jsphr
What about VIC 96 and Vic 56?
Both are afloat and seaworthy with VIC 56 very original and VIC 96 also very original but recently restored and just returned by sea and the Crinan and Caledonian canals to Chatham from Maryport in Cumbria. She was also at the Thames Festival over last weekend (12th sept 09).
Although they do not claim to be true 'puffers' they were built as VICs as part of the same production by small yards during the war. They are 85 feet long against the smaller 66 ft of VIC 32 . Interestingly VIC 96 was built at the same yard, Dunstans of Thorne near the Humber (in England), as VIC 32. Dan McDonald in 'Clyde Puffer' says 'Glencloy', built in 1930, was 84 ft long and quite similar apart from the fo'cstle and funnel position (although a picture in his book shows her fitted with wheelhouse forward of the funnel while still steam powered). 'Glencloy' had a Cochrane boiler like VIC 96 and her later wheelhouse is very like hers too (most Vics got covered wheelhouses after the war).
So maybe the larger VICs were also derived from prewar designs and so could claim to be 'Clyde Puffers' after all, despite their straight frame construction? Try Googling VIC 96, VIC 56, and look for other sites showing peoples pictures of VIC 96 coming home.
Both are afloat and seaworthy with VIC 56 very original and VIC 96 also very original but recently restored and just returned by sea and the Crinan and Caledonian canals to Chatham from Maryport in Cumbria. She was also at the Thames Festival over last weekend (12th sept 09).
Although they do not claim to be true 'puffers' they were built as VICs as part of the same production by small yards during the war. They are 85 feet long against the smaller 66 ft of VIC 32 . Interestingly VIC 96 was built at the same yard, Dunstans of Thorne near the Humber (in England), as VIC 32. Dan McDonald in 'Clyde Puffer' says 'Glencloy', built in 1930, was 84 ft long and quite similar apart from the fo'cstle and funnel position (although a picture in his book shows her fitted with wheelhouse forward of the funnel while still steam powered). 'Glencloy' had a Cochrane boiler like VIC 96 and her later wheelhouse is very like hers too (most Vics got covered wheelhouses after the war).
So maybe the larger VICs were also derived from prewar designs and so could claim to be 'Clyde Puffers' after all, despite their straight frame construction? Try Googling VIC 96, VIC 56, and look for other sites showing peoples pictures of VIC 96 coming home.