Washington Winch Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The Washington winch is the only steam-powered engine of its kind in Australia
The Washington Winch
The difficulty level reflects the remoteness of the location. Although a 4WD is recommended, it might be possible on a dry day in a 2WD with reasonable ground clearance.
The Washington winch is the only steam-powered engine of its kind in Australia with engine, spars and the cables still rigged for work. Built by the Washington Iron Works Company in Seattle, U.S.A., it was able to haul big logs up steep slopes. On this site it was used to lift logs off the ground, carrying them to the road and loading onto trucks.
Some of its features are unique to Washington Iron Works engines.
The 11 inch (25cm.) bore cylinders with a 14 inch (36cm.) stroke are on either side of the boiler, powering three cable drums mounted at one end of the wooden frame.
The squat, upright boiler design was more commonly used for smaller, portable engines, and the firebox was unusually large. Mounted on a heavy, log skid frame, it could be towed to new sites, after dismantling the shed over the engine.
These winches revolutionised steam logging, reaching their heyday in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Unlike self-propelling steam engines, such as trains, few steam-powered winches survive.
To preserve the winches historic value, the stream which fed the boiler has been diverted to reduce corrosion, and the shed has been reconstructed using original fixtures such as hinges wherever possible.
The Washington Winch was one of two steam winches imported in the 1920’s, and used by the Kauri Timber Company in Western Australia. Both were later bought by the Forests Commission of Victoria for salvaging timber after the 1939 ‘Black Friday’ fires. In 1959, this winch was bought by Jack Ezard on the recommendation of his bush boss, George O’Byrne, who had helped set it up in Western Australia, and restored it to working order for its last season here in 1960-61.
This winch is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, and managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Please treat this winch and the surrounds with the respect they deserve.
Due to the remoteness of this cache - a generous hint is provided. Please ensure the cache is well hidden when replaced.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jura nccebnpurq sebz gur ebnq ybbx ba gur yrsg unaq fvqr arne gur sebag bs gur jvapu. Cyrnfr ercynpr pnpur bhg bs fvtug.
Treasures
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