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.

[edgarspencer]

To give an example of the sizes of antique machinery at the 'other' end of the spectrum, here's an 1875 Edward S Clark steam launch engine made in Boston. This engine would have comfortably pushed a launch of 25 to 30 feet, and swing a prop around 16". When you consider the detail that gunsmiths of the same period were required to achieve, this is crude by comparison, but considered by steam nuts, not unlike myself, to be a real find. It's about 2' feet tall and one of the few pieces of my steam stuff my wife lets me keep indoors, occupying a window seat in the den. I took this about 10:30 last night hence the lousy lighting.

[Old and Reliable]

IMO- this has been the most interesting thread, and with a series of great photos with details about something than is not 100% a Parker shotgun. I think I am on safe ground when I say that the majority of the PGCA membership loves mechanical devices of all types, their history.

Rich- you are 100% right about the square cut (or punched) holes in the treads and stress- a circle or arc distributes stress- segue to early LC Smiths for an example- first series Syracuse guns had a rectangular with 90% corners lug that mated into the receiver slot- later they radiused the front corners to relieve stress--

Old timers trick in welding up a crack or fracture-- from each end of the crack- move about 1/4" back and drill a small pilot hole through the metal- skip and back-step the weld, and weld up the holes last-plus proper pre-heat and post-weld heat wrap to slow down the air cooling--

I think we all owe these PGCA brothers a big stand up round of either: (a) applause, or better yet (2) drinks of their choice for this great thread--and it might lead into a future article for PP- Parker & Snow vises, Parker steam engines-- etc!!

[edgarspencer]

Richard, In your travels around AK, did you ever see this?
My son took this on one of his many trips to Attu.

[Old and Reliable]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

Richard, In your travels around AK, did you ever see this?
My son took this on one of his many trips to Attu.

-- a some form of anti-aircraft gun-- my working knowledge of military weapons goes to the browning MG .50 cal and stops there- WW2 vintage??

[edgarspencer]

Yes, Japanese AA. The entire Island is covered with planes, UXBs, piles of ammo, and general military debris. Attu was one of the biggest Pacific battles. There are over 5000 Japanese graves, and since the CG closed it's Loran station there last year, there are virtually no residents left on the island. The Japanese Gov't came there last year and erected a memorial.
The guys at the Loran station picked up small bits and set up a mini museum, only seen by the C130 crews that came to supply the men. Most of the pics he sent me are too big to post, and I'm too stupid to figure out how to resize them.