View Full Version : Long lost artifact?
Earlier this summer I was fortunate to take three trips into the GSMNP, the last a solo venture to Sugar Fork/Hazel Creek. After visiting the mines I set out on an exploration to find a site rumored to have exist, but rarely mentioned (twice online that I know of) and definitely no images. As luck would have it I succeeded in my quest but the journey was long from over. Not a trip for the faint of heart. Attached is one image from six. Any guesses as to what I stumbled across?
AfterParty
11-30-2016, 14:39
Db coopers treasure
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 14:42
A steam engine
Another Kevin
11-30-2016, 14:44
Looks like a firebox - I'm guessing from a Franklin stove, which, given the location, might have been adapted to power a still.
There are lots of old stoves at abandoned camps in the Adirondacks. When the logging was done, a lot of the equipment was left behind because it wasn't worth the hauling. Here's part of one serving as a heat reflector in a fire pit at a shelter.
https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/418/19584752502_a86537f3e4.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/vQCYAA)
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 14:48
Looks like the coal hatch to a steam engine locomotive. However a steam engine can run anything, and was probably either a saw mill or a still - popular in that area I'm told. Small gauge railroads were used for hauling coal and timber up there once upon a time though they were converted to many uses following their services as trains.
Closest response but not quite.
The clue is in the letters but yes it is part of an intact boiler.
illabelle
11-30-2016, 14:55
I found a forum discussing the
Orr & Sembower steam engine...
https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59386
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 14:56
Tractor or farm equipment?
gollwoods
11-30-2016, 14:58
Is that the relic off the forney creek trail between 68 and the top of the trail
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 14:59
Maybe a well pump?
I found a forum discussing the
Orr & Sembower steam engine...
https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59386
That was pretty quick.
rocketsocks
11-30-2016, 15:18
Cool!!!!!!!!!!!
Is that the relic off the forney creek trail between 68 and the top of the trail
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
No, this is a door to an intact boiler, but much smaller than that one. A winch is nearby and this boiler is still vertical. Basically the setup looks to be mostly intact, minus piping for the steam.
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 15:21
Mining hoist?
illabelle
11-30-2016, 15:23
What do I win?
That was pretty quick.
No, this is a door to an intact boiler, but much smaller than that one. A winch is nearby and this boiler is still vertical. Basically the setup looks to be mostly intact, minus piping for the steam.
My father is a boiler expert (retired from Nooter, Corp.) and he said it is a donkey winch. I know a little about it's history but need to do more research.
What do I win?
Hmm... how about an "attagirl"?
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 15:25
Soooo, do I get the cold star on my refrigerator chart with the first guess of "Steam Engine"? I could really use a gold star right now - I got two frownie-face stickers last night! Lol! Ten gold stars and I get a pizza party on Friday with ice cream for dessert! :banana
illabelle
11-30-2016, 15:27
If I can have a couple of Pilgrim's gold stars to go with it! Funny thing is, I don't know a thing about steam engines. My mechanic husband will be proud of me. :D
Hmm... how about an "attagirl"?
Db coopers treasure
It most certainly felt like it when I stumbled across it in the woods! I gave up my search and was following the logical route out so I wouldn't get lost in the backcountry. East off Woodward Knob, off a tributary of Haw Gap Creek. Beyond that, rhododendron hell forced creek walking back to Jenkins Ridge Trail near Higdon Cemetery.
Another Kevin
11-30-2016, 15:30
Hmm, small stationary engine. Pumping derrick for a mining operation?
Hmm, small stationary engine. Pumping derrick for a mining operation?
My thought was it to be a hoist, but father said more likely pump. This was the outfit that was able to reopen the AW mines, "Kalb" family if I recall? Operated less than five years before park took it over. Apparently there is a 100 ft exploration shaft, sunk at a 45 degree angle, somewhere in the vicinity. They were likely going in from the north side of the mountain that the AW mines were sunk into.
pilgrimskywheel
11-30-2016, 15:45
OK: Gold stars! And, attagirl! At this rate I'll never a pizza party. :( Another frownie face - I just lost my trekking pole privileges. Again.
If I can have a couple of Pilgrim's gold stars to go with it! Funny thing is, I don't know a thing about steam engines. My mechanic husband will be proud of me. :D
illabelle
11-30-2016, 15:51
But you had 10 stars! You could share a couple. And you don't have to get another frownie face. You've behaved well on this thread. And anyway, I don't want any pizza, I just want to impress everybody with my attagirl and stars. Tell ya what: You take the stars and get your pizza. Then give me a couple stars to play with. Deal?
OK: Gold stars! And, attagirl! At this rate I'll never a pizza party. :( Another frownie face - I just lost my trekking pole privileges. Again.
...definitely no images...
For some reason I never found this before while researching this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6xqwyV_AwE
That would be her.
O & S Hoisting engine made in Reading, PA.
https://books.google.com/books?id=-HQ-AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA142&lpg=RA5-PA142&dq=%22Trade+O+%26+S+Mark%22&source=bl&ots=OVTdHmMEf0&sig=NUJqMQe8xyOQi67fuD52BZ6A8B8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQ5pmVhNPQAhVI2yYKHRnlArEQ6AEIGzAA#v=on epage&q=%22Trade%20O%20%26%20S%20Mark%22&f=false
Pringles
12-01-2016, 09:17
I was hoping it was for an elevator, or an escalator. Maybe to Rocky Rop...