Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-08-01

THE EMPIRE STATE ExPLos1oN-THE Conc.
NER's INQUEST The testimony thus far elected
before the Coroners Jury, as to the causes of the
explosion board the Empire State indicates
the most culpable and outrageous carelessness and
reckless disregard of human life that we ever
heard Of.
Mr. Increase S. HILL local inspector of
steam boilers for the district of Boston and
Charestown, testified that the Company had
furnished their boats with all the necessary
arrangements for preservation oflife, and have
invariably manifested disposition TO do eve
rythipg TO secure safety aud security to the
passengers. The boilers, when last examined
by him, on the 9th of May last, were in per-
feet order. He thought the immediate cause
ofthe accident was in consequence OF a defect
i've sheet in the steam chimney. The appear
ance of the defective sheet shows imperfect
welding of the mass, as it appears unsound.-
Such sheets are not always easily detected. 1t
appears to me that these boilers have been
gradually weakened by the over heating of
the steam climneys. within the last two
months. If there had been no defects in the
iron, and the chimneys had been staid by
rocket belts and washers. do think they
would have given way. The manner in which
these boilers are staid, is common-most steam
boilers are made so. l do not think the heat
ing alone would have caused the accident
The defective sheet | regard as the primary
cause. There is 10 evidence that can obtain
from Il e engineers and fremen, and have
examined them also, that there was any ex.
cess of pressure, at the time of the accident,
beyond what is allowed by the inspectors. ]
do not think the engineers had the slightest
idea of danger, or could have had.
Mrs. Sarah A. Douglas testified that she
resided in the house with Mr.. Ketchum, the
engineer, who was killed by the explosion,
and that she had conversation with Nj. Ketch-
um, in reference to the boat, on Saturday
night last, and before that he had spoken to
her several times during conversation. on
Saturday, which was directed to both my aunt
and myself he said he had to go to New York
to .night, but did not want to said he had
Ueen 90 once twice, TO-DAY and Brock
way wouldn't let him off. His wife said
she would like to go. He said, woman,
the boat is not fit for you or any human being
to go in, if it was not for that, you might GO
He said there was hole in the boiler as large
as that, Indicating about four mches.) and
she wanted a patch as large as his table spread
He said he did not want to go; he bad rather
give months pay, yes, had rather give
five dollars right out of my pocket, now, than
81 ho salu aSih, oeiotS SolliS ouC VI MS
gate, don't want to go at all-that boat will
make coffin box for us ALL Witness never
saw him so unwilling to go as he was on last
Saturday night. AT several previous times,
he said the boat was not safe to go in, but
gave no reason why she was unsafe. l have
told nothing more than what she said. His
wife was present al the time"
The with IS underwent rigid examination, but
she did not vary her statements in any essential
particular, and they we're substantially corrobora
ted by the testimony of Mrs Ruth Cox, who was
present and heard the conversation between Mrs.
Douglas and the engineer.