The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-29
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Suppose the pressure of steam on that vessel in
creased 10 6y pounds would there be danger OF the
woodwork catching by the radiation from the boilers
A. No, sir; include in that answer also the stes IN
chimney the IRE room well constructed with regard
safety from fire. IL better than ordinary the hoor
covered with sheet iron about eighth OF an men
thick the fires drawn out sheet IRON the top
of these boilers about six inches from the DECK aoovo
consider that proper and safe distance
What is the depth OF the water between the Top OF
the fues and the upper shell Of the boiler
A. About eight inches; forget the depth, but can tell
by this daught il is twenty eight inches from the top Of
the ues and the upper shell Of the boiler the scale OF
the Iawipg marked wrong 1t Is five instead ef ten
O. Is there danger of fire catching from the smoke
pipe to the adjoining woodwork
Yes, If the wood work was near enough.
@ How it on that vel SELF
A. No danger at all
Suppose this fire occurred ON the starboard al of
the starboard boiler somewhere in the vicinity Of the
manifold plate in the middle OF the vessel would driving
her at speed have caused greater danger of
than driving her at ordinary speed
A. There is possibility but hardly probability. The
danger is not greater at that point by radiation from
creasin< the heat in the furnaces went to Newburg
that vessel the day before the accident.
For what purpose did you go to Newburs Objected
to- ruled out.)
looked into the engine room no doubt looked into the
fire room have recollection of it, it q large r
ROOM and made out extra bill for the sheetrg for it,
II was as well aired as any fire room ever saw.
Y Can steam be heated SO hot that it would ignite
wood? A. think it could but it would be no longer
steam steam OF itself cannot be 80 heated AZ to ignite
wood the boilers covered with felt that usual
and SAT. covering don't remember seeing the certificate
OF the vessel in 1852.
small pieces Of coal coming out the chimney. A. Not
at all especially with small boilers; when the coal is
smoke pipe forty eight feet long, Of the coal
would be burned when it would dy off, those put on
the top would not be burned when they woali fly oil
when Mr. Hall submitted that the defendants not
entitled to the same privilege in their direct exinna
Mr. Wheaton considered that they entitled; and
all he wanted to ark the witness the
OF the engineer.
Mr.. Han conceded that he was a competent, careful
ana udest engineer in general reputation; that is all
The law would allow them.
Mr.. Jprdan--We would have a right to prove tina. he
skilful ard scientific.
hr Eail-That lie also conceded
Mr. Jordan then would only ask the witness 20 explain
smoke.
Witness explaned-It the inner pipe the shell
is IL steam chimney and the space between it and the
outer surface OF the smoke pipe about ten inches and
is filled with steam these chimneys from fifteen 10
eghteen feet long and about two feet above the prone
made deck lis there the two ues into smoke ppe
after got Adore the two pipes there is water pro-
lection would considerably there there
no joiner work around those chmneys above the hurri
cane deck the hurricane deck was clear around about
ten inches.
OF not being surrounded on the hurricane deck
II was more safe it was hotter and more uncomfort-
the weight of the weight the lever of the safety valve
was 100 pounds; that was pr per weight
Q. Was there any weight anywhere about that man
could have seen of fifteen poun weight
A. There that could see.
Crossexamnei by Mr.. Hall-Witness explained by the
model where he stood when he looked into the engine
Q. Water is an element composed of two gases9
A. Yes; two parts hydrogen and one oxygen; those
oxygen supports combustion and hydrogen is very in.
ismmable the two gases brought together in the
blow pipe the effect of heat water to convert it into
steam by heating higher and higher you would con.
vert it into by exkaustng all the water would then
be capable OF setting fire to wood the larger cylinder
put in in the spring of the year. before the
nent of navigation the effect of putting in the larger
c,lrder would reduce the PRESSURE the steam would
work AM faster the boilers would make IS lbs pressure
with lsrra q, Under as easily as 90 lbs with small.
