Parker Steam Engines

[Richard Flanders]

Here's a few pics of the engines on a floating bucket line dredge in Flat, Alaska. Took these on my July 4 trip there this summer. This place is one of the very best places in Alaska to see incredible "rust". This dredge was shut down in 1962 with the idea of leaving it easy to get going again. The large engine is complete and could likely be gotten going in a few hours. I think the smaller engine drives a compressor used to air start the larger engine. This is one of the best preserved dredges in Alaska. The best preserved unit is 3 miles upriver from this one and, having been in operation until just a few years ago, is ready to go with the turn of a single key.