The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-22 00:00:00

TUE LATE STEAM Bovr

V" a forgery. Almost immediately after the pri-
fl°tirtne,r received the money, he absconded, and nothing
ether was seen of him until Mr. I'urby met him
the street about a week ago, and gave him into
may.
toe pris ne
or, who reserved h's defence, was then
tetaitted for trial.
--ABRo'-STREET—(THIS DAY.)
ATTEmrTED EXTOILTION.—Henry Stone, a re-
rtable-looking lad was placed at the bar before
• Hardwick, charged with writing a letter for the
110,1qe of extorting money from John Attwood, Esq.,
tr„`•) 25 Park-lane.
the Prosecutor stated that on Monday evening
to the received a letter by post requiring him to send
f address enclosed the sum of Si., and in case of
piitllng to do so, something of a serious nature
teh "'llappen to him. He produced the letter of
the subjoined ii a copy.
write these. few. lines to warn you of the
obliget that you are in without knowing it. I am
lettheir
to keep company with a set of fellows who
„"eir living by dishonest ways, and from whom
liaplant to get away ; they intend very shortly to
wil"l2, You, but you could prevent it if you knew
di •it is. I will tell you what it is on one eon-
-°n--that you will give me 51. for telling you.
15,.u1d gladly tell you everything for nothing,
1444t.directly I tell you I must take the first oppor
raj itY to get awa out of London by railway, or it
(rit cost me my life; they already suspect me, and it
WrititlY„b37 going into a coffee-house that I find time to
one not
I should have left them long ago but I
nOt the money. If you agree to the conditions,
tan.34,lfle a letter with a 51. note directly you read this,
14 I will return you an answer of what the plot is
be 7 how to prevent it, and who the person is that
teot it; if you do not agree you must take the con-
don`-2ces, as I dare not tell you unless I leave Lon-
letie`ureetly after I have told you. I shall receive a
r if you put this direction.
" JAMES ELLIS,
"To be left at the Post-office,
~
P s 26, Leadenhall-street, City.
to' .---That is not my name, but I shall know what
goat
sk for. You need not think to see me when I
f et the letter, for I shall get some boy to ask
"vat
1, The letter did not bear the name of witness, but
rlts rn,erely addressed 24, Park-lane, Hyde-park.
poj:tetiy be had read the letter, he proceeded to the
~.Ice station, and placed it in the hands of the in-
trtor on duty, who directed a constable to go to
the llost.office, in Leadenhall-street, and take into
pl-ot(43' the person who called for the letter. Pre-
as to the constable going there, witness inclosed a
ink Piece of paper in an envelope, and sent it by
Police
the address named in the letter.
constable 8 D said that from information
telehad received from the prosecutor he proceeded to
}it_ Post-office, 25, Leadenhall-street, and placed
I,:ulrtself
in a position that commanded a view of every
timels who entered. After watchine. a considerable
thin
he saw the prisoner go into the slop and shortly
to I,r.n with a letter in his hand. Witness then went up
lettlea and took the letter produced from him. The
had r Was identified by the prosecutor as the one he
let sent. sent. Witness asked the prisoner whether the
ckr was for him ? He said, "It was not, and that
ilstan had sent him for it." He then took him into
hew 3', and conveyed him to the station-house, where
th, as searched, and several slips of paper, bearing
lacidresses of different gentlemen, found upon him.
ansvver to the charge, the prisoner denied
liridlng the letter. He was going over London
when a man met him and asked him to go
mee post-office in Leadenhall-street for a letter,
tok?„sseti to James Ellis. He consented, and on
etut—odg out of the post-office he was taken into
,
It
an tilat he to Mr. IlAnnwicK, the prisoner stated
"e had not been in London long, having been re-
ine With his uncle, who is a farmer near Ashford,
lag jellt, for the last six months. He was now lodg-
Vine-court, Tooley-street.
Fn; RARDwica directed him to write his name,
lag;p the words "Leadenhall-street" and " James
The
. Prisoner then wrote several words both in ink
11;41 Pencil, which on being compared with the
"riting in the letter bore such a resemblance as
textlt'llee Mr. 11.Aabwicx. to remand him till Friday

EXPLOSION.

