The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-14 00:00:00

great saving is effected, and accidents,•such as boiler explo-
sions, seldom, if ever, occur. It is not for me to give an
opinion as to whether inspectors should be appointed by
government or the local authorities. I only mention the
fact that I consider such an appointment imperative, in order
to ensure greater security to the public.
Lastly. Careful management and attention to the feeding
apparatus, and all the requisite water, mercurial guages,
indicators of pressure, &c., which, being carefully registered
and recorded, will lead to the best results.

Manchester, November 12th, 1853.
Mr. Fairbairn added: —This morning I again looked over
the centre stays and found many of them defective ; and I
am now inclined to think that the cross-stays were the first
to give way, because the boiler has taken a cylindrical shape
—the form which nature would give it under severe pres-
sure. I have no reason to suppose that the boiler was short
of water, but think the accident arose entirely from excessive
pressure. It is impossible to say what that pressure might
have been, but from the facts already stated as to the ulti-
mate strength of the boiler, it must have been considerably
above 35 lbs. upon the square inch. I have no doubt there
are many other boilers in the manufacturing districts work-
ing in an equally dangerous manner. With respect to this
particular boiler, I am strongly inclined to think the safety-
valve had not been•looked at for some time, and having got
fast, caused the explosion. But had it been otherwise, I
have no doubt that an explosion would have occurred
sooner or later, in consequence of the boiler being worked
at so high a presiure. I don't attach blame to any particu-
lar person, except so far as to say it was injudicious to have
such a boiler. I think the proprietors of the mill ought to
have consulted some competent person, to ascertain whether
the boiler was safe or not. I don't think they would have
employed such a boiler had they been aware of the danger
thereby incurred. The boiler was never fit to be applied to
a high pressure engine. lam of opnion that a great number
of these accidents arise from ignorance of the properties of
steam. In this case the person in charge of the boiler may
have erred either from ignorance or carelessness. I under-
stand that the engine had been started about three minutes
when the explosion took place. That is the very time when
these accidents usually occur. There is a disturbing cause
the moment you start the engine. Although you might
suppose that starting the engine would relieve thx boiler of
pressure, yet there is an impulsive motion then given which
would rather increase the pressure than otherwise.

Mr. Backhouse : If the fireman had left the fire-hole doors
open during the breakfast hour, when the engine was not
running, would not that have rendered the generation of
steam less rapid than if he closed the doors ?
Witness ; Yes, most assuredly. By opening the doors,
you let in a large quantity of cold air, which keeps down the
temperature of the furnace.
By Mr. Clough : It is absolutely necessary that the valves
should be in good working order to carry of the surplus
steam. If that precaution were always taken, many of
these accidents would be avoided. It is the duty of the
engine tender to s!e that the safety-valves, water and steam
gauges, and all the apparatus connected with the boiler are
in working condition and in good repair.
Previous to leaving the court, Mr. Fairbairn kindly re-
turned a cheque for ten guneas tendered to him on account of
expenses, to be given in aid of a subscription for the friends
of the deceased and the sufferers by the explosion.
Wm. Harwood examined : Was employed as a ware-
houseman at the loom-shed of Wm. Hesketh, witness's son-
in-law. The deceased, Edward Sharpies, was considered a
very good driver of an engine, but was sometimes rather
faulty. Witness had twice complained of Sharpies starting
the engine before the usual time. The first time, on being
asked the reason of this, Sharpies replied, " I've got my
steam too high, and was forced to start." Witness replied,
" You ought to have more sense; you'll be killing yourself,
or somebody else." To this he rejoined, " Well, I have but
once to die." Five or six weeks ago, witness again com-
plained to Sharpies, of his having started the engine before
the proper time. Witness said, a You ought to have more
sense than to do in this manner, for you are only burning
coals to the benefit of nobody." Did not recollect that
Sharpies made any reply. When in the employ of Mr.
Swithenbank, several years ago, Sharpies had a trick of
allowing the steam to get too low in the boiler. On one
occasion, he allowed the boiler to become nearly red hot, and
the mill had to be stopped while it was put right. He was
ultimately discharged by Mr. Swithenbank for being found
drunk upon the boiler.
Robert Hyde, boiler maker, deposed to repairing the
boiler about three weeks ago. The angle iron was craked
at the front end of the boiler and part of a front plate, about
22 inches long, was rosted away. There were also leakages
in the boiler.

