1904 50 Horsepower Corliss Gas Engine

This Corliss Gas Engine was originally installed at Tin City Alaska, a mining camp on the western tip of the Seward Penninsula on the shore of the Bering Strait. A rich deposit of tin ore was discovered around 1900 and a large stamp mill was set up to be powered by this engine. During construction, large tin ore (cassiterite) deposits were discovered in nearby streams which did not require crushing, thereby not requiring the stamp mill. The mill and engine were abandoned, never being operated.
I found out about the engine in 2008 and acquired it from the claim owner. I had doubts about being able to get it running because it had set outside along the shore of the Bering Straight for over a century. It was a ball of rust and critical parts had been lost. But I knew it was rare and I had to give it a go!
When I got it home to Oregon and started taking it apart I learned the true story, this engine was brand new inside! Piston, cylinder, rings and bearings all perfect! Requiring no repair or replacement, just cleaning. I was inspired to finish, making the carburetor and governor by copying original parts from another Corliss engine and having a new cam shaft gear made. By 2010 the engine was running as you see here.