Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Walking Beam and A-Frame

from the Sidewheel Steamer Albany

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 3, 2023

1. Walking Beam and A-Frame Marker

Inscription. This 30-ton section of walking beam engine was originally installed on the sidewheel steamer Albany in 1880.

Called a "walking beam" because of its rocking action, the diamond-shaped beam pivots in the center, transmitting the vertical motion of the engine's single piston to the shaft that turns the paddle wheels.

Steam-powered walking beam engines were first adapted to use on ships in the 1830s.

Walking Beam
Walking beam and A-frame from the steamboat Potomac, built as the Albany in 1860 by Harlan & Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware, for the Hudson River Line. Served on the Hudson River until 1931. Brought to Washington, D.C. in 1934 and renamed Potomic to serve as an excursion steamer. Sold to the Chesapeake Corporation of Virginia 1950, for conversion into a barge to carry pulp wood.

Erected by Mariners' Museum, Chesapeake Corp. of VA.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 3.274′ N, 76° 29.265′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Museum Drive near Avenue of the Arts. Marker is on the outside grounds of the Mariners' Museum. Admission required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Museum Drive, Newport News VA 23606, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sloop La Nube (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish Bronze Gun (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Spanish Bronze Gun (about 300 feet away); US Navy Admiralty Pattern Anchor (about 400 feet away); Admiralty Pattern Anchor (about 500 feet away); USS Monitor: America's First Ironclad (about 500 feet away); Leifr Eiriksson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Waters Creek (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Also see . . . Mariners' Museum and Park. (Submitted on April 13, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Walking Beam Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 3, 2023

2. Walking Beam Marker

Walking Beam and A-Frame and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 3, 2023

3. Walking Beam and A-Frame and Marker

Walking Beam and A-Frame image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 3, 2023

4. Walking Beam and A-Frame

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.