The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-04

DOller. In the shell OF tfe Dollef ne noticed
Of indentations made by the riyets OF one of the
other boilers. This fact struck witness very sin
gular The wrought-iron head of the boiler
torn He examined the pieces OF boiler and found
that there difference of thickness in the metal
The thickness ranged above and below quarter Of
an inch. Thinks the boilers in good order,
and supposes them 10 have been five or six years
old. Considered of them TO be defective in the
making. The inside edge of the plate had been
bevelled off, to leave too little substance be-
tween the edge and the rvets The line Of fractures
in the different parts is most Of It through the solid
sheet, not following the ne Of rivets, but crossing
them. Some of the rivet holes were torn out. Wit
ness thinks the explosion was caused by an insufii
cheney OF water in one or more Of the boilers.
Does not believe that they all exploded at the same
instant. Thinks they followed each other in rapid
succession The indentations spoken Of in the
pieces of boiler would not have been deep II the
boiler had not been too much heated. He often no
tced in collapsed iues that where the heads Of the
rivets had come against the sheet, they had made
indentations, but never before the same in the
shell The piece ofboler at the of Canal
must have been overheated, as it must have taken
about 500 degrees of heat to melt the lead on the
chock joints. With $50 pounds OF steam To the
square inch the temperature of the boiler is about
$50 degrees. Witness has carried high as 800
pounds TO the square inch on IA locomotive. Judging
from the appearance Of the boiler at the of
Canal street, it would not have exploded with less
than 300 pounds of direct PRESSURE the steam being
gradually increased Under peculiar crcum-
stances, where the steam generated instantly,
rupture might take place under tiat pressure.
Cold or moderately warmed water, when thrown
into u heated boiler, will go into steam like flash.
one part of boiler may become unduly heated even
with the best care. The iron used generally for
boilers ON the river is about a quarter of an inch in
thickness. Has boilers that had not been used
more than month, which he would not consider
safe, and has seen others perfectly good after ten
years Does not consider age a good test.
Their safety depends on their management. Boilers
used on the Mississippi wear out more rapidly than
those used on other rivers. They would last longer
If stationary. Considersit the duty of the engineer
to be near his engines when boat is about to start,
and to see that all is right. The most important
duty is the ofthe boilers. Thinks the arrange
ment on the Mississippi defective as the furnace
end Is in front. They should be aft so that the
gineer could at all times the state of the fires
IL Is the duty OF the engineer to try the gauge cock
frequently, particularly while raising steam. The
temperature OF redhot iron is about 500 degrees.
Has been an engineer high pressure boat.
Brought one out from Philadelphia. 1t is necessary
for the second engineer to be competent to take
charge OF the engines, he has sole charge Of them
portion of the time. The engineers department
Is generally under his sole control. Under certain
circumstances an engineer Is obliged To leave his
post, and there is no imprudencc in leaving the
gincss in charge of the second engineer, when he
has the reputation of being competent man.
Capt. ". WaH.--Has been engaged on the river
as master of steamboat for about ten years.
Never heard that Capt Cannon was in the habit of
carrying too much steam. But few captains
dertake to control the engineers in regard to the
amount of steam they may carry.
l.. n. Chapman.-Has been engaged on the river
as an engineer ten or twelve years Was four
years on the river before he had charge of an en-
CINE. Had worked in foundry previously Most
OF the boilers made of 10th iron, and will bear
about $50 pounds to the square inch. The pressure
generally carried is about $50 pounds. This is
called standing weight Extra weight is often car
ried. Thinks 200 pounds safe pressure when
the boat is under way. Would not think when
the boat was lying still An engineer might have
that pressure on without knowing it. Thinks
are hnil in do.
years old. There is nothing strange in the fact Of
hrst engineer going ashore and leaving the en-
gines in charge of his assistant The captain has
control over the engineer in regard to the
amount OF steam he may get up.
DEFENCE.
. l.. X hemy.-ls notary public in Lafayette.
Was at his office at the time ofthe explosion. John
L. Smith was at his Office about that time transact
ing some business with him.
Mr.. Fulior.-Resides in Lafayette. Knows John
L. Smith Saw him on the Stock Landing in that
place about dusk on the evening the Louisiana
ploded. He was waiting for the Louisiana to come
up. Witness had heard of the explosion, and
mentioned it in presence of Smith, The latter was
astonished, and unwilling to believe it. He left
the place where witness was, to see gentleman
who had witnessed the explosion.
Josiah Lopen.-Is inspector Of boilers for this
port. Inspected the boilers of the Louisiana ON the
18th of June last Gave a certificate that they
We're In good condition. Steamboats, are required
TO have such certificate renewed every six months.
Has examined the fragments Of the boilers. Did
not find them faulty. From all appearance he
would have given a certificate had he inspected
them the evening before they exploded. The three
boilers which were taken from the Dallas were new
in the fall Of lS43. From information derived from
the captain and engineer, he thought the other
boiler, which came out of the Memphis was as
good if not better, than the three and he gave GER
thcate that they all good. Witness know
ledge of the age of the boilers from the Dallas was
derived from the certificate of another inspector
from another State Has known a boiler 10 be burnt
out in trip, and has seen boilers ten or twelve
years old perfectly good
Capt Uiiiam Berry.-Is captain Of a steamboat;
has been engineer for fifteen or twenty wears;
knows Clinton Smith, second engineer of the Lou
siana, by reputation, which is that of sober steady
man and competent engineer. Not customary for
captains To NEEDLE with their engineers in the per
formance of their duty. Has known Capt Cannon
eight or ten years; knows that lac is considered one
Of the most prudentnicn on the river
Capt. HW.-Has known Clinton Smith since he
(Smith) was boy Of fourteen. Smith worked in
foundry at Louisville two three years and was
on the river, a second engineer, six or eight
years, some Of the best boats ON the river, and
considered by most competent engineers as one of
the most prominent young men in his profession.
Never was on the same boat with Smith; but heard
Mcssrs Brewster, Ferguson & Co. give him most
excellent character as a man and as an engineer.
Smith was n striker, assistant engineer, ON the
Medora when che blew up. Has known Capt. Can
non eight or ten years. has steamboatcd with him;
considers him a careful, competent officer.
The court then adjourned 10 Monday, the Goth
instant at O'Clock, p. m, TO continue the exami-
nation Of witnesses.