Old paddle wheel boat sinks on way to renovation.
In what surly confirms that Toledo is a jinx for former CP watercraft, the “Great Lakes” a former paddle wheel boat from Cedar Point, sunk while being towed to Port Clinton for renovation. According to the Toledo Blade, the owner, a former boat operator at Cedar Point, purchased the boat for $6,000 and was going to renovate it for service as a water taxi between downtown Toledo and a series of restaurants across the Muamee river from it. The boat was hit by waves which flooded it, capsized it, and sent it under 40 feet of water. The tugs company has insurance but there is no word as to if they will pay to have the boat recovered, or simply pay the cost of the boat.
More than 10 years ago, the venerable paddle wheeler G.H. Beckling, the historic boat that transported CP visitors to and from the point for decades, was docked in Toledo. The boat was awaiting renovations prior to being returned to service after years of sitting idle following its retirement in the late 50s. It was broken into, set afire, and burned to the waterline. Sadly there wasn’t anything left to fix.
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Nathan W.L. Boyle
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BGSU '97
More than 10 years ago, the venerable paddle wheeler G.H. Beckling, the historic boat that transported CP visitors to and from the point for decades, was docked in Toledo. The boat was awaiting renovations prior to being returned to service after years of sitting idle following its retirement in the late 50s. It was broken into, set afire, and burned to the waterline. Sadly there wasn’t anything left to fix.
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Nathan W.L. Boyle
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BGSU '97
What kind of an idiot does it take to tow a flat-bottom, shallow-draft vessel across Lake Erie in March? Those boats were small enough to lift with a light duty crane and place safely on a larger vessel or barge for transport.
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
Could not agree more. The boat was probably designed for waters which get maximum waves of 5 inches. The thing is hardley a sea worthy vessel.
I read the article and the boat was being towed all the way from Cleveland to Port Clinton! It sank just 9 mi. into the 65 mi. trip. Swells of 3 to 5 feet were forecasted!!! It's hard to figure that a towing company, which knows about boats (presumably), would agree to tow that type of vessel in the forecasted water conditions. I believe the Great Lakes ran on the Cuyahoga river in Cleveland for a number of years as the Holy Mosses Water Taxi.
As homer would say..dout!!
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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!
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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!
So this boat was the type used on the Paddlewheel Excursions cruise? Not the type that used to operate as a ferry from Sandusky to CP, I presume. Why would CP sell it in the first place? Just age?
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
So paddlewheel Excursions can look more like Pontoon Boat Excursions :)
Yeah, my guess would be age and maintenance.
Yeah, my guess would be age and maintenance.
I believe the change in the Paddlewheel boats had something to do with getting them in and out of the water - which had something do with the installation of Chaos ... or something like that :)
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VirtualMidway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini on 4/4/2001. ***
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VirtualMidway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini on 4/4/2001. ***
Can someone post a URL to the story? I'd like to read it for myself, so I can marvel at their stupidity.
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
A truly sad day for fans of the glorious old Western Cruise.
As to the switch to the smaller boats, I'm sure part of it was due to the fact that it took a long time to fill the old boats once the ride had become Paddlewheel Excursions. Too big a boat for a much shorter ride.
Also, there were rumors a few years back, when Cedar Point first announced they were filling some of the lagoons (in preparation for Mantis: TCFKAB), of them putting "something" on the big island which might require "passenger bridges" over the lagoons...the old boats were too tall to effectively build a footbridge that would pass over them.
Of course, we all know now what ended up on the big island.
So long, Great Lakes. We'll miss you. Are the South Shore (?), the Ogontz, and the Winnebago still around anywhere?
As to the switch to the smaller boats, I'm sure part of it was due to the fact that it took a long time to fill the old boats once the ride had become Paddlewheel Excursions. Too big a boat for a much shorter ride.
Also, there were rumors a few years back, when Cedar Point first announced they were filling some of the lagoons (in preparation for Mantis: TCFKAB), of them putting "something" on the big island which might require "passenger bridges" over the lagoons...the old boats were too tall to effectively build a footbridge that would pass over them.
Of course, we all know now what ended up on the big island.
So long, Great Lakes. We'll miss you. Are the South Shore (?), the Ogontz, and the Winnebago still around anywhere?
"The thing is hardley a sea worthy vessel."
Actually Joe E., you're wrong.
Growing up in Sandusky, I can tell you there were 8 Western Cruise boats up to 1986.
When the ride became "politically correct" in 1987 and lost the Native American focus, the fleet was reduced to five boats: (Great Lakes, Catawba, Black Channel, Ogontz & Winnebago).
It was in 1987, a Sandusky salvage company purchased one of the three vessels the park no longer wanted. The company REMOVED the roof and top of the boat (pilot house, smoke stacks, decorations), the paddle wheel and ALL the seats.
