Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-11-12

INTERRoGAToRIEs IN RELATION TO THE
 BURSTING OF STEAM ROLLERS.
 l. Are you acquainted with the nature and use of Steam Engines? In what employment have you been engaged? Were you present, and in what capacity, at the bursting ot any steam boiler, or colapsing of iue; or have you been made acquainted, by other means, with the facts in any such case? Ifso, in what case?
 9. In that case, was the water in the boiler above the gague cocks? Ifnot, at what height compared with the lower gague cock?
 3. If the boiler contained Hue, what was the difference between the height of its upper side and that of the lower gague cock9
 4. What was the weight per square inch on the safety valve,
 5. Had the safety valve ever been found rusted or sticking in the aperture, or was it so at the time?
 6. Had that part of the boiler above the water ever been heated to red heat, or ap- preaching thereto?
 7. Was there any incrustation or sediment found at the bottom of the boiler? 1fso, what was its thickness and composition'
 8. In what part was the boiler rent, and whatwasthe appearance and dextent ofthe rent? 9. If the bursting happened to the boiler of steamboat, was the boat under way, or at rest? Was the valve open! If so, how long be- fore the accident. Was it opened by the En- gineer, or by pressure'
 10. Was the piston going at its usual speed, or faster, or slower!
 II. Had the firemen found any unusual diff fculty Tn keeping up the motion of the engine previous to the bursting of the boiler; and if so, how long before?
 12. Do the iron boilers used in the Western waters generally accumulate calcareous in- rructat,on at the bntfOn> If have any or what means been used, with success, to pre- vent itl
 13. Is it observed that when there is sc- diment Or incrustation on the bottom of the boiler, it requires more fire than usual to raise the steam; and how often is the sediment re- moved, and by what means9
 IA. Are any means used for preventing in crustation on the bottom of boilers; and, if so, what effect has been observeds
 Is. Have any means been employed to prove steam boilers before they are used or afterwards, and what pressure has usually been applied to iron of given thickness9 Are the proofs made when the iron is cold or hot? 16 Is there any instrument employed tc ascertain the temperature of the boiler above the water, or of the steam in the upper part of the boiler? If so, what is it?
 17. What means are used to prevent the fire from the fire place and fiue from extend ing to the boat?
 18. Have you ever seen steam boilers heat ed to red heat 'on the upper side? If so, il such temperature regarded as cause of ex ploding the boiler?
 1o. Have any means been used in the con struction of boilers or fire places to proven the heating of the upper part of the boiler If so, what are they?
 20. How many persons were scalded b, steam, and at what distance was each iron the boiler? At what distance from the boile was the steam supposed to be hot enough t scald? Was the current of steam from tl rent in the boiler instantaneous, or did it con tinue for some time, and how long? Wha number of persons were wounded by the part of the boiler or machinery, which were dri ven off by the explosion, and what position did each of such persons occupy in the boat
 21. Have you ever observed the piston t move irregularly, for few minutes, or for few strokes, alternately faster or slower thai its usual speed, without perceiving any chang in the resistance to the paddles, or any othe obvious cause for such irregularity; and, so, how it was accounted for?
 22 To what immediate cause have you at tribnted the bursting of the steam boilers which have come within your knowledge?
 g. Are there any other facts within you knowledge in relation to this subject, whcl appears to be important in the present inqui ry! Ii so, please to state them!
 oJ To be published twice a week, until the first day December next in the papers authorized publish the law
 MATTRESSES, &C.