Portwey’s Machinery
Boiler
Portwey’s boiler is a double furnace Scotch type. It was built by D&W Henderson og Glasgow.
It is coal fired.
Specification
Diameter: 10ft 6in
Length: 11ft
Furnace length: 6ft
Furnace width: 4ft
Water capacity: 15 tons
Engines
Portwey is propelled by a pair of compound double acting steam engines made by D&W Henderson of Glasgow. They produce 400ihp each and are connected to a pair of 5ft 10in propellers.
Piston specifications
HP piston diameter: 11in
LP piston diameter: 22in
Stroke length: 15in
Salvage Pump
At the rear of Portwey’s engine room you will find her salvage pump. It is a powerful pump that can move an enormous amount of water.
It has a deck mounted intake and outlet, which can have multiple hoses connected.
It was built by J W Carruthers of Glagow and is number 7373.
Specifications
Pumping capacity: 80 tons an hour
General Service Pump
Portwey has a single general service pump and it is mounted between the boiler and engine room.
It was made by J W Xarruthers and is number 7442.
Its main job is to pump fresh water into the boiler, but it can also pump out the bilges and pump seawater inboard.
Generator
Portwey has a steam powered generator, which supplies electricity to her.
It was built by Electromotors Ltd of Openshaw, Manchester and is number 29898. It is powered by a Robey double acting single cylinder engine.
Specification
Output at 750 rpm: 100v, 1 amp, 1kv
Windlass
Portwey’s windlass is mounted on the foredeck. It is steam powered and was built by Emerson Walker of Gateshead.
It has a drum at each end, which can be used for taking in or letting out rope.
In the centre are two Gypsy Wheels that, when engaged, allow the anchors to be raised and lowered.
Steering Engine
Originally Portwey had no steering engine, but later in her life one was installed. The engine is mounted backwards due to Portwey having not been designed for one.
It was built by Donkin and is older than Portwey.
There are two wheels in the wheelhouse. The larger wheel is for turning the rudder manually by strength along.
The smaller pilot wheel, when engaged, is what operates the steam engine, which will then use steam power to turn the drum that the anchor chains are wrapped around. This allows faster and easier turning of the rudder.
