The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-28
THE MADIS0NIAN.
BURSTING OF BOILERS.

Mr. Raub's patent for preventing the explosion o
steamboat boilers, is before Congress for adop
ton. His patent is dated 9Th Nov 1886, of which
the following is. an extract:
u claim as my invention, the application OF weight
within the boiler of steam engine which as the wa
ter becomes exhausted shall operate upon The principle
and In the manner herein set FORTH TO open the
safety valve valves, and thus the free escape
OF steam thereby preventing all danger Of explosion
from the undue exhaustion Of the water"
Metropolitan by request, the following articles up
on the same subject, which may perhaps throw some
light upon that very important investigation It may
be well to observe that those articles copied from
the National Intelligencer of - 1888, nearly three
years before the date of Mr.. Raub's patent
Bursting of boilers is attended with as horrible con-
sequences almost be conceived; il necessarily
then becomes subject requiring strict public inyes-
tgation IN order 70 arrive at some of precau-
ton II possible II that most Of the xpIosions
have originated from deficiency Of water in the boiler
i being allowed 10 boil away by neglect until it gets
below the tops Of the furnace and nues before it is re-
plenished When the upper parts ofthe hues and fur
mace are uncovered with water they become red hot
a boiler OF modern constr uctIon, about eleven feet
long, and seven broad when the water is six inches
below the tops Of the hues will give near 10 square
feet Of red hot metal when the vessel is moonless
| and the water quescent, then, if any sudden
ment surges the water this 10 square feet Of red
hot metal, il will instantly flash into immense body
OF steam which must burst the boiler unless it is pro-
dgiously strong II is ascerained by experiment that
one Cubic inch Of water will make Cubic foot Of
steam, when its elasticity is equal to 80 inches of mer
curry II So il becomes matter Of very easy demon
stration Why boilers explode, when large quantity
OF water is quick flash OF lightning converted
into steam. Water, from excessive heat and great
compression will more less elastic form;
in that case, by opening the safety valve il will some
times Immediately rise several inches the ucs should
be red hot, dreful effects may then be anticipated for
the safety valve would be incompetent TO relieve the
boilers.
The danger Of explosion is also much increased by
using cheap bad iron, for boilers which deterorates
very fast from corroslon powerful heat and frequent
sudden cooling.
A boiler Of the above dimensions is calculated to
contain about $50 cubic feet Of good working steam,
but certainly is not capable Of resisting such great
addition Of this powerful expanding force of flash
steam Upon this subject engineers and 6remen can
not be too watchfu Steamboat boilers have often
been known to explode at stopping places more FREE
quently than any where else, because the steam is
suffered to get high The confusion and hustle OF
taking in and landing passengers and freight apt to
direct the attention of the engineer and fremen from
their duty--the water is allowed to boil down, until
the fines become red hothe water gauge is neglected
in the hurry of the scene-the engine is suddenly nut
in motion, and surges the water the red hot ues
and an explosion follows
Trials Of speed now to he matter of great am
bton among steamboats, great ingenuity is used for
the generation OF the most steam, in the shortest time
from the smallest quantity of water effect this the
boilers are filed with uesor tho fues and furnace
filled with steam generators, either Of which will
vert the water into steam with great rapidity From
such large surface of heated metal coming in con-
tract with equal surface of actually altogether
small body of water, good working head of steam is
created in a few minutes.
Water bois away precisely in proportion to the
rapid accumulation of steam. In many boilers the
water is made to boil down from the common standard
guage of about eight inches above the hnes 80 as TO
be below the tops of the ues about fifteen minutes;
this shows the necessity of great attention. A FREE
quent and sudden immersion of red hot metal, inva-
riably tends to make it brittle, and subjects il TO rac-
ture when violent force is instantly exered against
IT, Metal burns away very last, when uncovered with
water Great attention should be bestowed in taking
off the Incrustaon that forms the inner surface OF
the boiler, and keeping it clean in every part but this
becomes extremely difficult from the boilers being
so full of ues and steam generators that many parts
Of the boilers nearly inaccessible This is
Of decay to the boiler which is very difficult to
tain the rapdity of its progress Hence follows great
danger, while people imagine themselves in perfect
safety.
GARDENING the vesses--H Heavily loading them by the
stem the stern, throwing them of an even keel
in any direction, all tends to lay bare certain parts of
the hues in the boiler, the water always seeks its
level, that unless the water is kept uniformly
to its proper standard, there is generally mere
less risk to be appreuended. The speed Of the boat
and the consequent lifting of the bow frequently va
res thewater the after end of the boiler several n-
ches If the water gauges are at that end there may
appear to be abundance of water, but when the boat
stops there will be found a scarcity. Water often
foas in the boiler from various causes, which foam,
when discharged through the gauges, will indicate
water when at the time, for the actual want Of
water, the iues bare; this is phenomenon well
calculated to deceive engineers and firemen, and
quires close attention. 1t is common CUSTOM from
its great venience intrust the regulation of the
water in the boiler to the re-men as the rdfer gauges
close to the furnace DOORS where his station mus, be
throw in fuel the engineers station is generally
distance of, and has the steam gauge by him for his
regulation. The proPriey of committing this very
important trust TO frcmen may well be questioned by
every who knows how much the severity of his
occupation is calculated TO divert the attention from
that close examination of the gauges which is absolute
ly necessary to guard against explosion.
Mr.. Fulton, the great originator of successful steam
boat navigation throughout the world, attached much
Importance to the regulation Of the safety valve
protection against explosion provided all other pars
of the boiler equal precauton observed at the
same time. Overlooking the safety valve ought to be
declared high misdemeaDoror 1t is act OF wlliul
misunderstanding that it endangers all the lives
on board A few years ago, persons were contcnted
to Iun their boats with eight ten inches OF steam
when they had the best of copper boilers; but now
they run them from 10 to 20 inches and have inferior
iron
The present excessive ambition to excel in speed
may be considered one of the principal causes leading
to these dreadful explosions. Another principal cause
is too rigid system of economy, the ProPIetors OBJ
ieclng pay such prices for engineers and remen as
will procure discreet well Informed, and responsible
men, and whose competency would entitle them to be
| placed more Independent of the captains
Perhaps would be well for Congress to establish
Board of Commissioners examine into the qualifca-
tons Of engineers and that others should be
employed but those who had the diploma or certificate
! of the Board.
The recent blowing up of the steamboat Gen. Jack
son. evidently shows the tremendous power OF steam
! She complete wreck, and presented an appaIl-
ing of havoc and determination. This proves
w6a, prodgious engines of destruction steamboats, are
propelled by. The people, therefore for their own
safety have right TO inquire into the mode OF con