Original Machinery
Boiler
Challenge’s original boiler was a triple burner wet back Scotch boiler.
The boiler was originally coal fired, but was converted to oil fired in 1964.
it would have taken two days to fire fully from cold.
When it was converted to oil three natural draught burners by Todd were installed to the front.
A pair of steam powered fuel pumps were installed to heat the heavy fuel oil and then pump it into the boiler.
Engine
Challenge has a triple expansion steam engine that was built by Alexander Hall and Sons. The build number is 633, same as Challenge’s yard number.
It weighs approximately 45 tons and produces 1150 indicated horse power.
Attached to the engine is the reversing gear and the condenser.
The building that the engine was built in still exists in Aberdeen.
Piston specifics
HP diameter: 16.5 inches
IP diameter: 27 inches
LP diameter: 45 inches
Stroke length: 30 inches
Circulating pump
The pump is made by Drysdale and is number E4390. It uses a single cylinder steam engine.
The circulating pump is the most active pump onboard. If steam is being sent to anywhere, other than the whistle, the steam is exhausted into the condenser. The circulating pump’s job is to pump sea water through the condenser tubes to cool the steam down and condense it back into water to be reused by the boiler.
General Service Pumps
We have two general service pumps in the engine room. They are made by Thomas lamont and Sons of Paisley and are numbers 15600 and 15601.
They are both steam powered and use two pistons.
These pumps are for pumping water around parts of Challenge or for pumping water overboard. They can also be used to run a fire hose by pumping seawater up and out the deck hose connector.
Piston specifics
Piston diameter:
Stroke length:
Pumping capacity: 30 tons per hour
Windlass
Challenge’s steam windlass is mounted on the foredeck. It was made by Emerson Walker and is number 62232.
It consists of an engine that turns a main shaft, which mounts a drum at either end. Ropes can be wrapped around these drums and hauled in and out. It also has two gypsy wheels that can be engaged to the turning shaft to lower and raise the anchors.
Steering Engine
The steering engine was made by Donkin and Co and is no. 5995.
Challenge has two wheels. A large wheel, which was mostly used when at sea and a smaller wheel known as the pilot wheel.
When the larger wheel is engaged it is directly connected to the drum on the steering engine that the chain to the rudder wraps around. This means that you are using purely your own strength to turn the rudder.
However, when the pilot wheel is engaged it is connected to a valve that operates the small engine, which then turns the drum. This means that the rudder can be turned much quicker and without any effort on behalf of the helmsman.
110v Generator
Power on Challenge was provided by the steam powered 110v generator.
The engine was made by Shanks, engine number E42198, and houses a Witton Generator.
Specifications
Piston size: 5.5 inch
Piston stroke: 3 inch
Generator output: 110v 68amps 7.5kw at 550 revs
Fuel Pumps
When, in 1964, Challenge was converted to burn oil, she had a pair of steam powered fuel pumps mounted.
These pumps heat the heavy foil oil, that she would have run on, and then pump them through the old burners.
They can still run today and can still heat heavy fuel oil if required.
New Machinery
Byworth Boiler
In 2012 Challenge’s old boiler was removed and a new one was made by Byworth Boilers in Keighly.
The new boiler, named Rosie, is smaller, lighter and twice as efficient as the old boiler. It has forced air burners instead of natural draught like the old boiler.
One big advantage of the new boiler is that it requires a smaller funnel, which runs up the inside of the old funnel, and so has allowed a larger floor for the fidley (upper floor of the boiler room). This has given us a workshop/storage area and a place to install a fridge.
Beta Marine Generators
Challenge has two Beta Marine generators. These were installed with the new boiler and provide the power required to start and run the burner fans and all electrical systems onboard.
Specifications
Power output: 49.5kva
