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| The Western Marine Engine |
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Bill
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 12:04 pm: | 
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Just found an advertisement for the "Western Launch & Engine Works" located in Mishawaka Indiana. Anyone know anything about this company...or have a picture or links to an engine picture? Thanks for any help -Bill in Indiana |
andrew
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 09:30 pm: |
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Bill,
Chip DeBoer and Don Danenberg wrote an extensive article on the restoration of DUCHESS which was built by the WESTERN GAS ENGINE CO. of Mishawaka, Ind. Their article was published in the Summer 1997 issue, Volume 7, Number 1 of the ACBS Rudder.
The DUCHESS is an 18' torpedo stern launch built by the Western Gas Engine and Launch Co. and originally powered by a 2HP Western engine which was found to be "insufficient" and replaced in 1908 by the present 3.5HP Fairbanks Morse engine.
I will contact Chip DeBoer (the DUCHESS's owner) and see if he will add some comments here.
Regards, Andrew |
Bill
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 10:06 pm: |
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Andrew,
Thanks for the information! I am more into farm engines, and have an interest in the Perkins Windmill Company engines that were also built in Mishawaka. When I saw this western advertisement, I couldn't resist finding out a little more out about them. I am interested if the engines were their own make, or built by somebody else. Thanks - Bill |
andrew
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 10:27 pm: |
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Bill,
I found a picture of the DUCHESS, as I mentioned it does not have the original Western engine. I don't now if they made their own engines or not. I have sent a email to Chip, so maybe he will post some info here. You could try to get a back copy of the issue of RUDDER that I mentioned. You would need to contact the ACBS office, you can get their address from the ACBS web site.
Regards,
Andrew
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Chip
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 10:37 pm: |
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Bill,
I have a lot of history on this company.
Send me your mailing address and I will forward some copies of the stuff that I have.
I would be interested in seeing the ad that you have.
The company was in business from about 1895 until they bellied up around 1912. They made their own boats and engines in Mishawaka and moved their
operation to Michigan City, Indiana in 1905.
At one point they were shipping their boats to South America and Russia!
The attached picture is of our 1904 Recreation model Western Launch, Duchess. I also have some pictures of a Western engine that I will scan for you.
Chip
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Chip DeBoer
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 11:48 pm: |
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If anyone has or knows of anyone who has a Western engine that they might part with please contact me at [email protected].
Thanks,
Chip |
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