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... Read the original letter here
Associated topics
Donald Vivian Hotchkiss, Marine Architect David Wheeler 14/08/2010
..Home made Hotchkiss cone. Ian Cross S.B.A 14/01/2010
..wave impeller Edward R Buckby 27/05/2008
..Hotchkiss Cone Impeller Graham John 15/07/2007
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Rowan watson
14/8/2010
I used to have one that was fitted in a 40' narrowboat that worked on the Fens somewhere cutting reeds.
Unfortunately it was totally worn out and when I started using it some very vital parts were destroyed rendering it unuseable. I removed it and donated it to the British museum where I think it still is, in a cellar. That was about 15 years ago. The remains of the boat is still in Oxford I think. it was called Acme when I owned it. For the brief time That it was under power it seemed to work well.
Peter Robinson
16/7/2010
As a schoolboy and then a university student I used to drive the Avon Vanity between Tuckton and Mudeford in the summer holidays in the late '50s and early '60s. The Hotchkiss Cone was fine for going forward though a little less responsive to the rudder than the other, more conventionally propelled, boats in the United Motor Boats fleet. In reverse it was rather poor and I could never emulate the other boats' trick of comimg in at high speed then using reverse to stop abruptly. Mind you that saved me the embarrassment of having the prop shear pin go at the crucial moment as happened once to one of the other drivers while I was there.
Coincidentally, 50 years on I have just recently found out that the Vanity is now operating on the Avon near Bath. I should like to track it down and ride it again for old times' sake.
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!
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