Steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw (As old as TITANIC), Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand (Aotearoa)

A continuation of our steam tour across New Zealand (Aotearoa): We visited the T.S.S. Earnslaw at Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu. The ride was so amazing, Dad and I did it twice. I know this is a very long video, but I couldn't leave out some of the amazing engine room footage. I'll make a shorter version in the future. Many thanks to Chief Engineers Jacko, Sebastian, Stoker Jon, and the rest of the wonderful crew. Specs: Tonnage 330 GRT Length 51.2 m (168 ft 0 in) Beam 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in) Draught 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) Installed power Twin locomotive-type coal fired boilers, working pressure 180 psi (1,200 kPa) Propulsion Twin triple expansion, jet condensing vertical marine steam engines producing 500 hp (370 kW) at 145 rpm; cylinder diameters, 13 in (330 mm) (high pressure), 22 in (560 mm) (intermediate), 34 in (860 mm) (low pressure); cylinder stroke, 18 in (460 mm) Speed 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) Complement 11 crew, 389 passengers Notes Coal capacity 14 tons The TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 Edwardian twin-screw steamer located on Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand. It holds the distinction of being one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago, the longest steamship built in New Zealand, and is the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship run by a wholly commercial enterprise in the Southern Hemisphere. The ship is also known for its unique slipway at the southwest corner of Lake Wakatipu’s Frankton arm, which features a steam engine-powered winch once used to propel the paddle steamer 'Antrim', a predecessor of Earnslaw. In the early 1900's New Zealand Railways (NZR) contracted John McGregor & Company shipbuilders of Dunedin to construct a steamship specifically for Lake Wakatipu. Designed by naval architect Hugh McRae, the Earnslaw was built with a steel hull and Kauri timber decking. Propulsion is provided by two coal-fired locomotive-type firetube boilers (chosen because she was built for the railway, as opposed to Scotch marine boilers), and two triple-expansion, jet-condensing engines. The keel of the ship was laid on July 4, 1911. The the hull parts were numbered, ship was then dismantled and transported across the South Island to Kingston at the southern end of the lake, and then reassembled at their final location. On February 24, 1912, the Earnslaw was launched, and she began trials in August of the same year. On August 18, 1912, the ship embarked on its maiden voyage to Queenstown, with the Minister of Marine, John A. Millar, aboard as captain. The Earnslaw became an integral part of NZR’s fleet, transporting passengers and cargo, including livestock, to the surrounding high-country stations. Over the years, the ship worked alongside other vessels like the paddle steamers Antrim and Mountaineer and the screw steamer Ben Lomond. By the 1960s, however, the Earnslaw faced the threat of scrapping. In 1969, she was leased by Fiordland Travel, which later became Real Journeys and then RealNZ. In 1982, she was purchased by the same company, ensuring her continued operation. In 1984, the Earnslaw underwent a significant refit, during which her funnel was painted bright red and her hull white. Her kauri timber decks were also glassed in. In 1990, the Earnslaw carried Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their visit to the region. Other royals, including the Prince of Thailand and the King and Queen of Belgium, also took voyages aboard the ship. Despite her age, the Earnslaw cruises up to 14 hours a day. Operating year-round, the ship carries passengers across Lake Wakatipu, offering scenic cruises from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Every two years, the ship is taken out of the lake for maintenance. https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/day-cruises/tss-earnslaw-lake-cruises/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSS_Earnslaw https://youtu.be/eTaAsqBMlyc?si=PKLrOdvH8AGiiA2q To learn more about Steam Societies and Steam Boats in New Zealand and Australasia, visit: http://www.steamboat.com.au/ https://hikitia.nz/ www.facebook.com/AuckSteamEngineSociety/ https://www.facebook.com/steamtractionsocietynz/ https://feilding.co.nz/address/attractions--activities/museum---the-steam-traction-society.html https://www.facebook.com/RoxnDamo/ https://manawatunz.co.nz/listing/tokomaru-steam-engine-museum/ https://www.steamscene.co.nz/ https://www.facebook.com/steamscene/ Other steam stuff: http://www.thesteamboatingforum,net/forum/ http://www.steamboatassociation.org.uk/ http://www.northweststeamsociety.org/ http://www.spiretech.net/~artemis/NASAhome.htm Music: The Sand Pebbles Overture (LP Album Version) by Jerry Goldsmith The Sand Pebbles: Original Motion Picture Score Twentieth Century Fox 1966 NOTE! this video or audio may not be reproduced or sampled without my express, written permission. Top 10 lists and other compilations are not "fair use"! More information on copyright and fair use as related to YouTube: http://goo.gl/8NDLUV