Topic starter
10/06/2012 4:15 pm
I'm the new "kid" on the block (72 years young)
Last week I was awarded the 2 steam engines, boiler tender pump, pittman arms, paddle wheel, and rudders from the Julius C. Wilkie replica in Winona Mi.
I was very surprised no one seemed interested from the local area, as these seemed to me to be of historical interest, especially to someone from that area. However they are going to a good home in Carthage N.C. We do not even have a river in town, but we have another steam engine buff located here. His name is Ken Eder keneder1 - WELCOME TO MIDEAST RAILROAD and he operates a railroad business that cleans up train wrecks as well as other related trades. He has a collection of hundreds of all kinds of steam, hit and miss engines, and antique farm and construction equipment. He has a yearly open house the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November. I will be involved in setting these engines up for public display. They are being moved next week. Ken will insure these are well taken care of and will post a history of the engines nearby. I dont think he will build a replica steamboat, but will show them professionally.
Everyone is welcome to come to his show. Any questions about me, see my profile.
Topic starter
10/06/2012 7:35 pm
julius c. wilkie engines
These engines have a 10 inch bore and 5 ft. stroke. The paddle wheel is 16 ft. wide and 14 ft. in diamiter. Does anyone know what kind of engines they are? They were built in 1898 in Ottumwa Iowa. I know nothing about steamboat engines. In looking at the pictures, I assume the paddlewheel is in 2 independent sections, each controlled by a different engine. If that is correct, can you enhance steering by having one in forward, the other in reverse. Sorry for being uninformed but you only learn by asking someone that knows. Any help would be appreciated.
10/06/2012 10:04 pm
Roland, welcome to steamboats.org! I know others with more knowledge of the WILKIE will step in shortly; Keith Norrington and Judy Patsch are both quite familiar with the boat. S&D Reflector editor David Tschiggfrie is, too. All these fine folks are busy this weekend with other endeavors. I urge both you and Ken Eder to join teh Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen and receive our fine quarterly, the Reflector, all about steamboats, diesel boats on our our rivers and those who built and ran them. Again, welcome!
Topic starter
10/06/2012 10:56 pm
julius c. wilkie engines
Thanks for the welcome Bob. Like I said earlier, most everything facinates me, especially history and mechanics. I started out to show the steam engines at the airport, but decided they would be better served at Ken's place about 3 miles away. He is also several years younger than me. Got to pass things on to others that are interested.
11/06/2012 7:28 pm
All,
Here's a link to the auction of the Wilkie parts. Looks like everything is in pretty good shape from these pictures.
STEAM ENGINES- Julius C. Wilkie - GovDeals.com
Aaron
17/06/2012 1:40 pm
Roland: those appear to be typical sternwheel engines which are direct-connected to a solid paddle wheel shaft...cannot be run independently. Send to the Howard Museum in Jeffersonville, Indiana for a copy of Alan Bates' ENGINEROOM ENCYCLOPAEDIUM, and STEAMBOAT ENCYCLOPAEDIUM for an excellent place to start to learn about what you have. You would be well posted to join that Museum as well as Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen...see website of both for details. Cap'n Walnut
17/06/2012 4:38 pm
Wilkie
I have no further information as to the builder of the engines that were aboard the JULIUS C. WILKIE, formerly the steam towboat JAMES P. PEARSON, built at the Kahlke yard in Rock Island. The Winona County Historical Society might have files which could provide more data.
When the DELTA QUEEN made stops at Winona, I always enjoyed visiting the WILKIE and the engine room was always of special interest, as her machinery seemed so "tiny" compared to that of the DQ and BELLE of LOUISVILLE. Attached is an image of the engine room, taken in the 1950's.
It's really too bad that the city administration decided to demolish the second WILKIE (building) that replaced the torched boat, but from all the accounts I read in the Winona paper, there were many problems, largely due to poor management and lack of maintenance.
Glad to know that the engines and paddlewheel are going to a new home and not winding up in a landfill. Also attached herewith are two images taken at the time of the 1981 fire which destroyed the original WILKIE.
Good luck!
17/06/2012 10:12 pm
Roland: I hope all that plumbing survived. That is the "doctor" pump there between the engines against the forward bulkhead. Thanx Keith for the pix. Cap'n Walnut
Topic starter
19/06/2012 7:28 pm
julius c. wilkie engines
Thanks Gentlemen for your replies and help. The doctor pump was awarded to me as well as both engines, paddlewheel, and rudders.
Roland Gilliam