour]

Originally Posted by StephenB

So, inquiring minds want to know. Is there any news?

I've been keep'in an eye on any new news, nothing else yet...
The M/S Mount Washington's water testing will be sometime between now and before Mother's Day. Here's a link to the 2010 cruise schedule.
http://www.cruisenh.com/events.html

The re power and renovation project has sparked great interest and I'm sure that they will be giving us all an update video or two here shortly.

Stay tuned...



Terry
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[Rattlesnake Gal]

The Mount must be headed for the Weirs pier!

This just in from Lake Winnipesaukee WeatherCam on Facebook:

The M/S Mount Washington is visible in the camera view, moving very slowly southeastward, flanked by the Doris E. and the mail boat Sophie C. The small boats appear to be at near-idle.

[robmac]

Thanks RG for the update,looking forward to seeing all of the upgrades done over the winter months.

[Irrigation Guy]

Originally Posted by nobozo

good pictures. Could we maybe move the mount webcam around to the starboard side on shore so we could monitor ...second by second what's going on. Inquiring minds. . Yea yea...i know the cam has nothing to do with the mount management. Just wondering. nb

..........x3!

[SIKSUKR]

It looks like you have Cote Rigging of Manchester moving the motors? They have moved many pieces of equipment for me.

[dpg]

That's a big Milton Cat Diesel(s) going into the Mount. Cat makes many a motor for tons of applications, I have a little exposure to them through work.

[dmjr]

What is going to be the fate of the old engines?

[moose tracks]

What is the horse power ratings of the new Milton Cat Diesels going into the Mount? I know that the old engines put out 615hp each.

[Seeker]

Will the new ones have reverse gears?

[Bizer]

Originally Posted by Seeker

Will the new ones have reverse gears?

Yes. Like the old engines, the new engines only go in one direction. However the new gearboxes, which connect each engine to a drive shaft, can be put in reverse while the engines are running. With the old gearboxes it took as long as 30 seconds to stop one/both engines, switch gears, and restart the engines.

As a side note, the new engines are much lighter than the old engines. Ballast will be added to the bilge to assist in stability.

Updated 03-MAR-10. After posting the above I was corrected. I had no idea that diesel engines could run backward. In doing some online research, reversing a bi-directional diesel engine is accomplished by shifting the gears on the cam shaft so that the valves open/close at a different time than when running forward. This requires bringing the engine to a complete stop before shifting the cam shaft. The diesel in my VW does not have this option, but then again, I can shift to reverse without stopping the engine.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by Bizer

Yes. Like the old engines, the new engines only go in one direction. However the new gearboxes, which connect each engine to a drive shaft, can be put in reverse while the engines are running. With the old gearboxes it took as long as 30 seconds to stop one/both engines, switch gears, and restart the engines.

As a side note, the new engines are much lighter than the old engines. Ballast will be added to the bilge to assist in stability.

Yes, that 30 second delay is probably responsible for a couple of near and actual groundings of the Mount. On a windy day, watching the Mount make its turn in Centre Harbor I watched it almost go ashore several times, and once into a boat house a couple of cottages down from us. Looks like that won't be happening anymore.

[dmjr]

I noticed a large I-Beam sticking out the side of the Mount. Have they started lifting out the old engines or are the installing the new ones? What will be the fate of the old engines?

[Grant]

I noticed that also. Will post a photo.

[fatlazyless]

Sure looks like the same three guys are doing both Sebago & Winni engine jobs....same three guys....how about that! Cat's are always Caterpillar Yellow....and white is....Volvo?

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Sure looks like the same three guys are doing both Sebago & Winni engine jobs....same three guys....how about that! Cat's are always Caterpillar Yellow....and white is....Volvo?

Volvos are usually Green. This could be a Cummins. Cummins are White. This motor looks like a straight diesel....not turbo charged. Hard to tell. NB

[AltnBay]

I found this on the 'Mounts' facebook page under captians blog #3. Hope this helps. Again this is from there blog site."Many are asking about the new engines specifics. Well, quite simply they are C-32 CATS, 12 cylinders each with a horsepower rating of 750hp at 1800 rpms. We will have a ZF Mathers 4:1 reduction gear to bring the rpms down to 450. The control systems will be ZF Mathers as well. In addition we will be installing shaft brakes for the first time on this vessel. This will quicken our stopping time in emergency situations. But don’t think we can stop on a dime from full speed ahead. It will still take us about a ¼ mile to stop the ship from full speed ahead. What these shaft brakes will do is give us better response time in docking and departure maneuvers."

