Vessel Information

• Gross Tonnage 80 tons
• Register Tonnage 53 tons
• Waterline Length 100.2 ft
• Waterline Breadth 16 ft
• Propulsion Side Paddles
• Speed 10.5 knots
• Passengers 150
• Crew 6

Yarrow Water Tube Boiler

• Working pressure 160psi
• Max. evaporation rate 8000 Ib/hr
• Grate area 14 sq ft
• Water tubes 1 1/4 dia x 616
• Coal consumption 4 cwt/hr

Waimarie's original boiler was removed when she was salvaged in 1993. Her new boiler is a replica of the original.

The original boiler was built at the shipyard of Yarrow & Co. at Poplar, London in 1899. This type of boiler was made for use in torpedo boats capable of reaching speeds of 32 knots and the beauty of it is the speed of raising steam from cold. The boiler could be up to pressure in an hour. These were the first successful water-tube boilers used in naval vessels.

The replica boiler in restored Waimarie differs from the original only in that the steam drum ends are welded; on the original the steam drums ends were riveted. The original boiler was re-tubed in 1918 and 1936.

The replica boiler was lifted into Waimarie on 19 May 1999.

On the first firing of restored Waimarie's boiler, steam was raised from cold to 160 psi in 55 minutes.

Engines

After 41 years buried in the mud of the Whanganui River, Waimarie's engines were pulled out, reconditioned and re-used in the newly restored vessel.

Engine details

• Makers Yarrow & Co, Poplar, London, 1889
• Engines Two single-cylinder, double acting, non-condensing, inclined horizontal with Gooch valve gear
• Bore & stroke 9" x 24" - 86 IHP
• Drive Direct to paddleshaft
• Cruising revs 42rpm
• Cruising speed 6-7 knots
• Max rpm - 70
• Max speed 11 knots

Waimarie's engines were reconditioned in Wanganui and tested on 10 May 1999.
On 20 December 1999 PS Waimarie and her machinery were put to the test with river trials before resuming service on 1 January 2000.