1.) THAMES.—(THIS DAY.)
tharr,."_ie/ Leary, a powerful looking fellow, was
sere'', in conjunction with another man not at pre:
in custody, with forcibly violating the person of
,xld,eßet Bennett.,
Prosecutrix, who cried bitterly during the re-
%lt? stated, that yesterday evening, as she was
Ing down Whitechapel, she saw the prisoner
Le lived next door to her in Blue Anchor-yard,
rick Carernary-lane) and another man, come out of the
ate L public-house. The prisoner said he would
ar her home, and asked her to have something to
thllk;,_ She took a small glass of gin with him and
bo man. As they were passing the prisoner's
he suddenly pushed open the door, placed her
b"' Over her mouth to deaden her cries, and car-
ea her to a room up stairs. He threw her on the
fercAband) despite her struggles and screams, held her
the,l ,i Y down while the other man vi )lated her. He
hlo, 'et the other man out, struck her several violent
titcr,"l, which almost rendered her senseless, and himself
nos,
his purpose. Her loud outcries at
opegth attracted attention, and two policemen broke
Dthe door and apprehended the prisoner.
24, deposed, that last night a woman
Iva e tn him and said she was afraid some foul play
going on in Blue Anchor-yard, for there was a
et ate screaming horribly. Accompanied by another
Ick,t,etir, he went to the spot, and, as the prisoner
pro."l not admit them, he burst open the door. The
tille-elltrix was sobbing bitterly, and told the same
(10„,.`nP as she did now. Prior to breaking open the
ssi,'lne heard her exclaim " For God in Heaven's
ethe'rit ine out." From the description given of the
Preh-,„111,,an he had no doubt he should be able to ap-
M,„"" him in a day or two.
ter/C.YARDLEY' said, for that purpose he would
hadahlici the case till Friday. A most brutal outrage
Neeen Perpetrated, and he directed the officer on
the aY to bring the woman who had called him to
plett:dr°secutrix, in order that the case might be coin-

}lt CITY REGISTRATION.
(THIS DAY.)
br, (Before T. Y. M4CIIRISTIE, Esq.)
totier revision of the lists of the Livery having been
litbded Yesterday, the Court proceeded this morning
householders' lists, commencing with that of
Tlgate Wards Within and Without.
14. e effect of the decision come to by Mr.
friv li'ristie with respect to giving costs, in cases of
riutn°},l3us objections, has considerably reduced the
It er of objections raised by both parties, and there
thro"ugol.lh bt that the work of revision will now be got
rapidly.

-I.srr INDIA HOUSE.—(THIS DAN. 7..)
tir,—„' a General Court held this morning, on a divi-
to-", against the legal right of the money payment
iViv,ggernaut it was objected by 38 to 4, the chair•
was "aVing exPlained that the Government of Benga
as legally bound to pay it.

(4)oiirsT?ms.—The melancholy death of Mr. Weston,
ainee the Surveyors-General of Customs, a few days
the .'O4l consequence of the injuries received on one of
4t
the lines of railway, as detailed in our columns
re_'oet time, has caused the deepest and most sincere
thethroughout the department. As may be supposed,
the removal of a gentleman holding so high a position in
0,, I:l.partTent causes several promotions to occur, some
e,o_7bich will be in the regular course, and others ac-
,. "ung to the merit and capacity of the individuals in
rotation. Without at all anticipating the arrangements
or intentions of the Board, we may state as probable that
the new Surveyor-General will be selected from one of
the Inspectors-General, which will cause a vacancy for
promotion from landing-surveyor, and also the appoint-
ment of one of the senior and most efficient landing
waiters to the post of landing.surveyor. This latter will
promote the several classes of landing-waiters, and
finally place a landing-waitership at the disposal of the
Government.
SINGULAR FIRE.--Yesterday morning, between
0043 and two o'clock, a fire broke out upon some premises
situated at 39, Ray-street, Clerkenwell, belonging to
kr. Isaac Tracy. It appears that during the past few
Weeks workmen had been employed in rebuilding the
house, and a heap of lime had been placed on the ground
'leer the scaffolding. The rain that fell during the night
rt.% laLeked the lime which act the scaffold poles in a blaze.
