The Nunawading Historical Society Newsletter for June refers to a mysterious piece of machinery on the north bank of Mullum Creek. The engine was built in Stamford, England. Its horsepower was 10 h.p. with one piston which was 6 1/2 inches across and the piston pad was 3 feet long. With two flywheels 3 feet across, it ran on power kerosene and was started by a blow-lamp, the flame being directed on to a hot bowl. To start it, you would draw a charge in by holding a valve open then close the valve, stand on the spokes of the flywheel, throw the piston back on the compression and it would start immediately. The large oil gauge on top of the piston with a quart of oil would allow the engine to run all day without any attention. It was water cooled. One very interesting item was the fuel tank built in the block of the engine and held eight gallons.
It was installed on the bank of the Mullum Creek in the year 1936 for the purpose of pumping water on to the Petty orchard. To install it, we used the flywheels as wheels by disconnecting the piston rod of the crankshaft and placing large planks under the fly wheels, thus allowing it to roll along by winching. The engine pumped water from the year 1936 until 1962 when it had rather a sad ending. It was in the great bushfire of January, 1962. It was very economical and never had one cost of repair.
C. Petty writing in 1974 08 DTHS Newsletter
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