J.A. Seymour letter to James R. Harris - December 8, 1917
Transcript
[McIntosh & Seymour Corporation letterhead] December 8th, 1917. Mr. James R. Harris, Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company, St. Louis, Missouri. Dear Mr. Harris: - I regret not having seen Mr. Rotter at any of the meetings of the so-called Advisory Board, considering the subject of engines for Submarine Chasers. A very unfortunate situation has developed, it seems to me, speaking from the standpoint of a patriotic citizen. The present plan is to divide the members of the Committee into two classes; first, class A, those who are willing to give up all their drawings and date to the Committee to make use of in a collaboration scheme, similar to that used on the Liberty Motor; second, class B, those who are willing to submit a complete design, and are unwilling to present full details and data; the design to cover the use of solid injection. Although solid injection has been tried out for years by many of the Diesel engine builders having the longest and most successful experience, and abandoned as unsuitable for larger sizes, the Navy Department seems carried away with the idea. The most objectionable feature of the proposed plan is that the personnel of the Committee includes not only well meaning engineering enthusiasts who know nothing about the subject, practically, and who exhibit a natural human desire to get in on a co-operative design somewhat on the plan of the Liberty Aeroplane Motor, but also some members whose business history does not inspire confidence, and who, at the present time, are in the Diesel engine business only on paper as it were, or who are so situated that they have no serious work demanding their attention. Representatives at the meeting of the responsible Diesel Engine Manufacturers believe that the Navy Department is having one "put over" on it. Also, although it is a delicate matter,
Transcript
MCINTOSH & SEYMOUR CORPORATION Mr. James R. Harris [page 2] 12/8-[1917] JAS/IB to bring up, it is not fair to ask responsible concerns to disclose their data to the type of men composing part of the Committee. I am certain from what Mr. Davidson of the New London Ship & Engine Building Company, and Mr. James Craig, tell me, that they feel as I have indicated, and I am certain that if you should meet with us, you would also feel the same way. Mr. Craig suggested that, since we decided here in Auburn considerably over a year ago to devote ourselves to the development of heavy type of commercial engines, and not seek any orders for light engines such as are used for Submarines, and such as the Government think they want for these Chasers, that I was in a disinterested position, and that, therefore, it was fitting that I should ask you, together with the other two gentlemen mentioned above, to meet in New York and discuss the situation. I believe that if we present a moderate statement that we all subscribe to, that it will have weight, and that it is our duty to do this, in order to prevent, if possible, what is quite likely to prove a dreadful fiasco. The attitude of the Navy Department seems to be that the Submarine engines which they can secure from American builders are entirely unsatisfactory. They do not seem to think of the possibility that the Navy Department may be more or less the cause of this situation. We have never furnished any Submarine engines for the Navy, except two Swedish built engines which we sold them several years ago, before we decided not to go after work of this kind; however, our early efforts to secure some business from the Navy Department decided us to give up these efforts, and we shall not change this decision unless things are different. Our experience has made me think that the path of those who are building engines has not been exactly "a bed of roses". If there is any other responsible concern building Diesel engines that you think should be represented, please let me know, and will you kindly wire me, in care of the above concern, at our New York Office in the Singer Building, upon receipt of this letter, whether you could arrange to meet with
Transcript
MCINTOSH & SEYMOUR CORPORATION Mr. James R. Harris [page 3] 12/8-[1917] JAS/IB us, and if not, when could you send someone to represent you. In case Mr. Rotter expects to attend the meeting of the Committee on Monday in New York, kindly wire him your views. Yours very truly, JA Seymour Chairman, Board of Directors.
Details
| Title | J.A. Seymour letter to James R. Harris - December 8, 1917 |
| Creator | Seymour, J.A. |
| Source | Seymour, J.A. Letter to James R. Harris. 08 December 1917. Busch-Sulzer Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. |
| Description | Letter to James R. Harris, Vice President and General Manager of the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company, from J.A. Seymour of the McIntosh and Seymour Corporation. The McIntosh and Seymour Corporation was based out of Auburn, New York and created Diesel type oil engine and steam engines. Seymour discussed the development of submarine engines for the United States Navy and the potential problems he foresees. |
| Subject LCSH | Diesel engine; Submarine boats; Busch-Sulzer brothers Diesel engine company |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Contributing Institution | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Wisconsin Historical Society: 608-264-6535 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 8, 1917 |
| Language | English |