'ue side walls being away, and the floors open, it was
at °no period apprehended that a fearful conflagration
would have followed. The engines promptly attended,
and there being an abundance of water the fire was
speedily extinguished, but not until the scaffolding was
considerably burned. Fortunately the building received
45.1ry.
- L'EEFILES HUSTINGS.—The contractor who was
down
for so inefficiently doing his work that it fell
"c'wn has been pronounced not guilty. The erection
as composed of spruce fir, and wanted a centre beam
" post, but it was duly inspected at the time, and the
witnessesdi were contradictory, and hence it is supposed
e above result.
0n Friday night the aurora borealis was perceived
ItPane, from half-past nine to a quarter past twelve.
th Frond a feeble light similar to that which precedes
a rising of the full moon when the sky is obscured by
thPc.murs. Its principal light extended from N. towards
-"Lig.W., but it was excessively diffused.
G„ NEW GOVERNOR- GENERAL OF THE CAPE OF
$ HoPE.—The Vernon, East Indiaman, arrived at
btthead this afternoon (Tuesday). The stock and
evening
of the passengers will be got on board this
Geneth_g and to-morrow, and in the afternoon Lieut.-
bark:al Sir Harry Smith, his lady, and staff will em-
v,Thogoing to Spithead in the Myrtle steamer. The
n is to sail for the Cape and Madras at daylight
4 1491144 Y mOtning.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.—(rms DAY.)
The inquest on the bodies of the unfortunate
persons who lost their lives by the recent explosion
of one of the boilers of the Cricket, was renewed to-
day at ten o'clock in the board-room of St. Martin's
workhouse, before Mr. Bedford, the coroner.
Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., Mr. James, and Mr.
IVlSlntyre attended for the respective parties as at the
last meeting.
The first witness examined was Mr. Edward
Portwine, of 27, Catherine-street, Phnlico, a writer
on engineering. I am not a working man. lam
not a practical man. I visited the whole of the boats
while they were working at a penny. I judged that
they were dangerous boats from the high pressure on
the boiler. The gauge was from thirty-six to thirty-
seven, and I thought that pressure too great to be
safe for marine boilers of three feet diameter. I con-
sulted several eminent men on the subject, and they
agreed with me. I told the engineer that that
pressure was too great to be safe. I did not notice
the valves.
By Mr. Le Breton—The boat was moored at Lon-
don-bridge, taking in passengers when I examined
the boilers and found the mercury gauge at 36.
To the jury—l never knew engines worked at
such a pressure-27 is the highest-23 is enough. I
am neither a working man nor a practical, but Dr.
Lardner is not a practical man. I have had great
experience.
By Mr. James —Locomotive engines work from
35 to 80. The book you hold in your hand looks
like mine-2G lbs pressure is not much for high
pressure boilers. I have said in my book that the
Cricket was worked with low pressure condensing
engines. I say so now—that the boat has been worked
at high pressure with low pressure engines. I did
not examine the engines or the boilers. I obtained
my information from the engineers of the boats.
The CORONER interfered. He said he thought that
the examination of the witness need not be pro-
ceeded with.
Mr. James said it was material that he should
proceed with his cross-examination.
Mr. Jones, the foreman, though the evidence good
for nothing. Mr. Portwine merely gave the result
of inquiries he had made, not the result of his per-
sonal investigation.
The CORONER considered such an observation pre-
mature.
The examination of the witness was not, however,
after some discussion, proceeded with.
