| Author |
Message |
    
richarddurgee
| | Posted on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 03:54 pm: | 
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Any pictures of the Naphtha engine in the launch
at Mystic Sea port ??? Other engines known or pictures ?? Thanks Richard |
andrew
| | Posted on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 05:51 pm: |
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Richard,
There are quite a number of Naptha engines around. The Independance Seaport Museum has one in a launch on display. I think the Adirondack Museum has one. Henry Ford Museum has one in the launch Chiripa. I have also seen various ones owned by private collectors.
The Adirondack Musuem published a little booklet in 1976 by Kenneth Durant called The Naptha Launch. I don't know if they still sell it or not, but if not it is probably available used. Nice little booklet with some history and technical inof. Also contains a bibliography of sources... Forest & Stream, RUDDER, Gas Engine and Power Co. instruction book, etc.
Pat Spurlock is working on a current high quality book on Naptha engines and launches.
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andrew
| | Posted on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 05:53 pm: |
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 |
Pat Spurlock
| | Posted on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 04:04 pm: |
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Naphtha Afficionados:
Does anyone know where we can see original Gas Engine & Power Co brochures about their naphtha launches, or Escher Wyss & Co brochures about the launches they built in Zurich under license, or Alco Vapor Launch Co. brochures?
Alco Vapor was F. W. Ofeldt's later invention after the naphtha engine; it was an improvement, as it burned kerosine and boiled alcohol.
We have exhausted the resources of Mystic and Mariners' Museums, and to complete the research we need to discover further resources, especially sources of the European builder. Does anyone know who is the old engine collector in Germany or Switzerland who might have an Escher Wyss brochure original. We have the reprint by Hillsdon.
It is a fascinating step in the history of engines!
Thank you,
Pat Spurlock |
Tom Stranko
| | Posted on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 08:33 pm: |
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I have a xerox copy of the sea shell shaped hand out from the 1893 Columbian Exposition from GE&P.
It's mostly testemonials with 2 illustrations.
I also know that the March-April 1961 "steamboats and modern steam launches" had a good article. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 09:28 pm: |
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The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY has a naptha launch "similar" to the one in the Adirondack Museum. The one in the Adirondack Museum was owned by a friend of mines father thus some casual history is available. If there are questions I can research or answer on the boat in Clayton please advise. |
Sandra B
Visitor
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 12:23 am: |
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Does anyone have a pictue of an Ofeldt naptha launch? |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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where was the Ofeldt launch made ? |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 1075
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
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Located this 1903 ad,this was the power plant, I will look for the Launchs !
 |
searcher
Senior Member
Username: searcher
Post Number: 428
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 04:30 pm: |
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I wouldn't mind owning one of these.
 |
ziechy
New member
Username: ziechy
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2012
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 02:50 am: |
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We know that The Henry Ford museum is a National Historic Landmark so that it is so great to be in there. The Henry Ford gallery in Dearborn, Mich., is reopening after an extended period of remodeling to unfold an account of America's obsession with the automobile. Beginning Jan. 29, the exhibition “Driving America” will open to the general public. The $8 million project signifies the first major overhaul of the gallery in 25 years, said Henry Ford museum president Patricia Mooradian. Same topic here Driving America opens at The Henry Ford on Jan. 2 . It will show and feature great automobiles in the automotive industry. |
hycom
New member
Username: hycom
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2014
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 10:20 am: |
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Does anyone have DIMENSIONS for a 6hp Ofeldt or Escher Wyss Naphta Engine? |
bruce
Senior Member
Username: bruce
Post Number: 466
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 02:15 pm: |
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Peter, Google modelengines.info/naptha
It appears a high class scale naptha engine model was built from Frank Olfeldt patent drawings. Spectacular documentation/photos/construction. |
bruce
Senior Member
Username: bruce
Post Number: 467
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 08:16 pm: |
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Museums owning Naptha launches. Independence maritime museum, Philadelphia. Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic CT. Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain NY . Antique Boat Museum, Clayton NY. Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, Alexandria MN.
