Approaching, one can't help but notice the the 'sonic arsenal' just a ropes' pull away from the helmsman. The three individual whistles at left share a manifold and are voiced to give the deep moan that is characteristic of large steamboats. Behind that is a steam siren, a three chime whistle, and a single chime whistle.

The steam siren is beautiful in anodized aluminum with a brass bell. This example (and many others on other boats in attendance) was made by Jerry in his shop. If one controls the steam valve carefully a huge range of LOUD effects can be made.

The watertube boiler can be fired with wood, diesel, or both, a wood fire serving to instantly relight the diesel if need be. The gauge in the center is the pressure gauge with an indicator set at the safety valve pressure (225psi).

The engine, like the majority of the boat, was built by Jerry. The engine is a steeple-compound type of his own design. It ran smooth all day with no complaints.

In this side view the throttle valve is at upper right and the reversing control is just below it. On the left are the cylinder drain valves all neatly piped into a brass 'catch sleeve'.

Leaving the dock we enter the main channel and take a turn around the swingbridge. Unfortunately we're not tall enough to stop traffic and get the bridge tender to demonstrate the operation of the bridge for us!

Most of the boats were headed off to a picnic in Terminus but getting a late start left us without much traffic to photograph. We did pace this interesting stern wheeler for a while. You can't really make it out in the picture but the fuel supply consisted of some very large sections of tree limbs. Either they have a large fire box or plan on some splitting while underway. In the lower right notice the knot meter on the boiler backhead: 7.25kts! (8.3mph). Top speed is said to be close to 12kts with no passengers and minimal fuel.

Here the fireman prepares to stoke the boiler with more wood. We went through at least five boxes of wood during the trip. Once empty the boxes were carved up and became fuel themselves.

After going our own way for a while we met up with the boats returning from the picnic. You'd think I'd have lots of 'on the water' shots of other boats. I would have except I was offered the chance to take the helm, an opportunity I did not want to pass up. After a little acclimation it was really easy to keep the boat straight, the boiler topped off, and the pressure even. I could easily get used to this! Once back at the dock we get a chance to see other boats returning. Here's one:

And another:

Leading to the chance to check out the other boats. I counted at least two dozen boats in attendance!

Another angle on the 'About Time':

A lovely boat with a small enclosed cabin at the stern:

Another take on the powerplant:

Here's a two cylinder compound engine setup:

After the trip there was talk to swap, miscellaneous treasures for barter and for sale, and some other steam powered vehicles in attendance. Here's an interesting steam car:

It seems that the car has had several owners during it's lifetime and I think at least four of the owners were present at the meet, each sharing the modifications and repairs that he had made during his tenure...

And in the back of a pickup truck was this gorgeous model of a Case Steam Tractor. If it wasn't in the bed of a truck you'd be hard pressed to tell it wasn't the real (full-size) thing!

So, that was my trip to the Sacramento Delta Steamboat Regatta. I'd heard about it for many years and am happy that I finally got a chance to attend!