1300 Frenchtown Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818 USA
Telephone: 401-885-0545
Robert W. Merriam, Director
This engine was built by the American Engine Company, also known as the American Ball Company in Bound Brook, NJ in 1905. It has a 14" bore, 12" stroke and produces 125 HP at 257 RPM. It was installed in the National Laundry Company in Dorchester, MA and was used to generate electricity. The exhaust from this engine was used as process steam in the laundry. The 100kW 3-Phase 240V salient pole alternator connected to this engine was built by General Electric. At the turn of the century there was a battle between GE and Westinghouse over AC vs. DC power. GE built DC generators and Westinghouse built AC alternators. This AC alternator is probably one of the first built by GE. It was donated to the museum by the National Laundry Company in 1969.
