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Spool Area
This area is the area that defines this wreck as, unquestionably, a Stern Paddlewheel Wreck. A drive shaft/axle connects the port and starboard cantilever beams. The axle has four paddlewheel attachment hubs spaced along the axle. The two outboard hubs are next to each cantilever beam. The two inboard axles are evenly spaced between the to out board hubs. There appears to be no remains of the outer portions of the paddlewheel assembly. Just the hubs remain in tact. Assistance identifying or explaining any of these items or answering the Questions listed below would be greatly appreciated. Statistics:
Cantilever Beam
Beam
----------- 24 Feet Pictures:
Synopsis: This is the one area that appears to be contrary to all other areas of this wreck in that it appears that this spool and cantilever beams are on the bottom in an upside down orientation. See the Spool Drive Shaft Arm Attachment Comparison picture. We have yet to find a stern paddlewheel ship with its paddlewheel shaft mounted on the base of the cantilever beams. Nor have we found an example of one where the Pitman Arm is under the cantilever beams as opposed to above the cantilever beams. Not to mention, we find most cantilever beams Cantilever Beams tapering up from the bottom of the boats. We find it curious that where each of the four spool hubs touch the ocean floor they form a point. We suspect that this phenomenon results from the decay of the material in an ocean environment and the stress of the paddlewheel resting on the bottom. As mentioned above all other aspects of the paddle itself have disappeared. This is not unexpected because the paddles/buckets were commonly made of wood, typically white oak, and the small attachment hard were would have succumb to the environment over time. We see what appears to be attachment points of the hog trusses used to support the paddlewheel assembly in the Cantilever Beams Picture but we have yet to find any tresses. Type Of Ship: This spool area makes it obvious that we are working with a stern paddlewheel ship. Cargo: Nothing in this area to suggest its cargo. Sinking Date: Nothing in this area has helped to determine the sinking date. It does appear to be substantial deterioration with only super structure steel remaining, thus indicating its been submerged for quite some time. Cause Of Sinking: Nothing in this area has helped to determine the cause of sinking. How It Sank: This areas current condition supports the idea that it sank to the bottom mostly in tact but in an upright position. This is in, what appears to be, direct conflict with what evidence we find else where on the wreck. So it begs the question, could this ship have broken apart enough to allow the stern to land on the bottom upside down while everything forward of the cantilever beams ended upright on the bottom. 1. Are there examples of stern paddlewheels manufactured with the Spool drive shaft being mounted on top of the cantilever beams? 2. Are there examples of known stern paddlewheels with similar Spool, hub and shaft construction? 3. Is this area of the wreck upside down and why? |
