Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-06-19

bined in the scheme, the committee have
considered it chiefly. if not exclusively, in
reference to its comparative safety, or ex-
emption from the danger of explosion.
1t seems to be point conceded by sci
entific observers, that among the primary
causes OF explosion in steam boilers, one
OF the most prominent may be traced to
the want of constant and regular supply
of water, while the engine is in action.
The usual means employed, as the COM
mittee have been advised, both for supply
ing the consumption of the boiler, and for
|ascertaining the quantum Of water in that
receptacle, are inadequate and uncertain
The forcing pump is liable to arrangement
and when the water has fallen so low as to
lsuperinduce the circumstances of danger,
neither the common guage cock, nor the
common safety valve, can be relied on fer
an accurate indication Of the state of things
so essential to be known. By the plan
submitted, these defects appear to be rene
died. A constant and uniform supply Of
water, and test water guage, indicating
to the eye, at any moment, the precise lev
ell Of the fluid in the boiler, form part Of
the moiorations suggested
But what appears to the committee to be
I the distinguished feature of the plan is.
that it contemplates the employment Of the
steam at any given pressure, without a
corresponding stress on the boiler. This
result is attained by generating the steam
at very moderate pressure on the boiler,
| from whence il is conveyed for use, to one
or more receivers, in which, before it is ap-
piled as the momentum to the engine, il
may be raised, by fues heated from sep
arate furnace, to any required degree Of
elasticity,
The committee are of opinion, that if
the scheme be feasible, of which they do
not doubt, il must ofitself be all important
step towards the grand desderatum. Con
fined in separate reservoir, not in imme-
date connection with the boiler, the steam,
however rariied, would not be liable to be
suddenly injected with water, process
which all concurring experience proclaims
to be proximate cause ofrany ofthe dread
tul accidents that have occurred.
The form and position of the contem-
plated receiver is believed to present an
other condition of security. Placed verlI-
cally on the deck, with different chambers
or compartments connected by valves. the
steam at its greatest tension naturally rush
ing through the valves into the upper cham
bers of the recipient, if ever explosion
should take place it would be mere efu-
sion of steam, and not Of heated water;
and the discharge would be upwards, into
the open air, leaving untouched the pas
sengers and property in the vessel.
There are other particulars in the me-
chansm, OF the usefulness of which prac-
teal engineers are alone competent to form
an accurate estimate. 1t will suffice to
say, that as a whole, the committee CON
slder the conrivance as rejecting credit
on the science an ingenuity of the propri-
Ietor, and that his plan is worthy of full
and fair experiment.
On the question as TO the power and the
expedlency of aid and cooperation on the
part of the government in experiments of
the kind, the committee have come to an
affirmative conclusion When it is con
sidercd how intimately the subject matter
connects itself with the general welfare,
looking to the protection Of the lives and
property of the whole people, that it in
wolves considerations of naval and nation
al defence, as well as the general interests
OF commerce; it is not thought that any
valid opposing argument can be drawn
from the.wa of power, much less can OBJ
lection be raised on the score of policy.
The committee have thought proper to
recommend small sum to be placed at
the disposal of the secretary of the navy
to ties. the Improvements in this branch.
1t rs believed that reasonable expenditure
of the public money for this object, would
coincide with the universal sense, and meet
The applause of the nation. The knowl.
edge of the mode of controlling and direct
ing with safety This powerful, blu, hitherto
dangerous agent in the affairs of men
would be cheaply purchased a. the cos
Of millions.
UNITED STATES BANK,
Mr.. EVERETT, from the minority of tht
committee, appointed to Investigate the af
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