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Title: |
1895 Article-Union Gas Engine Co., 20 H. P. Marine Gas Engine |
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Source: |
Industry Magazine, May 1895, pg. 282 |
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Insert Date: |
12/12/2012 8:33:51 PM |
The extent to which petroleum engines are entering into the marine service of the bay and rivers, is indicated by what was seen on a recent visit to the Union Gas Engine Company's works in this City.
There were in process engines of all sizes, up to sixty horsepower, and orders ahead for months to come. The type after passing through usual changes has settled down into what may be called a marine form, simple, compact and symmetrical, and the workmanship is "marine" also.
This latter is a point of no little importance in marine engines of all kinds, whether gas or steam. The circumstances of use are severe, and failures much more serious than on land. By workmanship is meant both material and fitting. There must be a plentiful use of non-corrosive metal and forged parts in such engines to avoid breakdowns and galvanic action.
We are much pleased to see so complete a development of this business here. It will be permanent, and have its effect not only as a local industry but also on carriage in the bay and rivers of the Coast.
People here do not understand the extent and importance of this gas-engine industry, which has grown to proportions no one would have conjectured five years ago. The suddenness with which it has sprung up is an indication of the want that existed for small power motors on this Coast, and if statistics were ascertainable there is no doubt a wider use here of such engines than in any other part of the world.
The limitation of capacity is not due to the nature of the engines so much as to the art being new, and the risk of constructing large engines that might soon be superseded by improvements. We can see in the Union Gas Engine Company's new works signs of heavier engines, in both handling tackle and implements, especially overhead travelling cranes to span the erecting floor.
Aside from gas engines there is more activity in the various machine works of this City than is commonly believed. People are apt to consider low prices the same thing as dull trade, and it is in a sense, but only in a limited sense. |
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1895 Union Gas Engine Co., 20 H. P. Marine Gas Engine
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