[Pineedles]

Do the new engines take up less room in the engine room?

[robmac]

I think they do,also because of the loss in ballast weight of the new power plants ballast will be added to maintain stability. Can't wait for ice out and a cruise.

[hancoveguy]

Originally Posted by robmac

I think they do,also because of the loss in ballast weight of the new power plants ballast will be added to maintain stability. Can't wait for ice out and a cruise.

They just added 72,000 lbs of concrete to the floor beams for ballast. They used several cement trucks and a pump truck to pump it in. It was relayed to me that the old engines were around 45,000 lbs each and the new engines are around 4500 lbs each. Thus the reason for the ballast.

HCG

[Pineedles]

I hope someone actually calculated the need to pump 72,000 lbs of cement into the the Mount for ballast as opposed to "well the old engines weighed 90K lbs and the new engines are 9K lbs, so I guess we need to make up the difference...." Placement of the weight is also a concern I would think?

[hancoveguy]

They had a an engineer watching a level as they pumped it in. From what I understand it was done very slowly and very carefully.

And most of all....PRECISELY

[rick35]

A lot of nights we could hear the rumble of those big engines across the lake when the Mount was heading back to the Weirs. That won't be the case any more with the new lighter engines.

[trfour]

The M/S Mount Washington is in good hands and they all know very well just what they are doing.

Some are concerned about what the new engines will sound like...
Picture this... I've been working on engines, including Cat and All brands of Diesel engines for very close to sixty years. Caterpillar always had their very own unique sound.
Now, the interesting thing to me is that the twin 1500 horsepower Cats with the four turbos wining through the exhaust system will sound more like a 747! They may need to add mufflers after the catalytic exhaust to deal with this.
Yet here again I am sure that they have this all figured out, and that any of us that wants to take an afternoon nap will not be be disturbed when she passes by, although I would want the Captain to sound her hornes to awake me so that I could listen to them sweet sound'in Kitty Cats!



Terry
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[robmac]

Terry, I don't think they're using the hot cats but the milder 750 versions.

[BroadHopper]

Bit surprise to hear that they use concrete. Concrete is porous and loses weight when it is dry and can absorb moisture and gain weight. Are you sure they use concrete? In the maritime industry, one would pump or drain seawater from ballasts to maintain a certain level on a ship. The Mt would surely be a lot higher in the water caring no passengers versus a full load of passenger and crew if they can't change the weight of the ballast.

Also concrete being porous will rust out the steel hull. Unless the concrete is in a seperate container, but that will cause shifting in rough water.

If the Mt is flat bottom like a barge, then then changing ballast will be less significent problem than a boat with a round or V hull.

[robmac]

Does anyone know when the work is to be completed? Wish there were more pics of the progess too,like relocation of the web cam.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Bit surprise to hear that they use concrete.

I was a bit surprised too. But, concrete has been used as marine ballast in steel hulls successfully. If the hull was prepped properly (sanded, epoxied, etc.) and the concrete is a higher PSI rating (5000+) and sealed after its cured, it should be okay for the next 100 years.

I'd be curious to know if it was straight 'crete, or if punchings were added to the mix.

[robmac]

That is a great video thanks for putting it up for all to see. I can only imagine a repower of this size and how much work and effort it takes. Nice to see that they are methodically tagging and cataloging all the parts and pieces.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by robmac

That is a great video thanks for putting it up for all to see. I can only imagine a repower of this size and how much work and effort it takes. Nice to see that they are methodically tagging and cataloging all the parts and pieces.

I am sure that the parts and pieces from our M/S Mount Washington's Enterprise Engines will be sought after so as to keep some other vessel, vessels going on, that were not ready, as yet to give up the Enterprise Engines... Grants Help, as you and we all know.

Having lived in the Lakes Region for so many years and being a fan of our M/S Mount Washington, I am Soooo happy that they chose Caterpillar engines to replace the old Enterprise's, as they are the very best and most efficient engines that money can buy these days... When it comes to Diesel Power, they've had and continue to have a lock on it...



Terry
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[trfour]

Originally Posted by robmac

Terry, I don't think they're using the hot cats but the milder 750 versions.

