I liked their cough drops too, especially the black ones for "smokers cough." http://www.ebay.com/itm/1951-Ad-Smith-Brothers-Black-Cough-Drops-Nickel-Throat-Membranes-Smoking-Phlegm-/300969738169

Those are the Smith Bros. driving the steamer. They sat in for the Stanley Bros. for the photo because the Stanley Bros. were perfecting their arrangement of "Man of Constant Sorrow" that day.

I actually saw one of these a few years ago, going down the George Washington Parkway at about 60, not far from Reagan Airport.

I actually saw one of these a few years ago, going down the George Washington Parkway at about 60, not far from Reagan Airport.

I'm pretty sure they didn't have gears. No need. Unlimited torque.

They also had the fastest car in the world at one time.
http://american-automobiles.com/Articles/1906-Stanley-Steam-Race-Car.html

Chansonetta?

Not an engine brake but two of the wheels were originally under mechanical brakes. Not a lot of congestion in the roads in 1898. Legend has it that in 1906 a steamer was clocked at 106 mph on Daytona Beach. Others today do 60 mph normally and can do 80.

Ray got the speed cite in before I saw the comment. Link's got some great pictures.

The Doble Steam Car was the ultimate development. I saw one at the Henry Ford Museum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doble_steam_car

What impressed me was how fast - 90 seconds - power could be generated from a steam plant.

My maternal Grandfather was employed in the welding of boiler tubes on the Steamers.

Willis Richardson, of Lowell, MA.

A former Marine, he fought in Nicaragua in the first war there.

Subsequent to his time at Steamer, he went on to be an independent welder and instructor, obtaining a Presidential Citation for his work with Kaiser Shipbuilding, having developed techniques which were key to their "1 ship a day" output.

He passed at age 82, when I was in the 6th grade.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Jim _ heckuva good story, and your grandfather helped win that war.

Love it.

PS: Is the 'New Dawn' still sunk, or have you got on your way to a new sloop? I've wondered about that over the years.

For a WWII ship still sailing go to

http://boatnerd.com/

And look up the Lee Tregurtha of the Interlake Fleet. She wears her ribbons on the bridge wings.

I actually met F. O. Stanley in Estes Park, Colorado in 1938. He built the Stanley Hotel (of "The Shining" fame) there in the early 1900s. My grandfather, W. E. Baldridge, was hired to do the electric wiring. After the hotel was completed, F.O. kept my grandfather in his employ to maintain the hydro-electric plant, which he built by damming Fall River just east of Horseshoe Park in Rocky Mountain National Park.

When I met him it was at his home, a stately Georgian style manor house, which was about a mile from the hotel and had a magnificent view of the Front Range. He was engaged in playing chess blindfolded. A pastime that he considered stimulating. (The man was a genius.) He had snow-white hair, a full beard, and was quite old. (I think he was 89 at the time.) He seemed very cheerful and encouraged me to "get a good education." He was also kind to my grandfather. He offered to pay for a college education for his three daughters. Only one, my Aunt Doris, took him up on it. But he paid for all her expenses through Wellesley College. At the time, in the small village of Estes Park, that seemed a very remote and grand place.

My grandfather told me many stories about Mr. Stanley and their relationship. Mr. Stanley was a large figure in my heritage. I would not have had the good fortune to be born and raised in Estes Park if my grandfather hadn't gone there to work for him.

Jimmy J., that's the best history I've read all week. God bless the late Mr. Stanley, and God bless you.

Gosh, what can I say. Well, I'm just a lucky SOB. Met F.O. Stanley and was raised in Estes Park. Now Gerard features my little anecdote. Makes my day.