The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-26
COMMUNICATIONS.
ron the MADsoslAs.
For THE MADsokhN..
PREVENTION OF STEAMBOAT ACCT
DENTS. 49,

tude for The action Of Congress, In adopting some
measures 10 prevent the disastrous catasIrophies
which have so Frequently occurred on our waters by
the bursting or collapsing Of Sieamboa, boilers, !
take the liberty OF suggesting preventive, instead
Of fines and penalties, which that honorable body
have Thought proper 10 impose on the owners and
officers Of steamboats, which hereafter may destroy
the lives OF their passengers by the bursting or col
| lapsing OF their boilers.
An ounce of preventive has ever been consi-
dered worth pound Of cure. lt.
That steamboats, may convey passengers with as
much safety 10 their lives and properly, as owboat
any vessel with sails waited by light and halcyon
breezes through smooth and unobstructed channel,
may be demonstrated to the satisfaction of every
person who Is acquainted with the nature and power
Of steam. Suppose The boiler Il steamboat is con-
struced 10 bear the condensed accumulation Of steam
the gauge of fhy If the boat is intended TO carry
sieam in her trips with passengers TO the gauge
of 80, she ought before being put upon such duty,
40 perform trip, say Of 20 80 miles, with steam
slowly or moderately generated up to the gauge of
A. and like distance her return the boiler be-
ing cooled down, with steam rapidly generated TO
the gauge of 40. The effect Of heat slowly or ra-
pdlp, produced on all metallic substances Is too well
understood TO require any philosophical or chemical
description from me. The sudden expansion Of
boiler. by rapidly generated steam, wouldproduce
weakening effect on the metallic body to that Of
slow generated slea al least as 40 toH2. Alter the
strength of the boiler has been fully ascertained by
commissioners or officers, appointed BY Congress
otherwise, TO perform such duty, such boat ought
never TO be propelled by steam with passengers al
guase more than ihree-foufths elevated TO that of
lhe first trial OF the strength of the boiler The
maximum point Of elevation Of the guage ought to
be written or described BY a line. The counter yes
sci containing The cold water 6us h also 10 be guaged
as to the minimum, point 10 which the water ought
ever to be reduced in quantity. This boiler requires
| The undivided attention Of an engineer qualified in
every respect TO the discharge Of such an all impor
tant duty possessing experience in addition TO dis
terminating mind, good recollection, and steady
habits. 0nthe mississippi and other streams and wa
tiers which, freR several causes, are apt TO produce
an interpolation n 4he bottom and sides Of the boiler,
alsa'an engineer well qualified oughtto be appointed
to attend and cleanse the boilers As many more
steamers have been lost from the two last causes as
those which have gwen way under too great pres
! sure of ssear1. The water in the counter vessel
should never be reduced in quantity within given
distance OF the minimum guage OF mark, which
mus also be described by line or writing, os'both.
/ There are several minor points haveleh I'M
touched TO be supplied as circumstances may die
tate, .. 49,. .&,
Let system like this, or more efficient one on
similar plan be adopted in the management OF seam
boats steam vessels within the waters of the United
States, and my word for it, the bursting coapSing
of boiler by steam will be an occurrence as rare as it
| is now frequent The lives OF our citizens will no
longer be put into jeopardy for The want Of those
easy and efficient means which are now profered
for the and benef, Of the citizens Of this country
and every other country where steam is employed
to propc! vessels woald also remark thatthe
or cold water vessel, we'll as the gauge of the
steam boiler, ought TO be accessible all times 10
the view and observation Of the passengers and it,
by neglect OF the engineer the guage of the steam be
too much elevated, or the water in the counter, or
cold water vessel be reduced in quantity below the
described mark or line recourse must or may be
! had to the second officer commanding such steamer,
and If application him should prove abartive that
/ he be liable 10 penalty for such neglect Every
steamer TO be supplied with at least two boats kept
in the best order for use, amply sufficient TO carry
every soul board strong buit and constructed in
| the best possible manner TO ride out storm Those
plying coasts like the Pulaski and others, and
those on our lakes, 10 have their boats decked with
.hatchways and sails, &c. &c, Tor the protection and
safety OF the passengers in case Of disaster The
expense Of such boats would be trfe, and the tow
ing of one or even two would not diminish thespeed
ola steamer much as she would gain by having
certain described guage up 10 which she would be
| propelled. 49,. (,
The commissioners officers to inspect the steam
ers, to be composed of the Aldermen or Common
Council Of the city village which such steamer
belongs with the addition Of three Of the best eff
cient and practical operatives in metal, and three
ship builders OF equal responsibility and capacity in
their vocation. Those boats owned in unincorpo-
rated villages or towns, 10 be inspected by the Off
GERS or commissioners of The nearest incorporated
city or village. After a favorable report of said
commissioners To the Mayor President of such city
or village, it shall be his duty to give icence,
stating the good condition and perfect safety Of each
steamer to carry passengers that she has gone
| through regular inspection in every respect, and
particularly 10 her boiler, which is gagged as 10
the maximum poin, to which The steam can be raised
for carrying passengers, and the minimum point of
the cold water vessel All the foregoing duties 10 be
performed gratuitouSly for the public benefit and
safety II shall be the duty Of five commissioners,
which number will form board TO give notice in a
public journal that they will be ready al given day
10 inspect all steamboats, or steamers within their u
risdiction In the northern middle and western states,
after the waters clear of ice as possible
the owners or captain Of any steamer shall have a
right 10 apply to apply TO said commissioners for The
immediate inspection Of their vessel, whose duty ~
shall be 70 attend Immediately to such application
l, may no, be improper in the present instance To
give briefly an explanation of the different princ-
pies in the action of steam upon a metallic body by
which bursting may be produced or collapse take
In hp If Sina I,ip lie