Thomas Lee, foreman at Mr. Yeates's foundry, examined :
The boiler was upwards of 15 years old and had been' re-
paired five or six times within the last five or six years.
Believed it was made at Mr. Yates's foundry. Had re-
peatedly remarked to both Hesketh and Sharples that the
boiler was worked at too high pressure. According to the
indicator it was generally 35 lbs. to the square inch.. On
one occassion about four or five weeks ago, the pressure was
371bs. Heard Hesketh tell Sharpies that there was no ne-
cessity for working the boiler aboAe 321bs. Sharpies re-
plied that he liked to have plenty of steam on. There was
danger in working the boiler at the pressure : A new boiler
had been ordered to replace the old one.
By Mr. Clough The boiler wee in pretty fair condition
for an old boiler, Never saw the indicator at 401bs.
By Jurors.—l should think 201bs. would be the extent of
pressure at which such a boiler as that at Heskeths might
be worked. Dont't know any boiler of that description
working at so high a pressure as 201bs. or 151bs. The
general pressure for a boiler of that kind is 101bs. or 121bs.
The boiler was very strong. I understand it was made to
bear 251bs. It was a low pressure form of boiler, but they
used to make high pressure boilers in the same way.
Thos. Soxham—Was formerly engine-tender at the Eagle
mill. Whilst he was there, he thought the pressure at
which the boiler was worked did not exceed 241bs or 251bs.
to the inch. The boiler was well stayed, and he did not
think there was any danger in working it at that pressure,
because the steam would blow off at the safety if it got too
high.

John Rushtou—Was engine-tender for Mr. Hcsketh about
fifteen months since. There was no indicator to the boiler
at that time, but witnessed judged by the safety valve that
.he worked it at a pressure of 201bs. or 251bs.

By a Juror—Tliis valve (produced) was the blow valve.
The safety valve had been already taken off, a blank flange
put on, and the boiler worked by an indicator. The " blow
valve" which remained would not blow off unless it were
opened by the attendant, because it was weighed down by
two bricks attached to a lever, in addition to an iron
weight.
George Wilson, weaver, deposed to hearing Mr. ilesketh
tell Sharpies ,one day, about a fortnight before the explo-
sion, that the steam was too high, he had previously ex-
amined the indicator.

Six o'clock having arrived, the inquiry was adjourned un-
til Tuesday next.

FOREIGN HARBOUR DIFFICULTIES.

We have received the following communication,
which we willingly insert :

For the Benefit of all whom it may concern. -
Ricninucro, N. 8., Oct. 10th, 1853.
We, the undersigned, ship-masters, beg leave to acquaint
the public of the present state of Richibucto Harbour.

The entrance to the port is impeded by a Sand-Bar, about
3, miles from the town of Liverpool. It is stated in the
sailing Direction Book for this coast, that the depth of
water on the bar is 132 feet at low, and 172 feet at high-
water spring tides. We find that vessels drawing 12 feet
of water have been detained several weeks for want of suffi-
cient water on the bar. The tides are more or less influenced
by winds. As the entrance is exposed to heavy gales from
the north-east, it has occasioned a decrease in the depth of
water, which is extremely dangerous to vessels drawing
above 12 feet when loaded, as they must complete their
lading outside of the bar, riding in an open sea! so that if
it blows a north-east gale a vessel must unavoidably go on
shore—it is almost impossible to escape. There are no less
than ten wrecks at the entrance of said harbour, if not more.
We would recommend masters of vessels not to load to a
deeper draft than 11 feet 9 inches, to insure their going over
the bar at high-water springs.
Another danger is, when outside with rafts of timber or
deals alongside, that it often occurs the last tiers of the rafts
are lost, in consequence of the heavy swell that a north-east
breeze occasions, which separates the tiers and then go
adrift.

Several of the undersigned have been waiting for a con-
venient spring-tide since the 3rd of .September last, having
discharged cargo to a draft under 12 feet 3 inches, whilst
vessels of a smaller draft have come in, loaded, and sailed.
On or about the 25th September, several of said vessels went
over with difficulty, one of them, Elizabeth Grange, took
ground on the bar, and had to discharge part of the cargo.
On the 29th, four of the above-mentioned vessels, with
an inward-bound ship (the Albion), were riding outside,
when a heavy north-east storm drove four—viz., the British
vessels Albion, Elizabeth Grange, brig Adelaide, and the
Norwegian barque Fadresmindes—on shore, and are now
total wrecks.

We would, therefore, recommend ship-owners to take
into consideration whether it is profitable to send vessels
here of a greater draft than previously mentioned. We are
all aware that " time is money," and expenses incurred by
detention in port soon deduct a portion of freight; and we
would say, if assurance associations were to consider the loss
they are subject to, they would demand of the province of
New Brunswick some improvement to the harbour, if it
could be made. We have not the least doubt but it could,
by having two, or even one steam-engine employed in deep-
ening the channel during the season, and we think that the
expense incurred by said boats might be alleviated by the
trifling charge of halfpenny per ton register on every vessel
frequenting this harbour.
We conclude, by trusting you will pass by all errors we
may have committed in this badly expressed but true
assertion.

