Steam Launch

I don’t usually do photo posts, but while at the locks the other day we came across a couple of steam launches moored for a lay-over, and I snapped these with my iPhone:

Steam Launch #1

A little smaller than The African Queen, but still an amazing piece of work.

Steam Launch #2They seemed to have to periodically warm the boiler – unseen in these photos is the pile of wood they were carrying to feed the fire.

Steam Launch #3Look at all those valves; I’ve never had interest in buying a boat, but the shear level of fuss-pottery that seemed to be involved actually makes ownership of one of these tempting.