Abandoned

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Abandoned

February 21, 2013 by Mike Powell

Last weekend as I was hiking along the Potomac River in Virgina, following the narrow, rocky Potomac Heritage Trail, I came several large metal objects that appear to have been abandoned. They are shaped like some kind of water or fuel tanks and have lots of bolts and/or rivets. To me, they look very industrial. There also was a large wheel-like object. Although I was only a few miles from Washington D.C., the area where I saw these items was very isolated.

Does anyone have any idea about what these objects were used for and why they might have been abandoned?

Posted in commentary, Nature, Photography, Urban | Tagged abandoned, Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, Potomac Heritage Trail, Potomac River | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on February 21, 2013 at 8:08 pm | Reply krikitarts

Looks to me like a boiler for producing steam power, Mike. Wow, that is one large array of bolts! I’m glad i wasn’t the one who had to tighten the nuts!
on February 22, 2013 at 3:51 am | Reply Norunn Mølsæter

Love your photos, but I have no idea what it is, may be som kind of water mill since it is located by the river??
- on February 22, 2013 at 4:58 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks for your thoughts and compliments. I am glad you enjoy the photos. In the eight months or so since I started this blog, I have been trying to express myself in lots of different ways and I appreciate reactions and comments. Thanks.
on February 22, 2013 at 6:38 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

I agree with krikitarts that the tank looks like it would have been under pressure, like a boiler, with all of its bolts and rivets. It reminds me of a boiler for a steam train, in fact. The wheel looks like it might be part of an old hit and miss “one lunger” engine, which were one cylinder engines that were once used to power everything from farm equipment to washing machines. If it is part of a one lunger engine there should be another identical wheel not too far away. You can read about them here if you’re interested: http://www.old-engine.com/engines.shtml
- on February 22, 2013 at 7:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I may hike on that path again and will try to look closer at the items to get some more clues. You’ve already helped to give me some good ideas to pursue. Thanks.
on February 22, 2013 at 10:35 am | Reply naturesnippets

To make you curious.
on November 10, 2013 at 5:00 pm | Reply Kris

I don’t know if these are the same. I imagine they are but I found some articles about them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/24/AR2007022401112.html
and
http://fcnp.com/2011/11/09/ourman137/

Looks like your first reply was on the money.
- on November 10, 2013 at 7:09 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Wow. It’s nice to have an explanation for a mystery that apparently I was not the first to be curious about. Thanks.