Gentlemen, we remain, a few of the many that complain
of tie disadvantages of this port.
Here follow the signatures.

La'
MONETARY AND 0011111E110-- NO.
LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY ENrre'stera
Ourscotton market closed steadily Jed
afternoon, and now that the advices rece_.4lvugy
America fully confirm the reports Pleoo
ceived respecting the frosts which have gisti
in the Southern States, a considerable aPec
.n.
demand may be looked for as almost certaLes,
sales on Saturday amounted to 5,000 7iatios
which 1,000 were taken for export and sPee.A
The Liverpool share market opened W.1;0
little activity, but improved towards the afte
and closed with considerable firmness. tion
In Manchester, the continued comphee.tty
the Eastern quesfion—with the uncertain
events which it entails, operates most unfavct,
on the markets, which continues to increase.,:es
ness, and so little business is doing that Prl c,f
not adequately tested to give true quotation.siero
markets. Some spinners. will accept conslues(
less than others, just in proportion to theirteprral
ments. The firm attitude of the raw 01
much against producers of good qualities o
co;
in low and middle numbers, and man)' are
.re to#
templating going on short time, as they
working to a loss, instead of a profit.
By the Royal Mail steamship Asia, oi.!,
rived in the Mersey this morning, we are /
session of private advices to the 2nd instaut•dor
Asia brings •66 passengers, and 986,00°.0rke;,
in specie. She reports the 4rctic at Nev.,,iyie`,
the 29th, and the City of Manchester at r'id
phia on the 30th ult. She also passed the
steamship about twenty hours' sail from 11°1;0,
The commercial advices by this arrival are peel'
was The crisis in the New York money "-,pecl'
was felt in all its intensity. The banking Purt.:l-e 01:
were said to be anything but bright; svPribe4
stock market remained perfectly inactive.
the
mand for exchange for remittance by 145-1;
was not active, and the latest quotatr
London were not firm at 109- to 10ni;
American "e
bankers are, just as we anticipated
time since, becoming shippers of gold to fiy.
with but little reference to the course of eSetiebtl.
and against which they have drawn but
In the Corn-market, a great advance ioq'
took place on the arrival of the .eiretitse'mcel'i!
advices taken out by that vessel, must, P" the
give place to those since gone out, which,l! t`
turn, will produce another reaction.
meantime, Wheat is said to have attained ;;;,ee
rates than for the last six years. Prime ae,"-.o'
sold as dear as 167 cents ; .Michigan, 16' '4,
some select parcels -from Canada at 164,),;"
Flour brought 6 dollars 75 cents. Frelicice
Europe were very firm, which gave confide'6oo
the. export calculations in breadstuffs. eo,
moved steadily, with a tendeney to fir'
prices. The export value of the late crop'
was was given on official data at 109,646,357 d°l a,
under the general calculation by about 40,
dollars.

Yesterday in London the English stock n
wore a most extraordinary aspect, the acili:of
rumours from the East, and the actual pr''' 601
the war in Wallachia, with the dogged obly
of the Russian Emperor, all augur unfavoull
any renewal of peaceable relations.
The report is again freely circulated thatcrie
ment will be called together at an early 0
deliberate on the measures necessary to'be t.
which seem to be undecided in the Cabiueeeg,
another time the various adverse influeilt e

work, . and the gloomy character of the 13:6'
horizon would have sent Consols down to roc Di
owing to the great abundance of money, c° 0013 i.
with the "bearish " nature of the account, vat
he kept up beyond the price to which die/
he fairly entitled under present circu°,4so'
Consols opened at 94 to 4. for money, an hero .
nttycio9e2ticlttvcloieoelu.9:3nicu.
;I
foi the 6th December, lathough there
~,ilde.!
few fluctuations, many purchases being, ""0, kll
both9ol34pe le
nn andmoney
steady a
a d9ty349saa,
bNseeqinve3nitlypebr ectlectoti
"Rededuficremd aTtli2r:ei.: )I:frh
94-& 95 and 951; sank Stock has improve'iceel'oe
a rise of Three per cents since this day of, of
consequence of the favourable naterkptoe
weekly return showing an increased 05°,106
bullion in its coffers. The general feat's he '.'f the,
returns are also favourably regarded. nee °pa
market has been dull to day, in consecitlewrs 4..,
absence, as usual, of the Hebrew ope,iftn,te
jobbers, the decline is about 10 to 1 i'irice, -NN
Great 821;eLnia,n2cTildtr9ir 411 MA
.a
11
dd l
aYfnol
d°r s Yorkshire' sf
6; 116' :::a: ;
141 °ll
terns,souti,
LonclOiNeter-WA94 , , . T. 72-, 4., 6,i -
Newcastle and Berwick, 16 to t; York 9'lllollo
Midland, 23t 24. Branch Shares were,e Aug ,
ported, California mines kept up, but t' ~cariti
Ilan Land Company's and miscellaneous 5- t,
ar
The p ape heavy.
ail II ers and letters by the overland - mLiogsi'
been received. The exchanges were Pi'' .___ _

