The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-31


heated for nearly month.
O. Can you account for this difference In the heat
Of the two smoke chimneys? A. cannot. The
same quantity of fuel is placed in each boiler, yet
the staiboard chimney was always most heated.
O. Might not the steam be more powerful in the
immediate neghborhood of the steampipe h con-
sequence Of the smoke chimney becoming red hot?
A. 1t might.
O. Could you heat iron red hot with steam inside2
A. don't think you could.
@. Then the rivets which have given way were
loosened by the extreme heat of the smoke pipe!
O. Is the boiler weakened at allg A. It's.
G. Are there any portions Of the boiler more ex
posed to the heat than the part around the smoke
pipe? A. Yes; that portion Of the boiler where the
fire is built i.e the furnace, part is subject to great
deal more heat.
Q. Have you ever found leakage in the Hues? A.
/ have.
Q. Do they discover themselves in time to prevent
any accident A. Oh yes.
Q. Ore Of the passengers says he heard Kissing
noise proceeding from the boiler on the night OF the
accident. Doyou know what caused the noise! A.
There was leak the Hange Of the steam chimney,
and this probably was the cause.
Q. Was there not more drought in the starboard
the other boiler! A. No; the blower did not act SO
hard on the fire in the starbosrd boiler as it did on
the larbcard.
Q. Was the fire brighter in the starboard boiler?
@. Is there any wood about the smoke chimney
that might catch fire from the heat? A. No;
don't think there is any danger of the woodwork
catching fire from the boiler.
6. Do you ret any directions for running the en-
CINE from the pilot or captain? A. No, except in
thick weather.
Q. Did you, when you examined the boat on
Saturday, see anything that could in any way have
impressed you with the belief that anything was
wroDgl A. did not, sir.
Q. Is it usual TOR smoke stacks to be red hot? A.
l have seen number Of them red hot, but it is not
common for them to be red hot
Alfred 5. Beebe, first assistant engineer on board OF
the Empire State, was then sworn.-He deposed that
he examined the boilers on Saturday last and found
slight crack in the larbOard boiler this was not the
boiler that exploded; the boiler makers on board OF
the boat we're on board for the purpose Of putting
a new piece in the larboard boiler. The starboard
boiler was examined and was found TO be in good
order; had repaired the latter boiler some time
previous, and it was then to our eyes, in good or
der.
Q. Did you, on your way to New York, carry more
steam in the starboard boiler than usual on account
Of the detect you speak of in the larboard boiler
A. We did not. We could not, because there Is
connection between the two boilers.
Q. Were the bolts in the starboard boiler strong
enough A. don't think they were.
Q. Did you ever call the attention Of any one to
the weakness OF the brace bolts in question? A.
have talked With Mr. Brockway and Mr. Ketchlm
upon the subject, but could not say that the owners
or agents of The line were informed Of the matter
O. Did Mr. Ketchum express his fears in re-
lation to the weakness OF the bolts in your pre-
sencel A. No, he did not.
turday night! A. Yes. He said something about
his having work here to perform, and leaving his
family on Sunday; but he did not express any de-
sire to remain at home on account Of any defect in
the boiler; his objections did not by any means,
indicate THAT he was afraid.
Q. Had you any fears as to your own safety? A.
None in the least.
Q. Is it dangerous TO have the smoke pipes hot?
A. 1t might be, if there was heavy head of
steam on.
Q. Did any passengers call upon you on Saturday
night and make representations about The boilers
A. They did not.
Q. Isit not common for smoke pipes to be heated
red hot A. IL is.
.. When so heated do you ever apprehend dan
ger? A. No, exc ept from fire. the pipe might fall
down and set fire 10 the upper deck.
Q. Have You ever known Of an instance OF that
kind A. have not
q. Have you seen heated smoke pipes any
other steamboat besides the Empire State? A. 1
have them get red hot on board OF the State OF
Maine, but ! cannot say that ever saw any other
steamboats, smoke pipe red hot.
O. Did you ever say that the boilers were not fit
TO be used on account Of their not being safe, A.
No, | never did; it was well known, however, that
the boilers would not make steam enough, and il
was common thing for to say, "a good at
ought 10 have sufficient steam to make her CO."
O. You say you repaired the starbcard boiler some
weeks ago; were your repairs directed against the
portion which exploded. A. No, think not; the
part referred 10 looked like the very strongest part
o. the boiler tie intense heat Of the smoke pipe was
caused by the shortress OF the boilers.
Q. II the smoke pipe was TO become red hot would
It be apt to make local pressure Of steam in that
INN, date nechborbood. A. No, ! don't think il
would the safety valve would always oe a safe
guide in the event OF such a case.
Q. How often do you examine your boilers! \.
Some parts 81 the boilers are examined every day,
and tn entire structure Is generally examined every
other day; close exa aination o. the entire boiler
b made once week.
Q. As general rule. what part Of the boilers wear
out firstg A. The furnace parts
At the conclusion Of the last witness testimony
the inquest was adjourned until o'clock, the fol-
loving "wednesday morning.