Rowayton is a village in Fairfield County, Connecticut, on the shores of the Atlantic, and 11 miles from Cos Cob, Connecticut. In the early 1900s, the Palmer Brothers designed and created boat engines. I’ve undertaken the task of researching the brothers’ history and very fortuitously discovered a Gas Engine Magazine article (dated February 1, 1990) online, written by Max F. Homfeld and titled “A Study of Palmer Marine Engines Using Old Catalogs.” The content of which will prove to be of much fascination and interest to our boating enthusiasts. Hence my questions …
One of the original Palmer engines was owned by Jim Nelson, who had his own business, Nelson’s Clams & Lobsters, 101 Rowayton Ave., from 1918 to the early ’70s. It’s now a deli with no connection to the previous owners. He and his wife later moved to East Norwalk. It’s assumed that Jim used the engine on his boat when lobstering. Jim was born in Sweden in 1892; his full name was Hjalmar Walter Nelson. He died in l980. Homfeld’s article states, “The first Palmer engine ran in a launch for 15 years before it was retired. Later, it was displayed in boat shows labeled ‘Where It All Began.’ It still exists and is owned by Richard A. Day Jr.” We discovered Richard Day passed in 2008. We’re wondering:
- Where is that engine now?
- From who/where did Jim Nelson originally acquire his Palmer engine?
I fervently hope that someone at GEM or its readers might have answers. I look forward to any feedback available. I will compile a piece for our Historic Rowayton’s newsletter, crediting Gas Engine Magazine and incorporating extracts from Homfeld’s original article.
My most grateful appreciation and sincere thanks for your kind attention.
Gillian Marshall
born2travel1@optimum.net
The Rowayton Historical Society has approximately 100 members.
First of all, Gillian, it was lovely speaking with you and it’s most excellent that data compiled by one of our writers in 1990 is still of value today. This proves GEM endures the test of time. I have exhausted my resources without finding answers to the questions above, so I am turning to you, my brilliant audience, for assistance. Please reach out to Gillian if you can be of any help in her search. — Editor
Please send your questions and comments for Flywheel Forum or your contact information for GEM Experts to Gas Engine Magazine, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265 or email editor@gasenginemagazine.com.
Originally published as “Flywheel Forum” in the August/September 2023 issue of Gas Engine Magazine.
