The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-10
The Hague Street Catnst rophe-The Danger
OF Stationary Steam Engines.

OF Stationary Steam Engines.
The heartTending casualty In Hague street, last
week, suggests, with lamentable impressiveness,
the necessity Of some action with respect 10 the
and abuse Of stesm-boers in cities, as well in
STEAMBOATS, II was not till long after the public
mind had been distressed by the narratives Of fear
full aud destructive explosions, and by a serious
loss Of human life, that any direction was gwen TO
the voice Of the people on the propriety OF obvi-
atng such disasters. Finally, however, from the
frequent and appalling sccidents-in most cases
attributable TO negligence or Ignorance In some
quarter-Congress did take up the matter, and
established certain regulations for the inspection
Of steamboats, and their boilers. These regulations
are needed in some measure; but there is too much
reason to believe that in many cases, the inspec-
tors are too ready 10 give certificates. The ex-
plosion Of the boiler OF the Huntress, at Portland,
last year, though happily without destroying life;
that of the boiler Of the Halifax, on the kennebec
river, a few months anterior, when several lives
were lost, and one two other like casualties, re-
Gently, on Northern and Southern waters, show that
there is still something detective in the economy
and management Of these magazines Of power
The accident that is now exciting the public mind
is not solitary instance Of the explosion OF stand
ing engine in this country. In this CITY, IN 1880,
two persons were killed by the explosion at Nc
Queens foundry, corner Of Cross and Duane
streets. That casually was caused by the neglect
of the engineer TO supply the boiler with water. Ia
England there have been many similar explosions
OF standing engines, few Of which we cite, TO
show the absolute necessity there is for some regu
lations Of these engines.
AT IIaiwell a fatal explosion took place in 1s3S
The boiler burst, with loud crash, destroying the
house in moment. One person kiled-verdict,
everything, in consequence Of the steam being low
About the same penod there was an explosion at
Newton.in-tho- Willows The steam and water
burst through the fue Of the boiler, and carried
part Of the building and the furnace forty yards;
feven lives sacrificed. Near Remington Common,
London, in the same year, boiler burst, carrying
the engine house into the street, and knocking
down wall al distance Of fifty feet no life lost In
January, lS6. att pper Ession, Bristol, boiler
nearly thirty.iive feet in circumference, weighing
three four TONS literally carried through the
roof Of the building, over an adjoining shop. and
into field, eighty yards distant. A shower Of
rafters, brIcks, tiles, and stones, accompanied the
explosion. Three persons persisted by this acci-
dent, caused by trying hc strength o. the boiler,
affo repairs he'd been made
Having cited instances sufficient 10 show the
danger Of these engines, we are led to estimate the
number Of standing boilers in this State. In 1879
there wers eghty-nine and, at the present time,
are probably not less than Elk or seven hundred. \
AL Of them, however small, are dangerous, and |
require the closest inspection. They should al !
ways be IN careful hands, and never entrusted to
ignorant persons or TO boys. A law, founded on !
the experience Of the past, should be enacted, with
wholesome provisions for their regulation and the
publication, by the state, OF an Engineers Practi-
cal Manual, would be servcesbe in many ways /
and IN no way more than in inducing sober and /
intelligent men TO qualify themselves for the engi-
neer's profession. Some thing, Il Is evident, must
be cone to protect life and property from the hazard
Of these magazines, Of which we have about two
hundred in this city alone
In the Herald viii be found the report Of the In-
vesiigaiion by the Jury Of Inquest. With the re-
suite OF that inquiry, at present, we have nothing
20 do; but we may be of service 10 society, by
pointing out the principal theories (or,en vague and
unsatisfactory usualy entertained in regard 10 ex-
plosions. They are az follows
Injury 10 boilsrs from heat ana supposed dsacieucy
sudden generation Of steam BY the snu,ioa Of water
en- bcilsrs thss heated.
Supposed generation Of explosive gases in the boiler
Recklsssnsss Of engineers.
lgporsDce a engineers.
lntoriceti0n.
Ipsureisnt strength in boilers for the duties psrns-
nsnty demands IN consequence Of uhich tue defects
~ the mserisi concealed fracture, deficiency Of ~ats
er rgpsral want Of strength have become destructive
18th 18th common and extrs degrees q pressure.
To these theories there is one exception made by
ell uuly scientific men-the supposed generation Of
explosive compounds in the boilers. To our know
edge, there has been no proof Of the resolving OF
water into ITS constituent elements The causes,
usually Of these accidents to be referred TO the
other theories; and there Ne question that all the
gauges used, unless they are miautely end con
l. l.. e.