A Mini-Steamboat Ride!

In Cape Town Harbour there is a waterfront area called the Victoria And Alfred Waterfront where the charter boats dock. There you can catch the ferry to Robben Island, charter a yacht, go on a sun downer trip to Clifton Bay, dine on a floating restaurant or just relax on a harbour cruise.

When our eldest grandson, Matthew, was five years old we took him on a harbour cruise in a most unusual boat! It was small and had a steam engine and I had seen it chugging along when visiting the waterfront. I thought it would be a great idea to take Matt for a ride on it (and me as well)!

The boat could accommodate about ten persons and at the appointed time we boarded and soon were chugging around the docks. I’m not sure but I think the operator burned solid paraffin blocks in its tiny furnace that heated the tank’s water to boiling point thus forcing steam into the engine’s piston.

The weather was kind to us and there was no wind - that was very unusual. Matt was so excited and enjoyed every minute (and so did I)!

Credit: My own blog and photos.