Anyone else know of other museum owned Naptha launches?
I know of five Naptha hulls in private hands-only one of which still has it's Naptha engine ( not complete) |
ldobbins
Senior Member
Username: ldobbins
Post Number: 165
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 01:19 pm: |
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Hi Bruce,
Does your list of Naptha hulls converted include "Cathedral" on Fallen Leaf Lake next to Lake Tahoe? |
bruce
Senior Member
Username: bruce
Post Number: 468
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 01:44 pm: |
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Hi Lou, Yes it does include "Cathedral". Great story by the way.. |
bruce
Senior Member
Username: bruce
Post Number: 469
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 01:52 pm: |
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Oops, I neglected to include "Chirpa" in my list at the Henry Ford Museum,, Making 6 complete Naptha launches in Museums thus far. Mystic Seaport has an unmounted Naptha power unit in it's engine collection also. |
ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 1930
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - 01:06 pm: |
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Mystic has a launch too. Not sure if it is the one that belongs to the engine you mention.
A lot of their boats have the engine removed for some reason.
In the notes it has the engine with a separate accession number.
Maybe Scott will shed some light on the subject.
http://library.mysticseaport.org/ere/odetail.cfm?id_number=1953.3071
Title: Naphtha launch LILLIAN RUSSELL
Accession Number: 1953.3071
Category: WATERCRAFT
Type: naphtha launch
Maker: Gas Engine & Power Co.
Place: USA, NY, Morris Heights
Date:
Materials:
Description: Naphtha launch LILLIAN RUSSELL with one cylinder naphtha engine. Varnished with green bottom. Naptha engine restored 1/1973. Engine accessioned as 1953.3071.1
 |
ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 1931
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - 01:17 pm: |
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Here is another engine at the Mystic Seaport.
Bruce is this the one you are talking about?
http://library.mysticseaport.org/msca/enginedetail.cfm?accession=1958.1557
Engine Builder: Gas Eng. & Power Co., Morris Heights, NY
Model: unknown
Make: Gas Engine & Power Company
Inboard/Outboard: Inboard
Engine Type: Naphtha
Production Date: Before 1904
Engine Design: Other
Overall Condition: Fair
Rebuilt/Restored: Untouched
Horsepower: unknown
Cylinders: 3
Bore:
Stoke:
Coolant:
Accession:1958.1557
Remarks: Brass covered boiler, iron block, wood and brass fly wheel. Made before 1904, probably 1890's. Basically a steam engine boiling naptha (similar to gasoline) rather than water, and operated as a closed loop system. Heat is supplied to the system by burning a small amount of naphtha. Engine appears frozen, top of boiler cover is cracked, bottom plate of boiler cover(drip pan) has corroded away. Engine block: 14 1/2" long x 6" wide. Boiler: 14" dia. x 20" max. height. See file for flow diagram.Flow diagrams and notes in the file for this engine describe the naphtha power unit as a "Three cylinder, single-acting engine". This description apparently applies to all naphtha engines manufactured by the sole producer, the Gas Engine and Power Co. of Morris Heights, NY. There is a similar but smaller engine in the "Lillian Russell". Donor: Thames Shipyard
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ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 1933
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - 05:41 pm: |
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From eBay
Here is the link if you want to bid on it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NAPHTHA-LAUNCH-FLORIDA-ANTIQUE-1894-GAS-BOAT-ENGINE-/400150527665?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d2ad47eb1
Harpers November 1894
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scott_n
Senior Member
Username: scott_n
Post Number: 236
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 08:58 am: |
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Hi guys I bin off line for a wile we have one complete engine and one launch I think their 14 engines and 6 launches accounted for my college Jim rote a paper on this subject and has a lot more information then me. |
scott_n
Senior Member
Username: scott_n
Post Number: 237
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2015 - 02:43 pm: |
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hear is the Anna lessee
 |
scott_n
Senior Member
Username: scott_n
Post Number: 238
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2015 - 02:01 pm: |
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sorry guys I met Lilly-en Russel |
