IVAN the Engine: A Restoration Project
This 20 horsepower, single cylinder, throttle governed engine was
made by Witte. in the early 1930s. "IN country or city use a WITTE"
It powered a saw mill approximately 3 miles northeast of here on
the Bayou Bonn Idee. Lumber was floated in and sawed there, then
shipped out by boat in "high water". Although we don't know for
sure, the rocker arm breaking seems to be the reason it quit running,
and it was likely taken to the Rolfe shop for repairs. The fact that it
did not go to an iron drive, indicates that future uses were planned,
though never realized. I was told that it ran on kerosene, and the
blade and table of the sawmill were also retained.
made by Witte. in the early 1930s. "IN country or city use a WITTE"
It powered a saw mill approximately 3 miles northeast of here on
the Bayou Bonn Idee. Lumber was floated in and sawed there, then
shipped out by boat in "high water". Although we don't know for
sure, the rocker arm breaking seems to be the reason it quit running,
and it was likely taken to the Rolfe shop for repairs. The fact that it
did not go to an iron drive, indicates that future uses were planned,
though never realized. I was told that it ran on kerosene, and the
blade and table of the sawmill were also retained.
Soon
We
HOPE!
Ivan's twin brother has
been lovingly restored by
been lovingly restored by
Mr. John McAlester of
Salem, Oregon. He was
Salem, Oregon. He was
kind enough to remove
parts from his engine and
ship them to us so we
could have replacements
cast. We have a LONG
way to go before we get
our engine to look
ship them to us so we
could have replacements
cast. We have a LONG
way to go before we get
our engine to look
this good! We still lack, a
trailer, a magneto, and
cooling system before we
are ready to saw logs.
Two years have passed,
are ready to saw logs.
Two years have passed,
We hope that in the third
year we will hear a sound
unheard for 65 years.
year we will hear a sound
unheard for 65 years.
NEXT
