FAQ / Triad History / River Boats
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Last updated 25th March 2007 by Bree
Glossary of Riverboat Terms
Article by: Jane
Boilers – Each boiler includes a firebox and with the water tubes running through it to produce the steam to drive the engines.
Bucket(s) – The flat piece of wood that acts as a paddle on the paddlewheel. One paddlewheel has many buckets.
Capstan – A spool onto which ropes could be wound to winch a boat into position alongside a bank or wharf.
Channel – The main course of the river which is its deepest part. This may veer from one side of the river to the other, often as the river rounds bends. After flooding the channel may have changed position.
Deck – Each level or storey on the riverboat. The main deck fitted to the hull and supports the boiler, engines and provides the main cargo area. Upper decks provide lighter cargo storage areas and crew and passenger accommodation.
Draft – How far the riverboat hull goes underwater. Unlike seagoing vessels, riverboats need very shallow drafts.
Hawser – A heavy line or rope that is used to moor the riverboat.
Lead Line – Soundings are done with a lead weight on the end of piece of knotted line known as the lead line.
Pilothouse – The part of the upper deck structure of the riverboat from which the captain and pilot manoeuvre the boat.
Sounding – Checking the depth of any part of the river. Although charts are made and kept the river is far more variable in character than the sea and a wise riverboat captain and crew take soundings in any unfamiliar area or circumstances.
Stage – The winch-operated landing stage (gangplank and pivot) that enables the riverboat to take on or discharge cargo or passengers even without a wharf structure. It is positioned at the front (or bow) of the riverboat.
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: River Boat Location Information
Boilers – Each boiler includes a firebox and with the water tubes running through it to produce the steam to drive the engines.
Bucket(s) – The flat piece of wood that acts as a paddle on the paddlewheel. One paddlewheel has many buckets.
Capstan – A spool onto which ropes could be wound to winch a boat into position alongside a bank or wharf.
Channel – The main course of the river which is its deepest part. This may veer from one side of the river to the other, often as the river rounds bends. After flooding the channel may have changed position.
Deck – Each level or storey on the riverboat. The main deck fitted to the hull and supports the boiler, engines and provides the main cargo area. Upper decks provide lighter cargo storage areas and crew and passenger accommodation.
Draft – How far the riverboat hull goes underwater. Unlike seagoing vessels, riverboats need very shallow drafts.
Hawser – A heavy line or rope that is used to moor the riverboat.
Lead Line – Soundings are done with a lead weight on the end of piece of knotted line known as the lead line.
Pilothouse – The part of the upper deck structure of the riverboat from which the captain and pilot manoeuvre the boat.
Sounding – Checking the depth of any part of the river. Although charts are made and kept the river is far more variable in character than the sea and a wise riverboat captain and crew take soundings in any unfamiliar area or circumstances.
Stage – The winch-operated landing stage (gangplank and pivot) that enables the riverboat to take on or discharge cargo or passengers even without a wharf structure. It is positioned at the front (or bow) of the riverboat.
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: River Boat Location Information