Since the last report there have been no significant changes to the steam plant. We attempted to reduce the bark of the exhaust by increasing the diameter of the exhaust pipe into the funnel, this has only produced a very minimal affect on the noise. An additional lubricator was fitted to increase the flow of oil to the bottom end. The important addition was the installation of the Windermere kettle, which came in very handy when President was running solo. Steam tea has its own very special flavour, don't ask why, but it does.

The big disappointment was the failure of a tube just as we were leaving the museum for the trip south for the National Festival.

For the benefit of our members who are puzzled by this problem, there are 72 x 2" dia tubes through which the hot gases pass from the back of the boiler to the front smoke box. these tubes are surrounded by water which takes the heat and produce the steam. These tubes are now 16 years old; i.e. the original tubes fitted by Cochrane's when the boiler was new in 1990.

The fact that one tube split is a clear indication that all the tubes are in need of replacement.

The boiler has now been disconnected from all the pipe work, the forward bulkheads have been removed and the boiler has been slid into the hold.

Bradlee Boilers of Lye have been contracted to re-tube, at the same it has been decided to bring forward the scheduled work of testing the welds of the pressure plates and the barrel from 2008 to coincide with the re-tubing, the 5 year cycle will start as of this year therefore the next time the boiler has to come out will be 2011.

Whilst the boiler is away we plan to de- gunge the engine hole and repaint the cabin walls.

A couple of years ago I had a wonderful trip on Gondolier the famous steam boat on Coniston. I spent nearly all the trip talking to the crew and admiring the immaculate steam plant. What impressed me was the exhaust expansion box. Since then I have pondered as to whether one could be fitted to President. After some further enquiries I was put in touch with Roger Mallinson( a man of great knowledge and experience in the world of steam, who had designed the box on Gondolier). He very kindly explained the principle of the box and suggested dimensions. As a result a design has been made and we are now looking at getting it costed and hopefully installed. What the blazes is it and what will it do? It is a lagged vertical cylinder 12" dia 48" high sealed at the bottom and the top, the exhaust steam is fed into the box approx half way up at an angle so the steam will swirl round, as it does so the water and oil which currently discharges up the funnel with the exhaust steam, will collect at the base of the box where it is discharged from the bottom via a valve into the bilge. The exhaust steam leaves the top of the box through a pipe which extends into the box by approx 6"; this pipe is drilled with holes which equal the diameter of the pipe which takes the steam to the funnel. The result will be a quieter exhaust beat and a major reduction in the soot, oil and water which is the bane of all crew members who have spent hours lovingly cleaning and polishing the cabin.

That is the theory watch this space.

David Stott