They left only the floor and the Captain's helm. In the rear, they added a crane, and used the boat ON SANDUSKY BAY and LAKE ERIE as a barge for the seasonal positioning of bouys and also for dredging assistance and light towing.
For years, the barge would sometimes tie up in the Cedar Point marina. I saw it often near our boat slip growing up. (Once, one of the workmen allowed us to fish off of it).
In fact, the current owner of the former Paddlewheeler named "Ogontz", dove the craft ACROSS SANDUSKY BAY in March of 1997 and down the Fremont River to it's new dock at the Tacklebox Camp Ground.
So it is not too strange the "Great Lakes" was out in open waters in April. The Toledo Blade story says the tug boat captain never lost a vessel in his 18 years as a professional, until this week. I am sure he knew what he was doing.
In college, my brother was a "Paddlewheel Captain." The ride operators C.P. selects for the boat ride are some of the most skilled in the park at guest relations since they have a guest's attention for 10 minutes at a time (if not longer when a boat breaks down). If you cannot memorize the spiel/jokes in 2 days, the park will find another ride op. to replace you. It was a "status symbol" of sorts to work on the ride. The park trusted you with its guests and equipment. Most rides are locked to a track... these boats are free from rails and a "start button."
As for the boats being,"flat-bottom, shallow-draft vessel," that is not really the case.
Each hull held 150 galllons of gas. Most cars hold 10 to 15 gallons. You can imagine the size of the fuel tank hiding under your feet. Growing up with boats, my older brother was TERRIFIED a smoker's cigarette was going to ignite some marine fumes from the huge tank and lead to an explosion. The engine compartment was large and deep under the seats. There was a height clearence of almost 5 feet. Most of this was submerged under water.
Plus, there is a very small keel under the boat that the park added in later years. Pictures my brother took in the winter while the boats rested in dry dock in the Hotel Breakers parking lot show keels.
Try and follow this link for more info on the loss of the "GREAT LAKES":
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=TO&Dato=20010404&Kategori=NEWS17&Lopenr=104040019&Ref=AR
*** This post was edited by Guard Chair 4 on 4/5/2001. ***
Actually Joe E., you're wrong.
Growing up in Sandusky, I can tell you there were 8 Western Cruise boats up to 1986.
When the ride became "politically correct" in 1987 and lost the Native American focus, the fleet was reduced to five boats: (Great Lakes, Catawba, Black Channel, Ogontz & Winnebago).
It was in 1987, a Sandusky salvage company purchased one of the three vessels the park no longer wanted. The company REMOVED the roof and top of the boat (pilot house, smoke stacks, decorations), the paddle wheel and ALL the seats.
They left only the floor and the Captain's helm. In the rear, they added a crane, and used the boat ON SANDUSKY BAY and LAKE ERIE as a barge for the seasonal positioning of bouys and also for dredging assistance and light towing.
For years, the barge would sometimes tie up in the Cedar Point marina. I saw it often near our boat slip growing up. (Once, one of the workmen allowed us to fish off of it).
In fact, the current owner of the former Paddlewheeler named "Ogontz", dove the craft ACROSS SANDUSKY BAY in March of 1997 and down the Fremont River to it's new dock at the Tacklebox Camp Ground.
So it is not too strange the "Great Lakes" was out in open waters in April. The Toledo Blade story says the tug boat captain never lost a vessel in his 18 years as a professional, until this week. I am sure he knew what he was doing.
In college, my brother was a "Paddlewheel Captain." The ride operators C.P. selects for the boat ride are some of the most skilled in the park at guest relations since they have a guest's attention for 10 minutes at a time (if not longer when a boat breaks down). If you cannot memorize the spiel/jokes in 2 days, the park will find another ride op. to replace you. It was a "status symbol" of sorts to work on the ride. The park trusted you with its guests and equipment. Most rides are locked to a track... these boats are free from rails and a "start button."
As for the boats being,"flat-bottom, shallow-draft vessel," that is not really the case.
Each hull held 150 galllons of gas. Most cars hold 10 to 15 gallons. You can imagine the size of the fuel tank hiding under your feet. Growing up with boats, my older brother was TERRIFIED a smoker's cigarette was going to ignite some marine fumes from the huge tank and lead to an explosion. The engine compartment was large and deep under the seats. There was a height clearence of almost 5 feet. Most of this was submerged under water.
Plus, there is a very small keel under the boat that the park added in later years. Pictures my brother took in the winter while the boats rested in dry dock in the Hotel Breakers parking lot show keels.
Try and follow this link for more info on the loss of the "GREAT LAKES":
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=TO&Dato=20010404&Kategori=NEWS17&Lopenr=104040019&Ref=AR
*** This post was edited by Guard Chair 4 on 4/5/2001. ***
Actually, I know Dave has mentioned it before, but the newer boats are easier to get out and under something when some midway were changed... or something like that. Dave? What the hell am I talking about?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 50
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 50
Well, I can't remember eight boats but I do remember six...click on info to see photo of Captain Tim.
