426 Margaret Street, Akron 6, Ohio
We just had a letter and some pictures from Mr. Reed who is a
representative of a Well Drilling firm. He travels the world over
and has some interesting experiences. We are glad to give this
account of his travels.
I JUST COMPLETED another trip around the world. Eight months,
places. I did not get to thresh any or even run my steam drill this
year. However, one can’t do everything in one year.
The English made steam road rollers are standing in the main
shed at Saigon, Vietnam. They are in g shape. They are used each
year ‘ do various jobs of construction work at docks, roads,
parks and wherever the need for such equipment may arise. This shop
has men who can do a real job of patching, refueling or rebuilding
as may be required. Some of the engines are French made. They
don’t look much different from the English versions shown in
the picture. I did not see any American made rollers or steam
engines in this area.
The English and French steamer appear quite old but they look
very fit for duty.
Our Foreign Aid Deal is placing gas and diesel equipment in the
hand of these people. The new equipment suffers a terrible loss
from breakage and what happens to rubber tires just makes you sick.
When you look at the old steamers, 25 years old and ready to go it
makes one wonder. I suggested less automatic type or less modern
equipment for the under developed nations. Our government people
said I was trying to stay in the Stone Age. I do think one should
learn to crawl before they try to walk.
Far from Saigon country, I found a Case 30hp. That would be a
10hp I suppose. I had a 36hp. which was larger than this 30.
Remembering inexperience keeping that 36 hot, I had to laugh when I
saw the one in the picture. Someone had the same trouble I had but
they did something about it. They made a cement fire box a1-most
big enough to drive the little Case into it. They set the Case on
ton. I’ll bet they could keep steam up then even if the wood
was a little damp My Case engine experience was 35 years ago and I
am still not rested from that deal. I wish I could have had a fire
box like this one.
The little Case sits behind a barn right near a well traveled
road. If I could, firebox and all, I would like to have it on the
old home briar patch. Not that I need it for memory sake, but it
would be something to look at as the eyes grow dim. And I don’t
want any junkie to spoil the masterpiece of the unknown engineer
who was smart enough to get himself out of this trouble.
So much for Case. People seem to like them and it would appear
that they are the first choice of most folk? wanting an engine.
