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Paddle Steamer Model - Charlotte Dundas Reg. No: ST 017851

Summary:: "Charlotte Dundas" Model. Steam powered vessel designed by William Symington of Scotland, and constructed about 1801-2. Generally regarded as the first practical vessel built for, and equipped with a steam engine. Symington received a patent for his marine steam engine design on 14 October 1801. The model is believed to have been made by the inventor's son, Andrew Symington, about 1852 and was brought to Victoria by another son, William Symington, in 1855. The Charlotte Dundas was a stern wheel paddle steamer for towing boats on the Forth and Clyde Canal. It was later banned by the canal owners for allegedly causing damage to the banks from her wash.

The model was exhibited at 1888 Melbourne Centennial International Exhibition. The official catalogue of the 1888 exhibition, p.671, lists "model of the 'William Symington' of 1802. The first practical steamboat. This model is the very one made by the inventor himself". It is listed as being exhibited by Thos. Wallace of Osborne Street, Williamstown, who also exhibited a model of a yacht. Family tradition is that this model was first exhibited at the 1866 Inter-colonial Exhibition in Melbourne. The model was loaned to the Museum by William Symington in 1889 and subsequently donated.
Description:: Length 30 inches, beam 7 7/8 inches (7 ¾ at smokestack), breadth at the stern 6 inches; depth from rail 6 ½ inches, from deck about 5 3/8 ins. and from presumed waterline 4 3/8 ins. The wheel well measures 5 ½ by 2 ½ ins. at the deck. Smokestack, one inch diameter and height overall 13 7/8 ins., above deck 8 ¼ ins. The boiler measures 6 ¼ ins. long by 3 ¼ ins. wide by 3 ½ ins. high.
The cylinder measures 2 ins. long (joint to joint) and diameter one inch, estimated bore ¾ inch. The crank is ¾ inches and the connecting rod 6 ½ inches.
The paddle frame is 5 1/8 inches diameter and 1 ½ ins. wide, with eight paddle blades which measure 2
Acquisition Information:: Loan & Subsequent Donation from Mr William Symington, 1889

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	352 mm (Height), 200 mm (Width), 762 mm (Length)
Dimension Comment:	Dimensions as measured by Graeme Symington, 26/08/2003.

More information

Tagged with:	exhibitions melbourne international centennial 1888-1889, paddle steamers, steam engines, ship models
Themes this item is part of:	Public Life & Institutions Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	WATER TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Steam Power
Tertiary Classification:	model paddlesteamers - tugboats
Past Owner:	Mr William Symington, Australia, 1855-1889
Place & Date Exhibited:	Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Victoria, Australia, 1888-1889