We had a 15 minute spiel...didn't have to "learn" in two days or transfer...Did have an unbelievable amount of fun being a "Captain"
When did CP add TWO people to the boats? One for driving/one for the spiel?
I have threatened on this board before...someday I'll type out the spiel..yes I can still remember it!
For CLEVELANDERS..The "Holy Moses Water Taxi" operating in the Flats, shuttling patrons from one side of the river to the other has the old Western Cruise boats..at least two....
If you live on the westside or are just bored to tears and don't have a life and want to see one of these boats in dry dock...drive down to the Edgewater Park Marina right off the West Shoreway..there you will see one of the boats.
As for the boats "shrinking"...Jeff I think you are close...It was a combination of things...hard to manuever the large boats aroound the smaller island, crowd size, and the changing of the boat ramp...the boat ramp used to be in the area of Chaos today. *** This post was edited by Old Timer Tim on 4/5/2001. ***
We had a 15 minute spiel...didn't have to "learn" in two days or transfer...Did have an unbelievable amount of fun being a "Captain"
When did CP add TWO people to the boats? One for driving/one for the spiel?
I have threatened on this board before...someday I'll type out the spiel..yes I can still remember it!
For CLEVELANDERS..The "Holy Moses Water Taxi" operating in the Flats, shuttling patrons from one side of the river to the other has the old Western Cruise boats..at least two....
If you live on the westside or are just bored to tears and don't have a life and want to see one of these boats in dry dock...drive down to the Edgewater Park Marina right off the West Shoreway..there you will see one of the boats.
As for the boats "shrinking"...Jeff I think you are close...It was a combination of things...hard to manuever the large boats aroound the smaller island, crowd size, and the changing of the boat ramp...the boat ramp used to be in the area of Chaos today. *** This post was edited by Old Timer Tim on 4/5/2001. ***
Actually it wasn't a ramp...it was a crane for pulling the boats out, right where Chaos is now. The boats could, as nearly as I can tell, be lifted with the crane, loaded onto a trailer, and be pulled straight from the crane, across the midway, through the (still in place) double gate in the fence, right into the Breakers parking lot with no obstructions.
Now it appears that the boats are taken in and out with a ramp over near Mantis:TCFKAB. I'm not positive, but I think there may be overhead obstructions between there and the nearest park gate large enough to take a boat out. The boat hoist is completely gone now (for a while it was stored in the boneyard, but I suspect that they got rid of it when the boneyard moved) so now the boats can't be picked up to load them onto the trailers.
I'm guessing that was at least part of the reason for the change.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Now it appears that the boats are taken in and out with a ramp over near Mantis:TCFKAB. I'm not positive, but I think there may be overhead obstructions between there and the nearest park gate large enough to take a boat out. The boat hoist is completely gone now (for a while it was stored in the boneyard, but I suspect that they got rid of it when the boneyard moved) so now the boats can't be picked up to load them onto the trailers.
I'm guessing that was at least part of the reason for the change.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Lots of boats have big gasoline tanks, I have a 70 gallon tank on mine. Perfectly safe if the tank and related plumbing is kept in good condition, which I'm sure CP did. The old Western Cruise boats also had something which every boat should have, and that's a fume sniffer for the bilge. It sets off an alarm and a warning indicator for the Captian if dangerous fume concentrations developed in the bilge. I was very grateful to have one on my boat a couple years ago. The mechanics worked on the cylinder head and didn't connect the fuel line properly. Fuel was dripping from the line onto the engine. The sniffer set off the alarm and saved the day, which could have ended in disaster.
As for the boats being,"flat-bottom, shallow-draft vessel," that is not really the case.
They had the most gentle of vee shapes, very
nearly flat. Designed for calm water use, like
a lagoon, or slow river.
Each hull held 150 galllons of gas.
I read the article. It states that the hull had no oil or gas to leak into the lake. This means they were not traveling in ballast. At the very least, they should have pumped 150 gallons of water into the fuel tanks, which at 8lb/gal would have given them 1200lb of ballast displacement. It might not have rolled over had that been done.
Of course, this whole thing could have been avoided altogether if he had shipped it by highway. He was too cheap to spend the extra $600.00, so now his investment is in 40 feet of water.
My orginal opinion still stands. They were idiots.
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
They had the most gentle of vee shapes, very
nearly flat. Designed for calm water use, like
a lagoon, or slow river.
Each hull held 150 galllons of gas.
I read the article. It states that the hull had no oil or gas to leak into the lake. This means they were not traveling in ballast. At the very least, they should have pumped 150 gallons of water into the fuel tanks, which at 8lb/gal would have given them 1200lb of ballast displacement. It might not have rolled over had that been done.
Of course, this whole thing could have been avoided altogether if he had shipped it by highway. He was too cheap to spend the extra $600.00, so now his investment is in 40 feet of water.
My orginal opinion still stands. They were idiots.
Tim Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
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