Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-11-05

INTERRoGAToRIEs IN RELATION TO THE
 BURSTING OF STEAM BOILERS.
 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 of any steam boiler, or collapsing of flue; or have you been made acquainted, by other means, with the facts in any such case? If so, in what case?
 2. In that case, was the water in the boiler above the gague cocks? lfnot, at what height compared with the lower gague cock?
 3. If the boiler contained 1ue, what was the difference between the height of its upper side and that of the lower gague cocke
 4. What was the weight per square inch on the safety valve?
 ,. 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 thereto2
 z. Was there any incrustation or sediment found at the bottom of the boiler? Ifso, what was its thickness and compositions?
 8. In what part was the boiler rent, and whatwasthe appearances and extent ofthe rent9 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 pressures
 10. Was the piston going at its usual speed, or faster, or slower?
 II. Had the firemen found any unusual diff fculty Tn keeping mp 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 .I,%u crustation at the bottom? If so, have any or what means been used, with success, to pre- vent it9
 IS. Is it observed that when there is a 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 means?
 IA. Are any means used for preventing iii- crustation on the bottom of boilers; and, if so, what effect has been observed9
 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 thicknesss Are the proofs made when the iron is cold or hot?
 16. Is there any instrument employed to ascertain the temperature of the boiler above the water, or of the steam in the upper part of the boiler? If so, what IS iti
 IT, What means are used to prevent the fire from the fire place and flue from extend ing to the boat?
 18. Have you ever seen steam boilers heat ed to red heat 'on the upper sides If so, is such temperature regarded as a cause of ex- ploding the boiler?
 19 Have any means been used in the con- struction of boilers or fire places to prevent the heating of the upper part of the boiler? If so, what are they?
 20. How many persons were scalded by steam, and at what distance was each from the boiler? At what distance from the boiler was the steam supposed to be hot enough to scald? Was the current of steam from the rent in the boiler instantaneous, or did it con- tinue for some time, and how long? What number ofpersons were wounded by the parts 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 to move irregularly, for few minutes, or for a few strokes, alternately faster or slower than its usual speed, without perceiving any change in the resistance to the paddles, or any other obvious cause for such irrcgularity; and, if so, how it was accounted for?
 g. To what immediate cause have you att tributed the bursting of the steam boilers, which have come within your knowledge!
 23. Are there any other facts within your knowledge in relation to this subject, which appears to be important in the present inqui- ry! If so, please to state them?
 G To be published twice week, until the first day of next in the papers authorized publish the laws