Mr. Thomas Lloyd, of the Admiralty, Somerset-
house, chief engineer and inspector of the machinery
of the navy, was next examined—He said, I have
examined the machinery arid boilers of the Cricket
by the direction of the Government. I examined the
boat the first time the second Monday after the ex-
plosion, the 6th of September. (The witness here
handed' in drawings of the vessel as she appeared when
he first saw her ; also a plan of the boiler and of the
safety valve, with the weight and size, which were
received in evidence; also a drawing of the spring
balance upon the boiler, which did not burst
(Salter's balance) ; also a drawing which he
had received from Mr. Joyce, showing the
boilers in their orignal state (Mr. Hughes brought
specimens of the iron of the boiler, and pieces of
good plate). With regard to the engines, Ido not
think it necessary to say much about them. The
engines were high pressure, on the principle well-
known as Wooltrs. There are two cylinders to each
engine ; one cylinder in which the steam is used at
a high pressure, and instead of passing into the open
air, as in ordinary high pressure engines, it passes
into the second and larger cylinder, from which it
passes into the condenser ; it is there condensed in
the ordinary way. The object of this arrangement is
the saving of steam, and therefore of fuel. So far as
I saw, the material and workmanship of the engines
were good. As compared with high pressure engines
of the ordinary construction, there is nothing objec-
tionable in them in point of danger. lam about to
say that there were attached to the engines two
pumps for feeding the boiler ; there was another
pump worked by an auxiliary engine, which
is commonly called " the donkey," and a
fourth pump to be worked by hand, all for
feeding the boiler. I see nothing objectionable in
them. They appear to perform all that is necessary.
With regard to the boilers I may say that there were
two, consisting of an external cylinder, five feet in
diameter, having spherical end at the back, and the
front being composed of a flat plate, to which are
affixed a cylinder, composing the furnace, and also
small tubes, through which the products of combus-
tion pass. The internal part of the boiler, consisting
of the furnace, fire-box, and the small tubes, were
secured to the shell by rivetting round the circum-
ference of the front plate. The stay was fixed to the
end of the boiler, and the other obliquely to the top
of the front of the upper part of the shell. There
was a steam-door also rivetted to the top of cii.ch
boiler, on each of which there were two safety valves,
pressed down by levers, one lever having a wssight
at its end, and the other a a spring balance—Salter's
balance. The thickness of the tube-plates was
about three quarters of an inch ; the front
plates, at the top and bottom of the boiler% threo-
eighths of an inch, the shell three-eighths of an inch,
the steam door 5-16ths of an inch, the angle iron of
the boiler is three inches by a half, all the other angle
iron is two and a half by three-eighths. The rivets
are three-eighths of an inch thick. The rivets in the
boiler were three quarters of an inch. Assuming
each boiler to be of the power of 16 horses, the total
surface of the boiler is 14 3-lOths per square foot.
The area of the fire grate is 55-100ths per foot horse
power. There is nothing objectionable in these pro-
portions of the boiler. The quantity of water in the
boiler up to the middle gauge cock is about 3-10ths
of a cubic foot, and the steam-room about 1i foot per
horse power. I have calculated the pressure upon
the safety valves to be, supposing the weight to be at
the extremity of the lever, per square inch amounts to
661bs per square inch very nearly. Taking the
spring balances as it was when I saw it, the pressure
per square inch, when the valve was just about to open,
would be, I think, 401bs. per square inch ; but if the
valve was wide open this spring balance would pro-
duce a pressure of about 1701bs. per square inch,
supposing the valves to be as wide open as they could
be. The wider the valve opens the beater is the
pressure upon the spring balance. A pressure of 11b.
on the valve produces a pressure on the spring ba-
lance of 21bs. I will now describe the condition of
the boiler that was burst. The valves act separately,
and I apprehend if all the valves had been in proper
operation the steam could not have generated to a
dangerous extent.—(Sensation, and slight approba-
tion.) The power of the lever is as 101bs to 1 nearly.
This is not the usual way in which spring balances
are used, at least so far as I know. It would not be
liable to be easily disorderded. It is wrong in principle '
to place a spring balance at the end of a long lever,
because the pressure of the valve is increased very
materially. I object altogether to the valves being
under the care of an engineer, but it is right to say
that the practice is too common.
CORONER—This is a valuable opinion, because it
may lead to a remedy of the evil.
Mr. Lloyd—l think, Sir, it can scarcely be a
matter of opinion. If it was intended to work the
boiler at 661b5., such a weight as the one I have de-
scribed ought not to have been put on the lever. I
am speaking of the lever with the weight. The spring
valves can be regulated to any pressure. The weight
being on the lever, would lead the engineer to the
inference that he might use it as he thought fit.