Sorry robmac, my goof.

What I meant was, twin 750s = 1500 HP. Cats.

[robmac]

It would've been fun if they had chosen the hot motors I can hear the turbos spooling up as she got underway.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by robmac

It would've been fun if they had chosen the hot motors I can hear the turbos spooling up as she got underway.

Like at the air shows at Pease? Makes my spine tingles!

[trfour]

Just shedding some more light on what a huge undertaking this engine swap project is all about.
Listen to Fred, Chief Engineer on the M/S Mount Washinton in this video blog part 2. http://www.cruisenh.com/videoblog2.html

They are much farther ahead with this, as the new Cat engines are already in place. I thought it fitting to catalog the progress here in this thread.

My hope is that they make a video when Fred gives the heads up, "Engine Room, Go'na Light The Candle." Give all us fans an idea of what the new Kitty Cats are going to sound like!


Terry
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[trfour]

Originally Posted by AltnBay

I found this on the 'Mounts' facebook page under captians blog #3. Hope this helps. Again this is from there blog site."Many are asking about the new engines specifics. Well, quite simply they are C-32 CATS, 12 cylinders each with a horsepower rating of 750hp at 1800 rpms. We will have a ZF Mathers 4:1 reduction gear to bring the rpms down to 450. The control systems will be ZF Mathers as well. In addition we will be installing shaft brakes for the first time on this vessel. This will quicken our stopping time in emergency situations. But don’t think we can stop on a dime from full speed ahead. It will still take us about a ¼ mile to stop the ship from full speed ahead. What these shaft brakes will do is give us better response time in docking and departure maneuvers."

Thank you AltonBay! I looked up the specs. on the C-32 engine family, and they come with a few different sauces.
( mild, medium and Hot ) !

http://marine.cat.com/cda/files/9627...ngine.pdf?mode


Terry
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[trfour]

If y'all want to talk about where our M/S Mount Washington will be in the future, I think she's in pretty good hands at this time. Maybe even better than we are. ... It's great to know that her Management doesn't keep or believe in Stop watches.

" You Go Girl "!!!!

Terry
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[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Sure looks like the same three guys are doing both Sebago & Winni engine jobs....same three guys....how about that! Cat's are always Caterpillar Yellow....and white is....Volvo?

Nope, different guys. Island employees and volunteers. One hired marine mechanic.

The engines are Northern Lights Luggers and yes they are turbo charged. The engines we took out were not turbos.

BT

[Gearhead]

Isn't it true that when when the engine job is done, we'll be able to wakeboard off the fantail? Just try to avoid getting the rope caught in the props.

[John A. Birdsall]

Back in 1958, my brother and I allowed my father to drive the puddy-tat and we went to the weirs. We were leaving the public docks and got caught behind the Mount (perhaps on Porpus) but the churning of the water made the mighty Puddy-tat go in circles.

For the younger generation let me say that the Mount did not go to Alton Bay without an escort, I am sure that Capt Lavalle (something like that) did not like that little black bug all that much. Sometimes we might have even got in the way.

But before they lengthened the Mount by 20' it had large wake and there were many a times that the little black boat would jump out of the water behind the mount. Today I am sad to say that they have outlawed that, and it was a lot of fun. I am and was very surprised that the wake of the mount was reduced after they lengthened it. I wonder if the new power plant will bring any of the wake back.

[Just Sold]

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

But before they lengthened the Mount by 20' it had large wake and there were many a times that the little black boat would jump out of the water behind the mount. Today I am sad to say that they have outlawed that, and it was a lot of fun. I am and was very surprised that the wake of the mount was reduced after they lengthened it. I wonder if the new power plant will bring any of the wake back.

Sure - just ask Larry C from Peggy's Cove - we were in his families green boat and did some nice wake jumps and close cuts to the Mount. Big wake! It sure was FUN!!!!
He was 11 and I was 12. (1962) The MP were very nice and even gave us an escort back to Larry's dock. BTW the age to drive a boat with a 40HP back then was 12 and Larry was driving.

