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 Blog Entries
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 Sir William Hamilton Introduction Sir William Hamilton (better known as Billy) created the first pioneered Jet boat. He became one of New Zealand’s greatest engineers. Early Life Hamilton lived with his family on an isolated sheep station. He was a natural swimmer, He taught himself how to swim and dive. Hamilton made a raft out of old drums and timber. He was warned of the dangers of rafting in deep water. Later Inventions Hamilton later he built a canoe making the sails from his mother’s sewing machine. But this was heavy so he built another one out of bamboo and canvas. When it got caught in a storm he learnt how to repair and patch it up. He also built a canoe trailer from old bicycle wheels, a wooden frame and straps from a horse harness and a dog collar! Jet Boat Hamilton’s inventive mind never stopped working when he got bored of pulling the raft upstream he decided to make something that could go up and down the river at speed (that is how he got the idea of a boat attached to a jet engine.) Later Life By 1953 Bill had made jet boat and a range of bulldozers and loaders. He was one of New Zealanders greatest engineers. By Joshua Brown Article posted May 24, 2012 at 05:37 PM • comment • Reads 95 • see all articles |
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