Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-12-03
Secretary of fhe Treasury.

INTERRoGAToRIES IN RELATION TO THE
 BURSTING OF STEAM BOILERS.
 1. 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 colapsing of flue; or have you been made acquainted, by other means, with the facts in any such case? If so, in what case?
 3. 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 flue, what was the difference between the height of its upper side and that of the lower gague cock?
 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?
 z. Was there any ncrustation or sediment found at the bottom of the boiler? Ifso, what was it's thickness and compositione
 8. In what part was the boiler rent, and whatwasthe appearance and extent ofthe rent!
 9. If the bursting happened to the boiler of a steamboat, was the boat under way, or ar rest9 Was the valve opene If so, how long be- fore the accident? Was it opened by the En- gineer, or by pressure?
 TO- Was the piston going at it's usual speed, or faster, or slower?
 II. Had the firemen found any unusual diff 'iculty Tn keeping up the motion of the engine previous to the bursting of the boiler; and if so, how long before9
 12. Do the iron boilers used in the Western uPn lota caIra in crustation at the bottom9 If so, have any or what means been used, with success, to pre- vent it9
 13. Is it observed that when there is sc- diment or incrustation on the bottom of the boiler, it require 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 in crustation on the bottom of boilers; and, if so, what effect has been observed?
 15. Have any means been employed to prove steam boilers before they are used or afterwards, and what pressure has usually been applied to iron ofa given thickness? 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 it,
 17. What means are used to prevent the fire from the fire place and fue from extend ing to the boat?
 IS. Have you ever seen steam boilers heat ed to a red heat on the upper side? If so, is such a 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 bolers If so, what are they? e...o o1
 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 of persons 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 boate
 21. Have you ever observed the piston to move irregularly, for few minutes, or for 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 irregularity; and, if so, how it was accounted for?
 g. To what immediate cause have you at tributed the bursting of the steam boilers, which have come within your knowledge?
 g. 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, = - n - 7----