Portable Steam Engine [Marshall]
Maker and role
Marshall Sons and Company, Manufacturer
Production date
1906
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Object detail
Accession number
2013.196
Production period
Description
Portable steam engine, Marshall and Sons. Painted bottle green, with two red fly wheels. Two smaller front wheels and two large rear wheels, all with red painted spokes and rubber tread. Boiler to reverse, painted black. Tall black folding chimney. Brass bands around body of engine. Green tow bar attached to front. Maker's plate has image of Britannia.
Brief History
Portable engines such as this Marshall and Sons steam engine were used throughout New Zealand from the 1880s to power mechanical equipment, particularly to perform agricultural tasks. Built in 1906, this engine was called a ‘portable’ as it could be towed to worksites by a traction engine. It was then used for any activity that needed power, such as threshing, cutting chaff or timber milling. This engine was used for a range of activities during its working life, including flax milling in Southland, stone crushing in Canterbury, and sawmilling on the West Coast.
Marshall, Sons and Company was founded in 1848 by William Marshall at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK. In 1856 the company began to manufacture portable steam engines and boilers began, soon followed by stationary steam engines. William Marshall died in 1860, and his sons, who took over the company, refocused manufacturing on steam engines. This continued until the First World War (1914-18). Portable engines of all sizes, traction engines, stationary engines and boilers were exported to markets around the world.
Britannia Iron Works was the site where the company manufactured their engines in Gainsborough.
Marshall, Sons and Company was founded in 1848 by William Marshall at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK. In 1856 the company began to manufacture portable steam engines and boilers began, soon followed by stationary steam engines. William Marshall died in 1860, and his sons, who took over the company, refocused manufacturing on steam engines. This continued until the First World War (1914-18). Portable engines of all sizes, traction engines, stationary engines and boilers were exported to markets around the world.
Britannia Iron Works was the site where the company manufactured their engines in Gainsborough.
Marks
MARSHALL. SONS & CO. LIMITED / BRITANNIA IRON WORKS / GAINSBORO ENGLAND Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Marshall Sons and Company. 1906. Portable Steam Engine [Marshall], 2013.196. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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