China—at Canton Os., Shanghae 7s. ria,
A Great Exhibition was to open at Ba,
the 10th October. The Straits papers 13'3-w
Indian Government for allowing so valll3 blel"
opportunity to pass of obtaining indispa"",of tb
formation of the products and resource! opev
Northern lands of India, by not appointillgectitl
more competent parties to represent the 1-lleeli!
of India, for the purpose not only of e()41P;
information, but to encourage these e01°11;(45,
national displays of the industry and pre',.:
that large portion of the Indian Archipelag" $(B,,
the dominion. of Holland. Our China files gl.
the 28th September; the shipping at Slli-to0:,
amounted to 14,653 tons, at Amoy 2,854 t",,
Whampoa 22,376 tons, Hong Kong 21,0
elf
rj
The total quantity of mercantile shipping
in China, exclusive of those in Macao, tr
61,000 tons, against 57,000 tons atlastreP°".o6li
Deogaum was loading at Whampoa, and tllehi,
at Shanghae, for Liverpool, The Nerbudo
Cork, sailed September Bth. At Shanghae,
was at a stand still, owing to the outbreat'V
1,100,000 pounds of all kinds of tea had be; 00;
ported from Ist July to September 21st, 11,
more than tenth that quantity at the same ,Vti,j
last year. The Americans had been pmts 7
largely in green tea. In raw silk the exlv3r
been 15,500 bales against 13,700 last seasee:d
At Singapore the Plantaganet was loaal'e'rev,
Liverpool, exchanges on England 6 to 8f1,1,4
bills, ss. 4d, ; freights to London or Liverpe,,,dirj,
£3 2s. to £3. 55.. The Euphrates and 11'"e06
,7
Kersa had arrived from Liverpool with y
cargoes. The money market was very tight', toi
The Ceylon papers report the coffee erer,tteaf
smaller than usual, the deficiency is estial}ellaj
40,000 cwt. The prospects for next year floiiir;j,
ever stated to be good. The Legislative ,9
has been debating an amended Insolvency
and an assessment Tax-bill. il3l
The want of rain throughout the greater
of the North-west Provinces of India, has I:, tilo
many districts to the verge of famine. I:ll`f.ft!'i
periodical rains ceased about• the middleuea
instead of lasting to the end of August. .t)
season crop has therefore been entirely lost ifilof
least favoured districts, and we are threaten 0d
tjti
a repetition of the appalling scenes of 183 o
accounts from Agra, Gwalior, Hissar, an,he
place are very distressing, and unless
weather rains set in earlier than usual, fai.lieitt;ilt
prevail throughout the land. Already NV, 'l,, fa d
grain are selling at Delhi at 22 seers for ta'fioe
and in the. neighbourhood of Allyghur the P ,11
grain has risen to 15 seers. tt4'
The Governor General remains at Calelj
it is thought that recent melancholy eve itt tie
render necessary his Lordship's presence/0P
North--west Provinces, and perhaps on thehl,
itself. The Commander-in-Chief is at
In the general business of the port of -1-'o,t,i,'ol
during the past week, there has been much AO?, L'c
particularly in some branches of trade, tli'oVie f
having considerably increased. The illicettfol
vessels reported inwards was 307, by all i11,0,00/01,
117 over the previous week. The total (I,..tit't 0)(00
grain imported is more than double t'-`Oll,l
previous week, being 76,955 quarters, lore 00;
49,472 quarters of wheat. In addition ,s'ffte.teil
6,394bafTels of American, and 6,408 saek!evrePeirteilo
and Spanish flour. Of sugar there welsks ; ectA
11,341 bags, 1,132 hogsheads, and 289 11,7011,4
17,110 packages; of coffee 508 bags, a11,`,10 notool
and cases ; and of hops 867 bales. dl9
of vessels cleared outwards was 125, be ll"
sot than the previous week. tati°ll6Put'
The following are the latest glob 0,
Bourse, Amsterdam, November llt 3 SPei.airl°6;
921; 2i ditto, 16 15-16; 1 Spain,
621140 P 1694,
terior, 441 ; ditto, Coupons, 5 Lose, Ctii
A6l;trNiaenviAMleetaxii
1 181 ; American Bank, 31-; Chang
11-65. jacinu,
e2s3,
,;76N
6P:gertnlei