I believe I was in the Puddy Tat on at least one occassion that it was jumping the Mounts wake. I think they added Marine Patrol to cruise with the Mount when in Alton Bay due all the wake jumping and cutting close to the bow of the Mount. Could be that you were the reason JHB.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

But before they lengthened the Mount by 20' it had large wake and there were many a times that the little black boat would jump out of the water behind the mount. Today I am sad to say that they have outlawed that, and it was a lot of fun. I am and was very surprised that the wake of the mount was reduced after they lengthened it. I wonder if the new power plant will bring any of the wake back.

That's a blast from the past. In the 50's and 60's we use to go out and jump the Mount waves as it travels across The Broads. Even did it with a water skier behing the boat!

[mets3007]

I was reading the 2010 schedule and saw only 1 cruise on Tuesdays and Thursdays (1230pm) and no more 315pm cruises even on weekends.

[trfour]

More pictures and things. http://www.cruisenh.com/Captains_Blog.html




Terry
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[WeirsBeachBoater]

I just read on facebook, that NH Chronicle Ch 9 tonight at 7:30 is doing a piece on the Mount. I believe it will give you some video of this big project.

[trfour]

WMUR TV 9 video; http://www.wmur.com/video/22733147/index.html





Terry
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[Lakesrider]

Yep. Just watched it. Done a while back because there was still ice in the water.....

[Gearhead]

Does anyone remember the old Disney movie, "Flubber"? Fred McMurray had a model "T" that ran (somehow) on flubber and was silent, so he made a little wooden electric box to mimic the sound of the engine so nobody got suspicious. That got me thinking about how to get the old engine sound back: I wonder if anyone has any high-quality recordings of the old engines. With a nice sound system you could play it over some loudspeakers so it has that old classic sound. Hey, you could play the theme to "Titanic".

But maybe that's a little tacky.

I wonder what the benefit would be if a few masts could be installed so it could make part of the trip under sail. Maybe that'll be the next generation...

[trfour]

Belmont junior prom cruises into sunset aboard 'Mount Washington'.
From the Citizen; http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../0/CITNEWS0817




Terry
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[Rattlesnake Gal]

Wow, what a great setting for a prom! To have the ship only carrying prom goers must be incredible. I wish they printed some pictures to go with the story. Who wouldn't want to see the students dressed in their Midnight Masquerade finery?

[tis]

In Wolfeboro you can see them all dressed up. They "promenade"? from Cate Park before boarding the Mount and a lot of people go to watch them.

[trfour]

W/pictures, from the Citizen; http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...914/-1/CITIZEN



Terry
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[BroadHopper]

Growing up on the Gilford side of the Broads we always enjoy hearing the Mount engines. Especially on the night cruise when you can also hear the band. At the beginning of the year, my mother would always say, after hearing the engines: 'The Mount is back!'.

So much for the memories.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Growing up on the Gilford side of the Broads we always enjoy hearing the Mount engines. Especially on the night cruise when you can also hear the band. At the beginning of the year, my mother would always say, after hearing the engines: 'The Mount is back!'.

So much for the memories.

Your Mom raised a good kid!
Think about it though, at least we can remember what she sounded like!
And I have saved her sound through some of the videos out at Mount Washington Cruise's website along with my own recalection from my very own big ears!



Terry
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[trfour]

On June 30th, a 21 year old Moultonborough resident was formally recognized aboard the M/S Mount Washington for his promotion to deck officer.

From the Citizen, July 2 2010; http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...871/-1/CITIZEN

Way to go Evan!!!!



Terry
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[trfour]

Some History... http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...2/0/CITNEWSHot


100 years ago - 'Mount' hung up on ledge for two days

By Warren D. Huse
Saturday, September 25, 2010
CENTER HARBOR — Steamer Mount Washington "was hung up on a ledge at One Mile island, in Centre Harbor bay," Sept. 23-24, 1910, "but was floated," Sept. 25, "without injury to the craft, and immediately resumed its regular trips between the principal ports on Lake Winnipesaukee," The Laconia Democrat reported, 100 years ago this week.

"The accident was caused by the dense fog which prevailed on the lake."

The shoal "was seen before the steamer struck it, and the engine reversed, but the Mount is a big craft and responds slowly to her paddles so that it was impossible to avoid the collision, but the bow struck with so slight a shock that absolutely no damage was done, although it required two days to free the steamer from her position on the ledge."

Passengers "were taken off in small boats and one of the railroad wrecking crews summoned from Concord ... The forward end of the steamer was raised with jacks and the craft pulled back off the ledge."



Terry
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