The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-13 00:00:00

valves were put on. I did not hear that they

were put on in consequence of stop valves having
been fitted. Ido not know of my own know-
ledge the diameters of the government or
working valves. I was present when Lhe govern-
ment inspector, Mr Galloway, examined the boilers.
I assisted him in examing the valves of the star-
board boiler. I lifted the weights, unscrewed the
nuts, and lifted the top of the valve box off. In my
opinion the result was not satisfactory, as the valve
was set fast in its seat. I did not see the state of the

government safety-valves after the explosion, they
were gone with the top of the boiler. I was present
when the port boiler valve was examined on the
following day. The rod of the valve was bent for-
ward, from the effects of the explosion, I suppose.
On the top of the valve box being removed I did
not see the valve in its seat, I cannot say whether
it was in its seat or not. If the valve had been
raised the bend would not have been as it now is ;
it would have been lower. It was bent above the
valve-box altogether. The drawing produced (by
Captain Robertson) is a correct state of the lever
and the valve. I did not examine the lever when
the government surveyor was on board. Since the
explosion I have looked at the shell of the boilers
and the stays. I have not seen a piece of the boiler
which the surveyor took away. I don't think the
port boiler,,from what I have seen of it, would burst
at a pressure of 151bs. I would not give a definite
opinion upon it, but I think not. I should think
201bs. was not too great a pressure. The boiler never
showed any symptoms of weakness. The thickness
of the boiler plate, I think, was 2-„ of an inch, and.
the shell about 14 inch. Some boilers are thicker,
but I have seen plenty at bof an inch. I should
think the Tonning's boiler well qualified to bear a
pressure of 151bs. I have seen the port valve sines
it has been taken out. I have looked at the rim of
it. It is perfectly smooth. If it had been in good
working condition, and steam had passed round it,
the edges would have been marked by a dark
colour. This was the case as far as I know. Sup-
posing even the starboard valve had been fast, if the
other valves had been open there would, I think,
have been sufficient escape.
By Mr. Pearse—l was engaged by Reay, the
chief engineer, and I and Reay have worked the en-
gines ever since with the exception of a few voyages.
The
_chief engineer of the City of Norwich was in
the Tonning about four months since, and worked.
the engines a few voyages. I Lad been in the
engine-room on the morning of the explosion from
two o'clock till eight. During that time nothing
wrong attracted my attention. Reay came on duty
at eight o'clock. We had breakfast, and T was last
in the engine-room about nine o'clock. I then
neither heard or saw anything wrong. Ido not
know how long the starboard valve had been set
fast in its seat. It might have been a couple of days.
I cannot give an opinion as to whether it was set
fast when I left off duty. The port valve was
working, I believe, when I left off. It is usual to
close valves before starting engines. I remember
our ship laying up in London for a week. The ex-
amination of the working valves took place before
that. The ship was laid up ten weeks or a couple
of months since. Ido not see how the chief engi-
neer could examine the valves by getting into the
boilers, and I don't know of its having been done.
It is usual for engineers to examine the working-
valves every voyage. It was the chief engineer's
duty, and he always took it upon himself. I believe
he. did perform this part of his duty. I never com-
plained to the chief engineer of any defect in the
engines or boilers ; it was not my duty, and I never
considered it necessary. If I had been going to start
the engine, and there was 141 b or 151 b pressure, I
should have closed the port valve. I never while
on duty on the morning of the explosion saw steam
escaping freely from the waste steam pipe.
The examination of this witness was proceeding
when our parcel was despatched.
At the close of the sitting the inquiry was ad-
journed for three weeks.