Amanda Knapp
Paddle wheels, or water wheels, are a historic type of boat propulsion. They are engine-driven turning mechanisms that propel boats through the water. Paddle wheels are scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, attached around the outer edge of a wheel. Paddle steamers, or steamboats, are powered by a steam engine driving paddle wheels. In the early 19th century, paddle wheels were the predominant way of propulsion for steam-powered boats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Paddle wheel, paddle steamer, or waterwheel |
| Propulsion | Engine-driven, turning mechanism |
| Power | Steam engine |
| Paddle shape | Scoop-shaped |
| Paddle attachment | Around the outer edge of the wheel's circle |
| Paddle connection | Connects to a spoke, meeting at a round hub section in the centre |
| Manoeuvrability | Acute |
| Paddle position | Ideally, paddles remain vertical while under water |
| Functionality | Some modern boats have non-functional, decorative paddlewheels |
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What You'll Learn
- Paddle wheel boats are an old-fashioned type of boat propeller, usually used on steamboats
- A jet of water is directed onto the paddles of the water wheel, causing them to turn
- Recessed or inboard paddle wheel boats were designed to navigate narrow and snag-infested backwaters
- Overshot and pitchback water wheels are suitable for small streams with a height difference of more than 2 metres
- The first mention of paddle wheels as a means of propulsion comes from the 4th–5th century military treatise De Rebus Bellicis
Paddle wheel boats are an old-fashioned type of boat propeller, usually used on steamboats
Paddle wheels have scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle. Each bucket, or scoop, connects to a spoke; the spokes all meet at a round hub section in the centre of the paddle wheel. Paddle wheels are designed to be spun at high speeds to provide acute manoeuvrability.
There are two types of paddle wheel steamers: the sternwheeler, with a single paddle wheel on the rear, and the sidewheeler, with a wheel on each side. In the early 19th century, paddle wheels were the predominant way of propulsion for steam-powered boats. However, in the late 19th century, paddle propulsion was largely superseded by the screw propeller and other marine propulsion systems that have a higher efficiency, especially in rough or open water. Paddle wheels continue to be used by some small, pedal-powered paddle boats and by some ships that operate tourist voyages.
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A jet of water is directed onto the paddles of the water wheel, causing them to turn
Paddle wheels are a historic part of the evolution of boats and water transportation. They were vital in the development of trade and tourism on the Mississippi River. Paddle wheels are engine-driven turning mechanisms that propel a boat, usually a steamboat. Scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, are attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle. Each bucket, or scoop, connects to a spoke; the spokes all meet at a round hub section in the centre of the paddle wheel.
There are two types of paddle wheel steamers: the sternwheeler with a single paddle wheel on the rear, and sidewheelers that have a wheel on each side. Paddle wheel boats were superseded by screw propellers and other marine propulsion systems that have a higher efficiency, especially in rough or open water. However, paddle wheels continue to be used by small, pedal-powered paddle boats and by some ships that operate tourist voyages.
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Recessed or inboard paddle wheel boats were designed to navigate narrow and snag-infested backwaters
Paddle wheels are an engine-driven, turning mechanism that propels a boat, usually a steamboat. Scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, are attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle. Each bucket, or scoop, connects to a spoke; the spokes all meet at a round hub section in the centre of the paddle wheel. Paddle wheels were the predominant way of propulsion for steam-powered boats in the early 19th century. However, in the late 19th century, paddle propulsion was largely superseded by the screw propeller and other marine propulsion systems that have a higher efficiency, especially in rough or open water. Paddle wheels continue to be used by small, pedal-powered paddle boats and by some ships that operate tourist voyages.
There are two types of paddle wheel steamers: the sternwheeler with a single paddle wheel on the rear, and sidewheelers that have a wheel on each side. Overnight passenger cruise ships in America now are solely built on the sternwheeler model, although there are still functioning sidewheelers around the world.
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Overshot and pitchback water wheels are suitable for small streams with a height difference of more than 2 metres
Paddle wheels are engine-driven turning mechanisms that propel boats, usually steamboats. They are scoop-shaped paddles or buckets attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle.
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The first mention of paddle wheels as a means of propulsion comes from the 4th–5th century military treatise De Rebus Bellicis
Paddle wheels, also known as water wheels, are an engine-driven turning mechanism that propels a boat. Scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, are attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle. Each bucket, or scoop, connects to a spoke; the spokes all meet at a round hub section in the centre of the paddle wheel.
The first mention of paddle wheels as a means of propulsion comes from the 4th–5th century military treatise *De Rebus Bellicis*. In antiquity, paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, whereby the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans. Paddle wheels were the predominant way of propulsion for steam-powered boats in the early 19th century. There are two types of paddle wheel steamers: the sternwheeler with a single paddle wheel on the rear, and sidewheelers that have a wheel on each side.
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Frequently asked questions
A water wheel boat is a boat that is propelled by a paddle wheel. Paddle wheels are engine-driven turning mechanisms that propel boats through the water. They are also known as water wheels.
Paddle wheels are attached to a steam engine that drives the wheel to propel the boat through the water. The wheel is made up of scoop-shaped paddles, or buckets, that are attached around the outer edge of the wheel's circle. Each bucket, or scoop, connects to a spoke; the spokes all meet at a round hub section in the centre of the paddle wheel.
There are two types of paddle wheel steamers: the sternwheeler with a single paddle wheel on the rear, and sidewheelers that have a wheel on each side.
