The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-11-22
Means Of PrevontLng Boiler E9.pIosions.

Eds Cresc5Ht-Tbe recent osions Of steam in
this vicinity have brought many contyanees and fey
Va5 oil Old plans to prsgeRt explosions After was con-
esaed that high pressure boilers could be worked safely
with proper care then came various plans 10 make them
safer. First the LIST, lead plugs invited into holes
made in the boiershes above the fire surface next came
iusDe alloys which would melt at slight increase Of tenn
perauIe above that equivalent the pressure of the steam
in the boiler. Fusibe alloys have entered into large
variety OF arrangements for preventing explosions By the
oer Of the French Government; and also by the Commit
lee on Explosions Of the franklin Institute numerous ex
penments were madewith alloys. We have had advocates
for Floats" Balance Valves-using the expansion of
mefouy and rods of copper arranged as to open valves
TO permit the steam or water to and exnguh the
hfe, ETC. Tetaes," Whsues-lookiug al q steam boiler
and calling nspeCton-LOck-up safety valves and host
Of other things mostly mechanical and in the wish to
make e boiler take car Of tse almost entirely overlook
ing an article called brains, or if you please intellect
IN my nme persons having charge of steam engines
Hgtaetrs-beng paid such salaries would command the
best talent Of the profession and they had the sole control
ana MANAGEMENT of the engines and boilers. How is it
now With some honorable exceptions the nav of the en-
gineer, Il give the tite) is mere pittauee zsnd he ia in
many cases machine in the hands of the Captaiu
and as Young man, little experience mole plant than
one that understands his business thoroughly the latter is
crowded out Again, there class Of who are con
tnualy changing from boat TO another and hey en-
deavoT to make better time than the trip before all defects
in the working of the engines by this class ia remeded By
increasing the pressure OF the steam
Many prudent enRineeIs who understand their business
nave been discharged for not increasing the head steam
IN the boilers at the command Of the Captain. will give
case in point. | personally acquainted with Mr. s
Of the best practical engineers Cnow carrying on large
steam engine Establishment at Philadelphia who was so as
charged some years since, from boat on the Mississippi
river and on her return trip he boilers eTpl0dedlI
Having had during twenty-five yeaB much practical ex
peenoe In working with nearly all the varieties Of steam
boilers. and having also paid much attention TO those cb
have come under my notice aeran explosion satisfied
That IN the greater number Of cases. the explosion of the
boiler was caused by gross neglect ignorance on the part
OF those having charge Of them. l. like other engineers
have had boilers at different times under circumstances in
which all the elements necessary for explosion was pres
ent, but never have had one to occur
VIII now give few directions. (the boilers being as
snmed TO be strong enough to bear the usual working pres
sure with safety which are invaluable to the euEi
neer as they have carried Others, beside mygef safely
through long practice OF these do not include
every thing necessary, but are Of primary Importance
lSt Garry the water high the bOsrwH allow with.
"a. Never increase the pressure Of steam to overcome the
oss Of power by leaks in the joints arrangement OF The
81 r when at landing by any unfoeeseencauss your
water should get too loo in The boiler. AVOID PUMPING N
BY any other dtuIbing the smooth surface of De
allow the boilers 70 cool down below ihsir Working temp5r
atuFe after hi'i done if time is object throw
safety valve and 4 sufficient time has ELAPSED the eYerof
we & az WI gst heavier IN ms case you can set
ply OF water 80 as not to cool the boiler too
which is caused by an Of temperature for you viii
md by eXpenmentng with non ladls heated to ednes
intervals OF time, that as Il cOOls and gets black there
point Of Temperature al which the water flashed instantly
INTO steam, and II u IS BOZ mich this degreG
81 heat and sufficient quantity Of atcr is hrOH in al
one time an explosion IS iReUitabls.
To eoie this already long article permit me TO suggest
(what will be considered innovation by many here that
he furnace ends Of the b0en be G that the engineer
IN duty may have the femen under his eye and the
xaot state Of the fire all times instead Of as il is at pres
mt conveying his orde through tube and guessing how
he fires Many will say that he can see by walking
from 5O to AZ eeD 10 the hole in the cotton bales, etc.
oming part Of the deckoad BY doing this he then has TO
'reak what should be the rule Of every good engineer
never to go out of sight hearing Of his engine"
If have not overtaxed space may some future
line make some remarks the fuuy OF some Of the pTo.
oesed saietyplans connected with this important subject
Respectfully yOuu. A O. JONES,
Over eighteen yeaB Eince al Philadelphia stood lBs
s an advocate tor carrying high in the boie In on
Position @ the theory ilcueated by English books (wisn
enaf engtneess) OF the necessity for large spnca for
,n io0m have exnerimened much this matter and
ieeonnlspd carving high water and have the satis
ehgneeH Of The county, Wv WA