Hicks Iron Works

Historical or Biographical Note

The Hicks 8-h.p. single cylinder four-stroke engine was popular with fishermen, particularly along Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco, CA where it was the engine installed onto most Monterey fishing boats from the 1880s until the early 1950s.

Hicks engines were produced by James L. Hicks who established Hicks Iron Works, later Hicks Engine Works, during the late 19th century, in San Francisco, CA after immigrating from Ireland in 1850. Mr. Hicks worked as a machinist from 1870 and later refined and simplified the single cylinder four-stroke gasoline engine. By 1910, Hicks Engine Works was a notable part of the drive to produce and manufacture gasoline engines in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Hicks 8-h.p. single cylinder four-stroke engine was popular with fishermen, particularly along Fishermen's Wharf in San Francisco where it was installed in most Monterey fishing boats. The Hicks engine was a favorite of Bay Area fishermen because it was easy to start, durable, reliable, steady, economical to operate and repair, and parts were easily accessible because manufacturing plants were local. James L. Hicks records his occupation as 'machinist', 'gasoline engine manufacturer' and 'retired' in the 1870, 1910 and 1920 censuses respectively. By 1920 his age is 88.

Subsequent to Mr. Hicks' retirement, Yuba Manufacturing Company manufactured and produced Hicks Engines from 1918 to 1945. The Hicks 'heavy duty' marine gas engines were sold through the Hicks Engine Sales Company from two locations: 351 California Street in San Francisco, and 920 Howard Street in Martinez, California. The Yuba Manufacturing Company plant in Benicia, California, 1898-1957, was known for producing large metal parts and equipment for industries such as dredging, mining, and lumber. To meet demand during a time of high demand for fabricated iron and steel, The Yuba, as it was known in Benicia, contracted other companies, such as Bay Specialties Company in Martinez, California to manufacture and distribute Hicks engines and parts.

Bay Specialties Company, 1939-1950, located at 191 Howe Road, Martinez, California, was started by Alex Thomson, the donor's grandfather. In addition to distribution and manufacture of Hicks engines and engine parts, the company also made parts for liberty ships, submarines and firearms.

Note: Yuba Manufacturing Company donated company records to the Meriam Library California State University, Chico, Chico, California 95929-0295. For collection details, visit the Online Archive of California.

From the guide to the Hicks Engine plans and marketing materials, 1918-1950, 1919-1940, (San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department)