Smalley Motor Company

Smalley Motor Company, Ltd.

Originating as Smalley Brothers & Company, Ltd., Smalley Motor Company, Ltd. was one of the earlier successful manufacturers of marine engines, as well as general founders and machinists in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan. The company was located at 205-211 Saginaw in 1903. It was incorporated on June 26, 1903 with a capital of $80,000.

James H. Pierce, later of Pierce, Nye & Budd, designed the engine and first served as the plant superintendent.

Initially William Smalley was chairman of the firm, with M. B. Smalley as secretary and J. B. Smalley as treasurer.

By 1906 the management of the company was taken over by the Eddy family interests. The Eddy family had a long background in the lumber business. The new officers consisted of Newell A. Eddy, chairman; James B. Smalley, treasurer and general manager; and Newell A. Eddy, Jr. as secretary. During the course of the following two years, the Smalley company either closed, was sold or otherwise renamed General Machinery Company.

The 205-211 Saginaw plant was subsequently taken over by Pierce, Nye & Budd, marine engine manufacturers.

By 1906 the company was located at the corner of N. Water and Trumbull Streets in Bay City. This plant was subsequently the home of the General Machinery Company.

They made a point in their catalog of serving Bay City’s growing knock-down or kit boat industry, helping purchasers of these boats match Smalley engines to their home-made craft. Two-Cycle Marine Engines Trade Name Model No. of cylinders Bore Stroke R.P.M. H.P. Weight Years Produced Notes Smalley M-A 1 2-3 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-B 1 4-6 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-C 1 6-8 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-BB 2 8-12 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-CC 2 12-16 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-3B 3 15-20 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-3C 3 20-25 c.1905- 3 port Smalley M-4C 4 28-35 c.1905- 3 port