With regard to the construction of the boiler, I may
say that it was dangerous to be used as a high
pressure boiler. The whole of the pressure of the
steam within the boiler is brought, either directly or
indirectly, upon this flat plate in the front. I find,
when the pressure is 66, the direct pressure upon this
plate is 83 tons.---(Great sensation.) This pressure
is withstood by the thickness of the plate, with the
addition of the two stays I have mentioned. Ido
not believe that 661bs. to the square inch would
have hurt the boiler at the time it burst, but
when it got older it would have burst. In
the first place, you cannot calculate what
the
res s pressurere upon
nugthhte
itiolsidbee
tends o n
tthe
produce flat
tplate.hree
upone 'ec t
ai n the
right-angles fiTdbirhtioF p u
eurgehnt t
t
ftt plac_rom the surface. If
e there is a straih.
the plate was perfectly thererigi f u
effect than this, but if not, apnei
e I
enormous
rcmooluds be n
pressure is
plane. brought upon it on its own ionay illustrateo
this by comparing the strain to that n a
string, when it is pulled lengthways. Thero musicalis
a
third action upon it produced by the bending of the
plate—the outer circumference remaining plain, the
inner part being considerably bulged. I have come
to the conclusion, from the best examination that 1
can give to it, that this front plate, with the two very
imperfect stays put into the boiler, was not sufficient
to bear for a length of time—that is, during the time
boilers usually last—a pressure of 601bs. upon the
square inch ; it could bear it no doubt at the present
time. Supposing the lever valves were tied, and a
man could easily stop the others with a small wedge
of wood, I have made rough calculations of the effect
of keeping all the valves tied fur five minutes—l do
not pretend tc accuracy, because you must use
assumptions. If the pressure was GO when the valves
were tied, at the end of five minutes it would be 90;
and in ten minutes 130 to 140; in a quarter of an hour,
180. I cannot conceive four valves sticking at the same
time—one would not relieve the boiler sufficiently,
looking at the construction of the steam-pipe—that is
if three were fast. Two ought to remove the boiler,
one cf Salter's and one of the other. The area of the
steam-valve is 5 or 8 inches, but the area of the
waste steam-pipe is 28 7-10ths only. If the two
levers were tied, and the spring valves open, I think
a dangerous pressure would be brought on the boiler.

After examining the boiler, I tested the goodness of been on board before I visited the boat. She had been
the materials by taking pieces which were rent when often dry. When I saw the lever there was no cord
it burst. They are 3-Bths of an inch thick. I cut upon it. I think on the day of the explosion there
slips of two inches in thickness from them, both must have been a sudden pressure of 1301bs. to 1401b5.,
with and against the grain, and tore them asunder by and this undue pressure disabled the other boiler.
a machine for that purpose at Woolwich. (The wit- This periodical pressure must also have weakened the
ness produced the slips.) I had four pieces of similar boilers.
thickness cut from a new plate of the same thickness By Mr. M'lntyre—lf one of the lever valves had
at Woolwich. The average strength per square inch been free I do not think the explosion could have
of the plates was 17 tons, and the strength of the new occurred. I should prefer a convex to a flat front,
plates of the same thickness was 21 and 2-3ds of a but I do not object to a flat front if properly se -
ton. I tried also some common Lowmoor plates of the cured with stays, but with deficient stays I think
same thickness, but of a far superior quality. The them dangerous. Placing the valves in the power of
Cricket's plates are lamuniated very much. This an engineer holds out to him a temptation which few
occurs in the best boilers. The iron where the boiler men are able to resist, to increase the steam by tying
burst is bad ; in fact, the iron is of a kind that ought the valves.
not to have been applied to high pressure boilers. By Mr. Le Breton—Supposing the engineer had
I also tried some common Staffordshire plate, been in the habit of tying down the valves since
as thick as the Cricket's, and it bore 16 tons and two- April, the pressure must, at times, have been greater
thirds. The boilers are not properly constructed; than 66—sometimes less. The valves sometimes get
the rivets generally did not fill the holes, and they clogged,especially the river boats, from the thick, muddy
were generally not sufficiently long to make a good work, but it must have been an extraordinary clogging
rivet. The boiler does not seem deteriorated by to stop up all the valves. The valves used in the
wear, except at the lower part, a portion of which Cricket were not uncommon. I see no grounds for
exploded. Ido not attribute the explosion to the coming to the conclusion that the boiler burst at a
wear of the boiler. The whole front of the boiler lower pressure than 130. It is possible that that
was blown out. Of course the boiler was weaker boiler may have been more weakened than the other.
than when new, but not much. No experiments It is probable that the tying of the valves might not
will tell us what pressure the front plate would bear. have been attended with any serious consequences.
