The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-11

experience and observation OF navgaors and enginees,
well the experiments OF the learned all eoacur IN
pointing TO certain evidence which precedes
such disasters and II these proofs OF danger season.
ably noticed and the progress towards fatal catastrophe
averted, may be, II will greatly diminish, II not put
end TO- such occurrences Most explosions are accom-
panied by evidence indicating unmistakable cause al
work 10 produce them but escape the
closest observation These causes may be elsssed as io
lows:
First The use of unsuitable material for the constTuc.
ton OF boilers The broken fragments ot IRON frequently
disclose this fact.
Second. The form OF the boiler may be unsuitable, or
the work kmanship unfaiihful The form should be such
the greatest strength sustained by the best
workmanship and when either or both are faulty the
boilers will probably fail
Third Negligence or unskiliulness IN the use oil the
boilers.
Under the first OF these heads many proofs have been
furnished OF iron wrought into boilers wholly nnsued
for such purposes, and not only liable to give way but
almost certain do so Bad material 10 often used IN
the manufacture. and the iron fails from that cause The
material is also impertecty worked and being sometimes
heated with mineral instead OF charcoal, is not much
superior iron indeed iron has often been
used for boiler heads Again, the plates are rolled too
thin for the size Of the boilers il packed, are moi
thoroughly united by welding.
AS remedy for such of these mperfec,ons as arise
from bad material and the imperfect manufacture OF ron
the bill provides for the inspection OF all boiler ron and
obids the working into boilers any not inspected The
inspectors satisfy themselves that the plates which
they approve equal in quality to the best kind oil iron
made with charcoal. and are at least fourth of
1ncn tnlck, Tor standard 00tleT Our HOuel DOHtI
OF forty-two inches diameter, made OF plates one
fourth OF an inch thick-nade OF the best iron.
When the boiler is made and ready TOR use, another
inspection takes place. and the inspector must satisfy
himself that il is constructed OF such materials the act
requires and that the form and workmanship are salts
factory. This will meet and obviale the difficulties sug-
ges!ed under the second head so lar new boilers are
concerned when taken IN c0nnexon with the other pro-
visions in regard to boilers.
But being aware that defects OF materials and OF work
manshp may escape the observation OF an intelligent
nh WS hau tIad fnrf no ctr
every boiler by hydTostac pressure, under the Iegua
ons contained in the act and have after such trial and
examination authorized the inspector TO rate the highest
working OF the boiler by the pressure upon the
square inch, in conformity with which they are 10 h1
the load of each safety and it is made penal 10
increase that pressure under any circumstances.
in the management of boilers we have proofs from all
quarters OF negligent, unskul, and rash management
often producing the sadest calamitIes will give some
examples which show what is meant by the OF these
terms.
If the water in the boiler is permitted TO be lowered
that the metal uncovered about the fac, other paris OF
weakened by heat receives water suddenly injected
or thrown upon by any other cause, explosion or
collapse is likely 10 follow from the sudden conversion OF
water into steam. Many persons oil great experience
contend that much the larger portion of explosions and
collapes happen from neglect to keep up the water TO
proper and safe height in the boiler. The bill corrects
this negligence by providing for constant certain, and
sufficient supply Of water all times. whether the vessel
in motion Ii provides that, ordinarily, the
water shall be kept at least four inches above the Top OF
the hue.
Unsklfulness imprudence is said 10 occur n
loading the safety and thus by undue and unsafe
pressure, exposing the boilers to explosion This occurs
whenever there is attempt TO press boiler beyond Its
capacity sustain elastic sieam There TO be-
leve that persons employed engineers who have
not the knowledge and experience which ndispensa
BILE 10 the safe management of engine. Neglect OF
duty, unskilfuness, and Encouragement caused BY
the employment OF unsuitable PERSONS and only be
emedied by dspacng such and securing the services o
persons who have higher and better qualities The same
rule also applies TO pilots, vessels lost through the
negligence or incom petence of pilots
The bill provides for the appointment OF all engineers
for year, upon careful and thorough examination OF
their characters and qualifications and none other are 10
be allowed 10 serve on board steamers similar course
to be pursued the appointment OF pilots upon rivers
himself, and may undergo an examination and II his
character and qualifications authorize IT he Will be ap
pointed
To carry out this system and 10 secure the selection
Of competent and faithful engineers and pilots, two in
specors for each OF the collection districts named IN the
act to be appointed. one OF whom 10 be called the
inspector OF bulls is 10 possess such practical knowl
edge TO enable him Judge oil the seawortbiness and
Is also 10 be acq quainted with the oil steam pow
in navg alton, to be abb, TO perform the duties
assigned 10 him. The other, to be called the inspector OF
boilers 10 possess practical knowledge oil the manu-
OF boilers and the OF the machinery employed
in steamng, 10 be able TO judge correctly OF the
character OF both. These two are TO be associated IN
their abos Of Inspection and in the appointment OF
yineers and pilots Tor the district 10 winch they belong
and Tor any district for which inspector is appointed
The inspector OF boilers is also to be the inspector OF
boiler iron within his district and in any district whics
has no such inspector
Inspectors such the act requires cannot be placed in
every collection district without very great expense nor
such services required in the larger portion OF the dis
ncts We have endeavored so to place The inspectors
that steamers for the most part at one or the other end oil
the trip, will find board 10 perform the service Of in
specuon but, 10 meet and provide Tor exceptions 10 this
rule the boards has been suggested empowered 10
grant certificates in any district destitute OF inspectors
addition TO this, have provided for nine supervising
inspectors who itnerate and among other things
10 visit destitute Districts both for the inspection OF steam
and of boiler iron. These officers are designed to be
persons OF high practical qualifications, holding general
supervising power the local boards and securing not
only faithful but uniform execution OF the law,
The inspectors. both general and local, required 10
examine all the machinery and equipments OF steamers
and to interpose and be remeded whatever I'm
perfect or dangerous in lis character.
II boilers unfit for use by OF previous
or bad material, bad workmanship, 1t is the duty OF
the inspector TO know IL, and condemn such faults.
the supply OF wafer s nconstant or uncertain, II
his business TO correct that dangerous defect II he finds
The valves have been loaded beyond the limit assigned,
or in any way tampered with il is his duty to prevent the
repetition OF such violation Of law and duty In short
the vigilance OF faithful officer will sleep, bu, be
will visit vessels arriving and departing and compel all
concerned TO obey the laws made for the protection Of
life and property, or to abide the penalties OF dsobe
dience.
Such are the principal provisions in regard TO explo
sious, collapses, and the bursting OF pipes
Our object is first, 10 improve the strength OF boilers
hereafter made by the use Of better ma,ers better pro
portions and more thorough workmanship. Second, 10
prevent abuses in the OF them, arising from rashness
want OF skill negligence, or other causes.
The committee next considered the disasers arising