Russel Ward from New Zealand sent in some information on the Orion and Viking engines from New Zealand. They were knock off copies of Frisco Standard engines that were imported in quantity to Australia and New Zealand.
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There were two companies making copies of the Frisco: the Shacklock concern made the Orion until the mid thirties. Apparently old man Shacklock got fed up with the one in his boat and in 1910 made some improvements... The other was the Viking made by Tomkinsons in Dunedin.
I am looking forward to rigging up a decent exhaust because I remember in the 50's (I was born in '46) there was an old chap who had an Orion single in his boat and it sounded just magnificent real slow plonk...plonk...plonk when he was coming up to his mooring. He used to cut it and drift the last 15' -never missed once. Always is good to watch the old salts -very little energy expenditure. I now realise why as the years go by!
The firm of Shacklock and Co. still exists and makes kitchen appliances. They have been through many changes of ownership and production since 1935. R S Tonkinson & Co. was the firm that made the Viking round about 1910. Don't know about that firm at all. I will try and find out. Regards Russell
My father had a boat in NZ called 'Viking' powered by a Shacklock, from around 1903 i believe
raymond
Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 07:30 pm:
RUSSELL, there was a launch ran on the Waikato river, called " GLADSOME " was built in the early 1900's and fitted with an "ORION" by Shacklock. It had an open crankcase and drip feed oilers. There is an illustration of that engine on the wall at Hobson Wharf museum. Gladsome was built by Bailey & Lowe who also built and engined "AURORA" but she had a 4 cylinder 40 hp "STERLING" both of these launches stayed on the river all their lives.