The iron was not of good quality, considering the To the Jury—The difference of cost between
use to which it was applied. Such iron is used in making the two thin plates, which were subject to
the navy for parts of boilers not much liable to wear. the greatest pressure, in Lowmoor, and the iron of
The pressure when the explosion took place could not which they were made would have been inconsider-
have been less than 136 to the square inch. It is able—not more than 2/. or 3/. The sudden
utterly impossible to calculate it exactly. I have no escape of steam from the condenser would
reason to suppose that there was a deficiency of not show that the valves were tied—simply that
water. The boiler was a tubular one. The bursting the condensers were too hot, and on such occasions
of the tubes from which it derives its supply of water the engine would suddenly stop. The tying of the
could not cause anything serious. Tubular boilers valves would tend to cause an escape of the steam by
are generally considered safe if they are properly the condensers, but it does not follow that the steam
used. Two or three were burst in the explosion. will escape.
The great objection I have to the boiler is its construe- (The inquest was not concluded when our report
tion without proper staying, and in a far less degree the left.)
materials of which it is male. The cause of the
explosion was an improper increase of the pressure of
the steam. If the steam increased from 60 to 150
in ten minutes, the explosion is easily accounted for.
I should say that the boiler had never been subjected
to so great a pressure as at the time it burst, because
the exploded boiler leaked materially, no doubt from
the pressure' it received on the day of the explosion.
The boilers were connected at the lower part with
the water, and at the top with the steam. The pres-
sure on the two boilers was the same, and if but one
valve was in operation it would act upon both. I
may mention with respect to the unexploded boiler,
that the front plate was permanently bulged an inch
and three-quarters, and when subjected to the water
pressure of 136, it was bulged two inches and a six-
teenth, and began to break at the pressure I have in-
timated as being on the other boiler, and exactly like
it. If all the four valves had been at liberty, it ap-
pears to me quite impossible that an explosion could
take place. 1 think the valves must have been closed
either by accident or design, or merely open to a very
small extent.—(The witness here handed in a plan of
the state of the boiler before and at the time of the
explosion, and explained the mode in which it took
place.)
By Mr. IM. Chambers—The object of the spring
valve is not to save steam ; it is intended to act as a
weight. I don't disapprove of spring valves. I dis-
approve of the way in which they were placed in this
case. When the valves were not in the care of the
engineers, and they got out of order, they could be
raised, but not lowered. This is the plan adopted in
the navy since steam-vessels were used; it is not so
in locomotives. A man cannot, therefore, produce a
greater pressure. The :pressure on the unexploded
boiler was, I think, 401bs. There was nothing to
indicate that the valve was tied. The Salter's balance
was broken and carried away. If the Salter's balance
in both boilers had been in order at the time, I cannot
say whether they would have prevented the explosion.
I doubt much whether they would. I have come to
this conclusion from the strength of the springs and
from the smallness of the pipe ; also from the steam
having to pass in two, or three different directions,
which impeded, its progress to the funnel. Any one
standing near the funnel could hear the steam blowing
off at a low pressure. I think there should be two
valves on each boiler, as in this case. I certainly should
have preferred two weighted valves to the spring valves.
