New-York daily tribune., 1846-12-26
Steamboat Atlanfic-Causeso of her
nosrrucfirn.

Inc following COInHlunlcElIoH as " III oc see'''
was addressed to the American Institute by JOHN
D. WARD, Esq an old member of that Association
Mr. Ward is practical Steam Engine con
structor of the highest character. Nothing comes
from his hands which, not finished with the most
conscientious care and scrupulous attention in
every part so as to answer the purposes Tor which
it may be constructed His ideas on the causes
OF the recent affecting disaster are so impartial
deliberate, and so much 10 the purpose, so deserv
ing Of attention and consideration, that We have
great pleasure in make The Tribuuc the channel OF
their communication to the public.
T B. WAxEMAS Elq Cor. SCI. Of The An hs''nne
SIR As the American Institute has hitherto eynced
sudsbe anxiety ascertain the causes OF the hume
accidents which have occurred On board steam ves
sells with view dfuse such information among the
travelling portion of the community as should tend TO
lessen their frequency and as ! presume the same
praisewor,hy motives st influence lis proceedings
take the liberty OF addressing you respecting the cause
OF the late wreck OF the steamboat ATLANTIC hoped
that among the survivors, who had charge OF
the steam engine, would have given the public iui
statement OF the facts in relation the bursting OF the
ckest or steam Pip1 for the published accounts
OF the disaster mention both without stating any cir
cuuStdDCes Nncl can tuAs1c even pen 81"
with such matters 10 determine which part gave way.
This however is rey important in solving the ques-
ton. Jl6at ra. ifo primGry Of he disaster -
To this perhaps ninety.n in every hundred would
reply The furious Storm Bu, this certainly s not sat
slactory The Atlantic herself experienced no
extraordinary difficulty account OF the storm until
her motive power ceased 10 act: and nearly quite
all the steamboats, about New ork and the Sound
nued their regular u?s during the first eish, hours
which elapsed betwcen the explosion and the final de-
strucuon of the vessel Nor the bursting Of steam
chest or steam pipe the aayy cause OF the wreck for
that, OF itself produced injury to the yessel-she
was jus, sound after the explosion ss before it-us,
as able 10 wit--tand the force of the storm she
would have been il the engine had stopped for want OF
coal to feed the fires.
The primary cause then OF the disaster, or that
which gave opportunity tor sl the other existing or
subsequent causes 10 sct was beyond all controversy
very great ana improper pressure OF steam 1t may
perhaps be said that the steam chest weak and
nsuiticient-ihat il was Insufficient To withstand the
pressure which I, subjected ls proved BY the
event but that il ~,ak not shown, nor can il
reasonably be SO Inferred 1t probably strong
that part usually made by the makers and on5
happened be weaker than the boilers at the time
of the explosion.
simple statement OF the case then is, that an i'm
proper pressure of steam caused explosion which
disabled the engine The engine being useless and the
anchors insufficient the vessel At the mercy OF the
wind The wind drove the vessel upon rocky shore
where she went 10 pieces and the passengers were
drowned. This event adds another proof TO the many
have heretofore had of the importance of building
and managing steam engines in such wsy to rdke
assurance donbty and take bond Of FAR TOR their
SAFE and regular performance of the work 10 which
they are spilled and especially when tina, work is Of
such character that slight failure may place hun
ircds OF valuable lives in jeopardy Had key or pin
bolt failed in the engines OF the Great Western
during the severe gale which the encountered her
outward voyage in September last probably not soul
Id have survived TO tel the tale OF her loss. Il Will
add materially the safety OF the travelling commune
" when each traveller is able isorm himself OF the
characters the vessels and engines which offered
Tor his conveyance and Judge correctly OF the skill
and caution which employed in their management
Then gnJfauce and recklessness viii cease 10 receive
tha, patronage which properly belongs only skill in
dustry and prudence.