Spark burns and sinks!

[Don from NB]

I'm speechless after visiting my favorite site to follow the progress of Spark, truly one of the most innovative projects in years. A quote from the site: http://qei.sitekit.net/spark.html

Latest News - 12th July 2004

"An accident with a leaking can of petrol caused a fire on board Spark last week. She burned to the waterline and sank within an hour. No-one was injured.

The loss has caused a serious interruption to the development work on Spark's innovative Skye Wing™ rig and Sail Electric™ auxiliary drive system, details of which can be discovered by following the links."

Please join me in sending regrets and encouragement to these talented thinkers, designers and builders. Don Hemmings
http://qei.sitekit.net/guestbook.html

[Dave Fleming]

This has got to be a depressing moment for those folks.

Hopefully like the Phoenix, the Spark will arise from the ashes in better form, sigh.

[ 07-16-2004, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Paul Pless]

damn

[Venchka]

There aren't any words. Damn.

Petrol on an electric drive boat? Who'd a thunk it.

Wayne

[imported_Steven Bauer]

Holy crap! I'm in shock. Such beauty gone. :(

Steven

[Steve McMahon]

:(
Sad indeed. The problem with a lot of the electric boat designs is that they need a portable gas generator to charge the batteries at least some of the time. Hopefully they will continue their work.

[Garrett Lowell]

Sorry to hear it. I hope they get back on the horse.

[MarkC]

Again Damn!

I wish I could send some energy to make building the Spark 2.

[Dave R]

Wow! A sad day.

[MJC]

Like many others here, I have been following this project very closely. I'm depressed. My heart goes out to the builders. I hope Spark was insured and that QEI has sufficient funding to build Spark II.

[htom]

:(

Such a beauty, gone. I hope they'll rebuild her.

[Chadd Hamilton]

Yeah, I hate to hear that. That was such a wonderful boat.

Chadd

[nedL]

:( :( Not much that hasn't already been said. :( :(

[brian.cunningham]

:(
Ironic, an eletric drive boat burned to the ground by a gasoline. :(

[Paul Pless]

Ironic indeed. the website does mention the use of a gasoline generator to charge the batteries. To continue the irony theme, do you think perhaps Spark was a poor choice for her name.

She was a gorgeous boat. Twas a shame. Hopefully they will rebuild her.

[SC-Lion]

What a shame! My heart goes out to the builders.

-Gary

[Corso]

:eek: :mad: :( :(
Maybe calling the next one Electra would be better choice... sigh, i hope they will rebuild it

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Corso:
:eek: :mad: :( :(
Maybe calling the next one Electra would be better choice... sigh, i hope they will rebuild itCalling the next one diesel powered.

More irony. Or just plain bad luck.

There are nice air-cooled diesel gen sets. For that matter, if the electric propusion system couldn't live on wind/solar/shore power alone...Spark would still be sailing if she had a conventional diesel power plant.

Sometimes, you can be too clever.

Wayne
Not clever at all in the Swamp. :D

[ 07-16-2004, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[PeterSibley]

Really really sad a beautiful boat !!!