The gauge is intended to show the engineer the
pressure of steam. I should think it is liable to get
out of order ; if either water or air get in it will not
act properly. Besides the valves and the gauge, there
is nothing to show the engineer the pressure of
steam. The experiment I made on the front plate
was gradual—the lower plate began to break at 120
lbs. If that pressure had come suddenly in with a
jerk or a bump, the force would be materially in-
creased. There is "impact," the force of which no
one can calculate. I do not see how the pressure
could be brought • on suddenly to entitle it to the
term " impact." There were two stays to the unex-
ploded boiler which were broken, and either sudden
or gradual pressure would break them. The sudden
breaking of one of the stays would perhaps cause a
bulging in the front, but I cannot calculate the
amount of pressure. I will not say that it would
be so small as not to create any effect. The stays
were not broke, the fastenings gave way. One of
the holes in the back stays was torn out
by the force of the explosion. I should
be very sorry to make any experiment
to learn the increase of pressure on a boiler the
valves of which were closed at 60, and for ten
minutes. I draw my conclusions from the quantity
of water, the dimensions of the boiler, the heat, and
from the experiments made by other persons, and cal-
culating the elasticity of the steam, I have arrived at
the opinion I have expressed. I have considered that
everything except the valves was in order; but Ido
not pretend it to be considered as an accurate
opinion. I really did not notice that any of the
tubes had been plugged. The tubes, if they leaked,
would only let out water, and, no escape of steam
would take place by them. The boiler is a tolerably
good one—that is the main consideration; the state
of the tubes is not so material as that. If the pres-
sure had got to 80 or 90 the spring valves.woald,have
been acted upon. They would operate at that pres-
sure. If they had been open, the escape of the steam
would have made a great noise ; but if they did not
let the steam off as fast as it was generated the sub-
sequent explosion would only be prolonged. A
stoker, it he were present, would in such a case
" draw his fire." He knew no one who thoroughly
understood the steam engines. Engineers in the
navy were subjected to examinations. A good man
was a man who understood his work.
You must get the best man you can,
and if you cannot get him at low
wages, you must give higher. A man who could
take an engine to pieces, and who understood its na-
ture, would of course make a good driver, but if he
had not a perfect knowledge he might cause more
injury than an imperfectly educated driver.
By Mr. James—lf all the valves had been open Ido
not think that an explosion would have taken place.
My opinion is fortified from what I have heard that
something must have been done to the valves. The
evidence that no steam was blowing off, also leads me
to the opinion that the action of the valves had been
interfered with before the explosion. If the fact be
established that the valves were tied on the boat
leaving the pier, and that it rose to such a height that
the gauge became disordered, I should say it would
be conclusive as to the cause of the explosion. If all
the valves were in operation, 661bs. was the maximum
pressure on the boiler, which could be regulated by
moving the weight or the lever. In the
royal navy there are no levers—the weights
being underneath. I have no objection to an en-
gineer adjusting the pressure, unless he does so with-
out the cognisance of the parties interested.--(Salter's
balance was placed in the hands of witness.) He said
this is a better one than the one in the Cricket; it,
showed 85, this showed but 45. The engine is better
known as Woolff's. It is not used in the navy. I
have no objection to high-pressure steam-engines.
They always have been used. Salter's balance is
used on locomotives. We have no high-pressure
engine yet at Woolwich. I prefer low-pressure, but
it is necessary to use high-pressure. This boiler,
for a high-pressure one, did not undergo a
severe test. I tried it without the stay.
I allowed something for corrosion. The maker should
allow something at the commencement. The angle
iron of the unexploded boiler was burst. I do not
attach the slightest importance to the stays in testing
the boiler. I was informed that the boilers had
been proved. Mr. Joyce and the proprietors of
the boat afforded me every facility in examining
the boat. Pressure no greater than one-tenth
of the ultimate strength of the boiler should be used.
Proving a boiler might injure. it by trying it beyond
its strength. I have not tested the boilers of the
locomotives on the Great Western. I believe the
boilers of the express trains undergo a pressure of
100. The iron of the Cricket bore seventeen
tons to the square inch. The Locomotive
bore an average of pressure of 21 and two. thirds—
the utmost was 22 and two-thirds. If I were com-
pelled to use square plates I should have them of a
thickness to bear the entire pressure of the whole
boiler. The tying of the valves would gra-
dually weaken the boiler, and therefore some
allowance must be made in favour of the
maker. I made no experiments on the dome.
The vulnerable part of the boiler 'gave way. If I
were a commercial boiler maker I would not under-
take to construct a boiler to work with closed
safety-valves, neither would I work one. I
am going to make a report to the Board
of Trade. One stay is at each end
of the boiler, and both are inside. If
the engineer periodically tied down the valves, the
boilers must have stood a pressure which it is impos-
sible to calculate. The gauge would not, in such a
case, tictually show the pressure. Many Parties had

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

RICHMOND RACES.—MONDAY.
