Pat’d 1892 Salisbury’s Electric Boat Propeller

[jdhiller]

Hello all. This is my first post to the group, and I admit I have joined AOMCI because I came to own a rather unique outboard which I am hoping to learn more about and eventually sell.

It is a Salisbury’s Electric Boat Propeller, Pat’d Nov. 22, 1892, according to the Mfg. Plate on it. I have read at one website that it was among the first outboards to be commercially produced in any sufficient number, and that there is currently only one other known to exist. I don’t know if that information is accurate, as I cannot find any other independent reference to it aside from brief mentions online, and some old ads photos.

It was found in an old house in Upstate New York on the Hudson River, and I have neither cleaned nor attempted to operate this outboard.

My questions:
Does anyone know more about the history of this electric outboard?
Do any of the currently available outboard collector books cover this outboard?
What in your opinion would be the best auction house to contact about selling this outboard?

I have so far contacted just antique outboard person for some help, and have received this reply with no further information, "How much do you want for it?" As I’m sure you’ll understand, I’m not looking for that type of feedback right now, because I do not know the answer.

Thanks in advance for any info you can share with me. I will attempt to show a photo with this post, but alternately you can click on several of them in a directory online: http://www.postcardprints.com/161012/

Please feel free to download and use the photos as you like, I am not one of those copyright-declaring folks, let all benefit.

[chris-p]

Neat find.

I found this in "The Old OUtboard Book"

"Chicagoan Wilbur S. Salisbury entered the fledgling outboard world in 1892 with plans and a patent for an electric kicker that he may have marketed under his name. A similar device surfaced as the 1897 Allen. The next year (circa 1898) Salisbury advertised a gasoline fired "portable boat propelling motor." This 4 cycle, rear pointing single looked enough like the legendary 1898 American (except for a semi-submerged oil tank braced to the lower unit) to make one wonder about a possible connection."

A real piece of Outboard History there! My wife wouldn’t give 2 hoots, but I think its pretty awesome!

Keep us updated.

[chris-p]

I also found this quote….

"This circa -1892 electric probably never saw production under the Salisbury label. W>S> Salisbury was granted an 1892 patent for his "Boat Propelling Apparatus." The flexible shaft of coiled wore wound up a bit when its propeller hit a rock. After the obstruction passed, the shaft uncoiled. Salisbury-like motors showed up in the mid-1890s bearing an Allen nameplate.

[jdhiller]

quote Chris_P:

I also found this quote….

“This circa -1892 electric probably never saw production under the Salisbury label. W>S> Salisbury was granted an 1892 patent for his “Boat Propelling Apparatus.” The flexible shaft of coiled wore wound up a bit when its propeller hit a rock. After the obstruction passed, the shaft uncoiled. Salisbury-like motors showed up in the mid-1890s bearing an Allen nameplate.

Thanks, that is some great information Chris_P. Interestingly, contrary to your book quote, this one certainly does have the Salisbury label.

[Anonymous]

This looks like the patent:

http://www.google.com.na/patents/US486684
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=pate … 486684.pdf

It’s certainly rare, and I can imagine it would matter to some people whether it’s conserved, restored or customized.
It’s only in "as found" condition once, and there don’t seem to be many like it.

[PM T2]

A beautiful thing it is. An unmolested example of what actually IS a "motor" that is indeed RARE!

And a MOTOR is it, being electrically powered. Wonderful! Congratulations.

This device did appear with the Salisbury name on it, as is quite obvious. Wilber Salisbury patented the invention, then shortly afterward sold the rights to Frank S. Allen. The majority of the motors built & sold were Allen motors that were slightly revised from the original Salisbury, but the Allen still displayed the original patent number that Salisbury has his name on.

they were quite the thing in their day, I’m sure, but one of the drawbacks was that the battery pack required to run them was huge and HEAVY! Some reports were that the batteries alone were good for 100 pounds by themselves!

I’ve enjoyed looking at all your pictures. It’s about as close as I’ll ever get to owning one! I have seen a couple of others and have photos of those. One was a Salisbury, and the other is an Allen. Thanks very much for sharing your find.

Best,
Christopher Scratch
Prime Minister, Southern Ontario Rowboat Motor Chapter

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[jdhiller]

Thank you for your information and kind words Mr. Scratch

[PM T2]

I’ll just add that from an antique motor and historical perspective, in my tiny little mind this would rank as one of the most important and significant discoveries for a member of the AOMCI in many many years, and I wonder if many people who read this post actually realize that without it being pointed out. It is right up there with the recovery of the air-cooled Waterman Porto that happened back in 2006.

I hope you would consider leaving the motor in as-found condition. As the oft-used (but many times ignored) saying goes, "they are only original once".

Best,
PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[jdhiller]

I do intend to leave the motor as-found.

[Randy in Tampa]

WOW! That motor should be in a museum, please be super careful with her and protect it! That’s the kind of find that we all dream of! Congratulations 😉

[Author]

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