Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-04-18

n SIeain,I n DIYOII
lead TO the conclusion that excessive dangers must at.
'eiid uc generation and use of Perkins stca-rhe
cf! reverse however, experience las proved to be the
ACT ON when account Perkins engine, now nearly II
u,"o'"s nj work, has been named the Safety Steam
engine an appeIaton winch, will be shown, can
s;ruc;od. ' N0''
We sha proceed TO explain the manner in which the
NPosonS OF hoh high pressure aud low PRESSURE steam
ISine oolcIs occur, and the principle adopted by Mr.
IcrKins To Obviatc the danger
=. :" "" pressure steam engines, much improved by
.r'l great Philosophers and mechanic, the late MIR Watt
whose memory the nation has most huuorab.. 70 il,
pest FEELINGS recently COMMUNICATED, steam was rare.
~ ever, employ ed BY him exceeding n pressure of
twenty pounds to the square inch From acciGenta
'''9N' "Oich can scarcely be guarded against in prsc-
Uce S'ich as The safety valves getting out of repair tho
want 81 due supply of water 10 tic boiler, arising
from the Impcrlecton of the pumps or feed pines &C.
INC steam IN low pressure engines has often become
INTO nigh pressure steam suicien; strcnci
~ pn5t tr boiler, and 10 spread devastation All around
hese terrific consequences have originated from part
OF the steam when OF too great expansive force for the
BOILER TO bear, bursting that vessel ard the remaining
steam contained IN the magazine, usually consisting OF
'hu or fourth part of the whole boiler. following up
Inc sock scattcrs the fragments as in the Lstir or
bomb she'll, in all directions.
me power, even, Of exceedingly weak steam. Is
compared with Perkins high steam, may he cxcm2i-
'H rom Inc tact, that part Of boiler which some
time s!nce hutsted in Cornwall! cxcccdnr two ions in
weight was thrGFn clear high house Jioining
Ihe engine hons" and fell hnnc cd yards distance
I'm ke manner piston, of nearly half a ton ,rc;ct
winch had become ionIned in lis cylinder could moi be
started with te greatest mechanical pow or that could
We aPPhod 10 IT. 'tc engine man having heated up
l'S steam 10 MY or sixty pounds pressure to the
men, applied under te pistCr; tie result ras that If
"'e u'c piston from nj! lis strong connections 10 Tic
engine, carried il through tic roof of the house TO-
@ethcr With the engine man anI propelled If several
iumated Yards distance II then, as can be proved by
ndispuabie evidence, hat this cornnarafvcIv well,
l., tr]
determined Discrimination 20 admit the power oF Per
h''s hiGh pressure steam; which, as Already stated
was carried NJ beyond 500 lbs. to the inch were
doubted That it coui! propcl cannon balls with equal
superiority oiorce 10 gunpowdcr as il lid iiere c the
musIct. ~ >''
The usual high pressure engines have been found
"uch mere dangerous than low pressure cngncs; and
III consequence oi the frequent explosions which layc
occurred IN the manufacturing districts yjtn TIE LAST
year. indictments havo been ndiecriininaely frrct
against al high pressure engines. Tie origin Of the
increased danger originates not only from causes sin
lar 10 those arcady enumerated, 20 which low pressure
engines are liable; bat as the steam CinrloycI j.; cnn
Smera'iy beyond 20 lbs 10 The inch, and as cast iron
hoiifs are more commonly used in lioh pressure than
Ia loss r'eas;!re engines 1t is obvious t!:a o lcs,ons
'i inc latter happen ore frequently than oi the former
and that when they do occur, the consequences arc
I usually more destructive.
mir Perkins aroils ali these lougars ~ SUBSTITUTING.
instead OF steam boiler, what hc has Crsic.ua rd y
Steam generator. steam boiler is a very large YES
sci generally made Of copper iron s,icctinr some
uncs OF Gas! iron, containing cG head of water Tor
each morse power, TO DE cxPFCd by the cnrine The
upper third ~ fourth, part of his boiler IS apprcaa
ted as magazine for the reception Of steam Coasc-
GHcny a every square inch Of this immense extent Of
mas lhe pressure OF steam upon il. whatever
that pressure may be- an! as the difficulty OF prcserv.
ing strength IS IN proportion TO the extent CT surface
exposed, hence may readily be accounted for the fre
qlent explosions Of Steam cHgine boilers which have
occuIrcd-Mr. Perkins steam generator consists of
series o! very strong tubes, Of peculiar construction
n D',in I.cCf coll,