Gardens display for ‘gulper’ lost in a loft
AN HISTORIC engine known as a “flame gulper” was on display at Ness Gardens in south Wirral yesterday after being discovered in a loft.
Garden visitors were able to step back in time and see the rare and ingen- ious “Atmospheric Engine” at work.
The historic engine was discovered in a loft at the gardens two years ago in a damaged and unusable state.
But following a lengthy restoration job by a team of dedicated volunteers, the engine has been brought back to life.
Kevin Reid, direc- tor of Ness Gardens, said: “We are really fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers.
“They have done a wonderful job.”
The Atmospheric Engine is a type of Vacuum Engine, also known as a ‘Flame Gulper’, a ‘Flame Licker’ or a ‘Fire Eating Engine’.
This type of eng- ine was devised by Henry Wood, who filed a patent in 1758, and the first working engine was built by Sir George Caley.
