Donald Vivian Hotchkiss, Marine Architect
You have mentioned help between members and I have on several occasions contacted members through the List - extremely useful - where particular interests have been recorded which seem to match my enquiry. One member Chris Handley has been really generous in sharing with me his researches on the Lake Geneva steamers. They are the two great strengths of the Society for the likes of me: the publications, and the willing exchange of information by way of direct contact. So, can I ask for information through Soundings because I cannot find any particular member through the List. My pet project is the life and work of Donald Vivian Hotchkiss, a marine architect who worked for the Admiralty in WW1 and I believe in WW11, and in between time designed built and sold the Hotchkiss Cone and the Hotchkiss Wave Impeller. He worked in the Poole area of Dorset so he was a local man. Some members may have come across the Cone or just possibly the man, although he died in 1960. If anyone has any experience of the Cone then I would like to hear from him or her. It doesn't matter how unimportant the information may seem. It all helps. Someone may well have experienced the system abroad. Or have heard about its use in Africa and the Far East.
From David Wheeler
Add your comments
Please note: this is not an email facility, all comments are placed on
this page and on our Forum
|
Comment on this
Previous comments
Paul Callingham
24/7/2006
I recently purchased an Andrew 1936 Slipper Launch with the Hotchkiss Cone propeller system, still in situ and in working order. The boat came with a copy of the 12th edition of the Motor Boat Manual, which provides a 2 page explanation on the unit. If you require further details, then email me on paul@callingham.net
John Edwards
22/2/2006
There is a short account of the Hotchkiss Cone in the 1963 Motor Boat & Yachting Manual. Mail me at jkejke@ntlworld.com with your email and I will scan and send it to you.
Slightly OT, I have been scattering this mail about and send a copy to you for interest:-
I mail out of the blue to tell you about an Uffa Fox air droppable lifeboat fitted with Hotchkiss electric water jet propulsion, as well as a conventional propeller, lying in Denett's Yard at Penton Hook. I found this while looking for a slipper launch. I found surprisingly little rot in the hull and would love to restore it but am too old. I therefore pass the details to you as one of your members might be interested and the boat is much too interesting to be broken up. If anyone would like more details they can email me at jkejke@ntlworld.com or telephone 01462 646494. I have no connection with the boat or its owner or Dennett's yard.
Regards
John Edwards
mark
18/12/2005
There's an interesting article in a post war copy of 'The MOTOR BOAT and YACHTING MANUAL'I have. Not sure of the year as that page is missing.
r
8/12/2005
there is some old Pathe Film footage available for free download at https://www.britishpathe.com
If you search for "christchurch" under the search function.
the sequences is titled "
THE IMPELLER (1:19:18:00 - 1:20:37:00) 22/12/1932"
It shows a demonstration of one and a boat in christchurch harbour using one.(similar design to the Avon Vanity)
r
3/12/2005
I believe they were fitted to a number of passenger launches operating from the river avon in christchurch, including one called the Avon Vanity which was still operating into the 1980's but has since been converted to a different drive mechanism and sold off.
roger randall
10/9/2005
i am trying to find some details re the hotckiss cone propellor to enable me to construct a system, approx 1m dia x 2m beam. thanks.
Derek J Boyce
22/5/2005
info@mennabroom.co.uk
Derek J Boyce
22/5/2005
I used to make them at F C Mitchells In Parkstone Poole!
|