John " Weed eYamsned by Mr.. Betts-I am ship
joiner for twenty four years. built the work OF the
Henry Cay the model correct rerresen alton OF her
below decks il il correct representation Of her deck
there is grating the MANIFOLD plates there was
grating the main deck six seven inches front
Of the steam chimneys; there was bulkhead
that run across from the main deck about seventeen feet
forward OF the steam chimney there were four coal
gratings two on each de fJr passing coal down; two
spoke Of the opening of the coal grating would
within foot of the hu the other fourteen feet
these openings led directly into the hull of the vessel into
the freroom those usual and customary and taose
grapgs covered with usual and customary cover
irg the joiner work is usual in that class of
vessels little farther of if there is any difference the
woodwork was properly constructed in that part
of the vessel in references to he boilers in my judgments
there is usually bulk head in the of the boilers IL
is eighteen twenty feet from the Of the boilers
have put them within fot from twelve inches to two
feet il the usual and customary distance.
O. Was the frercom Of the Henry Clay well guarded
from danger of fire boats OF that class usually are?
A. Yes sir think they were that is In my Judgment;
the woodwork above the main deck vel constructed
with regard 10 fire.
The witness not examined.
Mr. Weed TO Mr. Betts-The Clay had two boats they
carried the promenade deck forward of the wheel
houses; think that the usual number Of boats;
have been or where they did carry any that
he nj her Df Of ler
that is se usual place for vessels that not cranes to
carry their boats she had she had two dozen
buckets dozen each of the hurricane decks; that
j. the usual place to buckets the smoke pipe
the hurricane deck is tae most dangerous place in case
OF FIRE.
To Mr. Dunning-I saw these buckets about week be.
fore the fire. don't know anything about the condition
Of these boats.
Peter Crary examined by Mr. McMahon deposed--I in
speced the boilers Of the Henry Clay 18th june 81
job German, the engineer, was in company with me-
Mr. Curtis with at that time to my recoec
ton: Mr. Curtis was not with any time during
month of June to recollection; went down to the
furnace and looked into the furnace went round
the boiler; did not observe any defect in the furnace
q How came ii that you changed the certificate from
sixty pounds to thirty FIVE poundss
A. saw defect in The steam chimney, in my judg-
without reference to the certificate gave. these
boilers capable of sustaining fifty pounds Mr. Ger
main called my attention to that defect that defect had
reference 10 the pressure OF steam: observed her Ire
room il constructed with regard TO safety from fire,
about vel a. generally lind hem heard Mr. Bell
apps testimony; agree vi him in there being no dan
ger of fire from The radiation from the boilers
@ supposng the vessel going with so lbs pressure
of steam would there be any Increased danger Of fire
from the inci eased pre- sures
A. No, sir any e;tion gave the owners they com
piled with until heard the testimony of Mr. Curtis was
under the impression that gave the certificate and that
gave II for los Mr. Curtis and acted one; in the
first year; Mr. Curtis gave the certificate; in 1852,
Of opinion that it was gave it; regards my
inspection duty, ! considered the Henry Clay in all
respects properly equipped for running the North
river.
Cross examined by Mr J. Hall[Custom House certif-
thirty produce1 signed signed
a blank, before IL filed up.
a. DID you put your name 10 certificate that was to
go forth to the world, without knowing what be
put in it. A. Mr.. Curtis is my associate and If he put
in a different amount TO what agreed upon that's his
business.
To Jmor-I am practical engineer
Mr.. Hall said he wished Mr.. Crazy TO remain, he
would send the Custom House and get certificates that
be signed for thirty for thirty five and one for
fifty lbs.
10 Mr.. Jordan-We inspect jointly and each take
tain class Of the certificates jointly signed, and fill them
up.
Francis Marvin examined by Mr. Betts-I am ship
wright since twelve years Of age served part Of my
time with Mr. Colly.r the Henry Clay built by Mr. Col