The Dundas Stakes of 5 sous. each, and 20 added. One
mile and a quarter. (6 Subs.)
Major Yarburgh's Sally Maggs, 3 yrs (Oates) 1
Mr. B. Green's Princess Alice, 4 yrs,— ... 2
Mr. S. L. Fox's Psalmsinger, 5 yrs ... ••• • 3
Mr. W. H. Johnstone's Shelforth, 4 yrs ... ... 4
6to 4 agst Princess Alice, 2 to I agst Sally Maggs,
and 3 to 1 agst Psalmsinger. Won easily by half a length,
The Easby Stakes of 25 sous. each, 15 ft, &c., with 20
added; the second to save his stake. From the Grey
Stone in. (6 Subs., 2of whom paid 5 sovs. each.)
Lord Zetland's Queen of the May, 2 yrs (G. Abdale) 1
Mr. B. Green's bc by The Saddler, 2 yrs .„ ~, 2
6t04 on the Saddler colt. Won in a canter.
The Lord Lieutenant's Plate of 501., added to a Handi-
cap of 10 sovs. each. Once round and a distance.
(14 Subs.)
Mr. T. Dawson's Ulysses, 7st 71b
Mr. S. L. Fox's Executor, 7st 71b
Mr. Johnstone's Enchanter, 7st 71b „
Mr. Harland's Glenwhelt, Est 101 b „,
Mr. Jaques's Sir Martin, Est 101 b „, 5
6to 4 agst Executor, and 2to 1 agst Ulysses. Won
by a length.
The Richmond Handicap of 25 sovs. each, 10 ft, with
70 added; the second to save his stake. Two miles.
(19 Subs., 9 of whom declared.)
Mr. Meiklam's Inheritress, aged, Bst 81b (Templeman) 1
Mr. E. Wright's Sheraton, 4 yrs, ist 21b 2
Mr. Brunton nd Ennui, 4 yrs, 7st „, 3
Lord letland's Coheiress, 6 yrs, 6st 121 b ... 4
6 to 4 on Inheritress, 5 to 2 agst Ennui, and 3 to 1
agst Sheraton. Won easily by two lengths.
The Grand Stand Stakes of 25 sous. each, h ft; for two
yrs old colts. Bst 71b; and fillies, Bst 31b. Grey Stone
in. (6 Subs.)
Mr. Hodgson nd Landrost, alld. 51b (Cartwright) 0 1
Mr. James Cookson's Camphine, allowed 31b ... 0 dr
Lord Normandy's Romi, allowed 31b 3
5 to 4 on Camphine. After a splendid race, which
ended in a dead heat, Landrost walked over.
The Town Plate of 401., added to a Sweepstakes of 5
sovs. each; the second to save his stake. Heats. Two
miles. (5 Subs.)
Mr. S. L. Fox's bc by Jereed ... (G. Abdale) 1 1
Mr. Jaques's Nell Cook, 4 yrs ... ..• 2 2

(Cartwright)

... 2
... 3

Mr. H.-Johnstone's Shelforth, 4 yrs ~.
Won easily by two lengths.
CHESTER AUTUMN MEETING, 1847.
Acceptances for the Chester Handicap.
Sharston, 4 yrs, 7st 31b—Arthur, 5 yrs, 6st 121 b
Master Downes, 5 yrs, 6st 61b—Alliance, 4 yrs, Est 31b
—Sagacity, 3 yrs, Est 31b—St. Leon, 3 yrs, 6st 31b—
Cawroush, 4 yrs, Est 21b—Romance, 4 yrs, fist—Kismot,
4 yrs, 6st—Fair Star, 4 yrs, sst 101b—Christopher, 3
yrs, sst 101b—Alsatia, 3 yrs, sst 101b—Deloraine, 3 yrs,
sst 61b—b fby Don John, out of Prizeflower's dam, 3
yrs, 4st 121 b.
EWMARKET HOUGHTON MEETING, 1847.
TUESDAY.
The match between Van Tromp and The Liberator is
off by consent,

... dis