The first-ever comprehensive history of the American marine
engine industry has been published by Devereux Books. Engines
Afloat, from Early Days to D-Day covers a time period of 1884 to
1944 and examines the development of four-cycle, two-cycle, and
diesel engines in all areas of the country. The new book is the end
result of four years of research and writing that involved
individuals, libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies
throughout the country. According to author Stan Grayson, the
project was instigated to a large degree by those who had read his
Old Marine Engines but ‘who wanted to know more about
everything from Atlas-Imperial and Union to Sintz and Van
Blerck.’
‘It turned into a vast project,’ said Stan, ‘because
the sources are so widespread and, sometimes, difficult to uncover.
But I had some great luck in finding old-timers and old
photographs, and the people I met were just great.’
Among the author’s biggest surprises, he says, were the many
and fascinating early developments in California, to which one
entire chapter is devoted. Another was the role played by
Ohioans.
‘It just didn’t end,’ said Stan. ‘You had Clark
Sintz doing really pioneering work beginning in Springfield, Ohio,
both on his own and with Foos. Then there was E. W. Roberts in
Sandusky and Winton in Cleveland, among others. And then there was
GM’s Charles Kettering! All from Ohio.’ Kettering figures
prominently in a chapter entitled ‘General Motors,’ which
traces the development of what would become famous as the 6-71 used
in Navy landing craft and bigger diesels used in World War II
submarines and subchasers. That story and the history of the
Packard V-12 used in PT boats will be of special interest to
many.
The author’s goals included exploration of the contact
between the automobile and marine engine industries, and related
fields. He found there was much cross-over. Gray, for example, one
of the longest-lived and most important engine companies, was begun
by a man who made his fortune doing advertising for Henry Ford and
who had financial banking from the sons of the first president of
Ford Motor Company. In California, Samson was eventually acquired
by GM and, in addition to marine engines, built stationary models
and tractors, one of which is pictured in the book.
‘Perhaps the main thing that the book does,’ said the
author, ‘is to combine the story of technical developments,
from primitive flame and hot-tube ignition to overhead cam engines,
with the stories of the men and companies who built them. In
addition, it examines the impact of engines on fishermen, riverboat
operators, and recreational boaters. And it weaves together the
stories of the great pioneers, both the famous and the
little-known, in a way that makes for a good story.’
Engines Afloat is published in two volumes: Volume 1,
The Gasoline Era, and Volume 2, The Gasoline/Diesel Era. Each book
is $35.95 (plus $4.25 shipping) soft cover, or $49.95 hardcover
(plus $5 shipping). A 25% savings is offered for the set: $54.95
soft cover or $74.95 hardcover ($6.50 shipping for the boxed set)
order from Devereux Books, P. O. Box 503, Marblehead, MA 01945. A
free catalog is available.
