Worthington Duplex Pump - Port Gamble, WA
N 47° 51.343 W 122° 35.003
10T E 531163 N 5300348
This static display of a preserved water pump is located in front of the Port Gamble Historical Museum in Port Gamble, WA.
Waymark Code: WMGV35
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 04/10/2013
Views: 12
Visitors to the historic town of
Port Gamble are inundated with historical elements throughout the township. Almost every building in this town contains a historical marker that highlights the history of prior occupants. Each marker stands out nicely on painted burgundy boards and gold lettering. The
Port Gamble Historical Museum lies directly behind the Port Gamble General Store and offers the visitor a window into the logging history of this former milltown over the past 160+ years. There is a painted, red static display of a water pump that has a placard hanging on the front that reads:
WORTHINGTON
DUPLEX PUMP
Steam driven water pump used in Port Gamble Sawmill from 1913 to 1974. It supplies high pressure water to all the plant and townsite firehydrants. |
I found out that the Worthington Duplex Pump was invented by Henry Rossiter Worthington in 1859 and also was a founder of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, acting as the Society's first vice-president, and was a member of other technical societies.
Port Gamble was established in 1853 by two men from East Machias, Maine, Andrew Pope and William Talbot, who built a sawmill here and became the longest-running private sawmill in the United States before closing its doors forever in 1995. Small remnants of the sawmill remain and the only other evidence of its grand history are captured in the many photographs and small items from the mill that this museum has stored on display for visitors to appreciate.
Port Gamble is currently owned by Olympic Property Group which has restored this town back to its former glory (without the mill) by restoring many of the residences and commercial buildings. Some of these residence and buildings are available for lease for special events.
There is a wonderful article on HistoryLink.org that describes the history of this milltown and includes a cybertour of the township here.