Antique steam boiler becomes attraction

carmel pule

Apr 27th 2009, 20:16

Brian Groves, may I pull your leg a little. STEAM BOILER, it is so true that you cannot boil steam, so it follows that you cannot boil Cornwali, Lanchasire, Gallow, and Richard Trevithick in the Cornish Boiler, Lanchasire Boiler, Galloway Boiler, nor the Trevithick Boiler.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A boiler causes Ebullition consisting in the motion of water particles ascending and descending to take up heat from heated plates. The sole motive power is the diminishing specific gravity in contact with the heated plates or tubes. If bubbles are formed the plates will overheat and distort. Steam forms above at the surface of all this wonderfull dynamics. So , lets opt for Hotwater Generator, Steam Generator, Superheated steam Generator !!!!

Brian Groves

Apr 27th 2009, 17:25

For the sake of total accuracy, it should be described as a boiler (an old term) or a steam generator. You cannot boil steam!

Pawlu Agius

Apr 27th 2009, 10:10

Enemalta underground power station, dating from post war (prior to 1950s, financed by the Marshall Aid) could also be an attraction. Unfortunately it seems that for some time it was used as a training facility, with students allowed to dismantle parts of it (like unique copper gauges)!.

carmel pule

Apr 27th 2009, 01:25

Would Heritage Malta please call on MR Hili at Luqa and the old gentleman in Gozo to see the richness of the machinery they have suitable to man a top class national technical musenm

Robert Scullion

Apr 25th 2009, 20:16

@GaleaL

How about some people removing that huge chip from their shoulder and moving forward?

Its a remarkable piece of machinery and of Maltese heritage. Just leave it at that and enjoy it.

Charles Falzon

Apr 25th 2009, 19:14

Mr. L.Galea.
The British could not have stolen anything of certain value from Malta because the French had seen to that during their short infamous stay here.
Let's not forget the Grandmaster's sword and dagger.

Paul Norton

Apr 25th 2009, 17:26

In a steam museum at Westonzoyland, Somerset there is a similar but larger example of one of these boilers. Although it looks very old it was in fact built during World War Two. They were used as emergency boilers to replace those destroyed by enemy bombing of factories. Could it be that these three boilers had a similar use in the Dockyard? I cannot speak Maltese but clearly the commentary on the video suggests the makers were Marshalls. It is highly unlikely that this boiler was used on a steam locomotive but what we see now is how it was built.

GaleaL

Apr 25th 2009, 17:17

Alex Brincat
How about the British government first returning the guns and other items they stole from Malta?

Alex Brincat

Apr 25th 2009, 14:35

Well done to Heritage Malta for their work and enthusiasm. Let us hope that unique itms such as the loco boiler are protected against possible damage by vandals if these are kept outside as shown in the video. Maybe we can give one of the three, when fully restored, to some British museum where it can be admired in the UK.

john Alex Iles

Apr 25th 2009, 14:26

Although 130 years old they were still in use up to the 70's, I should know as I was involved in Boiler repairs for the last 42 years at the Yard. It was not difficult to maintain since being mobile it would be taken to the then Boiler Shop where extensive repairs could be undertaken. I remember clearly that in one instance the whole firebox with surrounding water space stays were renewed. This was deemed as an interesting job as they were of a riveted construction and with the advent of welded type boilers such cases were rare and far apart. Later they were used to undertake trade proficiency tests to Boilermaker Apprentices.

A Abela

Apr 25th 2009, 13:55

@ Mr. Stafrace

I imagine the British have plenty of these. They would not need more! But if such a possiblity exists, why not? Maybe we can trade it for the Wignacourt cannon in the Tower of London (which was stolen by the British).

Joe Micallef

Apr 25th 2009, 11:44

This is incredibly interesting! Well done to all those involved in bringing this artefact back to light! It’s a stand alone touristic landmark, particularly for the British. If only it is possible to bring at least one to life....so much the better!

Charles Stafrace

Apr 25th 2009, 11:44

It doesn't look that rusty to me. In fact, considering that it's 130 years old its condition is remarkable, even though a little restoration seems to have been done to it already. Now that we have three of them, perhaps Heritage Malta could negotiate a favourable swap with a British museum.

I am imagining how today's cars would look if left under dust for so many years - certainly a block of rust.

Lawrence Bonello

Apr 25th 2009, 11:42

@Mr Gauci

JITRAKKAW mhux JITREKKNU mal-moll!!!

Francis Buhagiar

Apr 25th 2009, 11:40

Only god knows what other machinery, which today is considered collectors items still exist at ;the Malta drydocks . One should consider making the number 1 dock and its surrounding building a Dockyard Museum.
Frans Buhagiar
Safi