Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-09-30
Explosion on the Great Eastern.


The steamship Balbec, for Halifax,
took out brief announcement that an
explosion Of some sort had occurred on
board the Great Eastern. The following
are the details.
1t appears that on the afternoon of the
eth, when off Hastings, a feed-pipe ca
sing in the forward funnel, which had
been introduced on the ground of economy
10 heat, and to keep the heat Of the fun
nels from the cabins, exploded with ter
rife force, blowing the funnel into the air,
and tearing to pieces the grand saloon
and the lower deck cabins through which
the tunnels passed, and otherwise doing
great damage to the internal fittings
Great CONSERVATION prevailed on board,
and prompt efforts were made to get at
the unfortunate men in the engineering
department, who were either buried in
the rubbish or Frustrated by the steam.
Three fremen were found in dying
state, and soon expired, while eight
others were more or less injured, two of
whom subsequently died. One fireman
was lost overheard, having either fallen
into the water or jumped into it to escape
scalding.
E E
The injured men were generally pro-
crossing favorably, although two or three
of them were in very precarious con-
dition. laf6a34a -sa Buys
The numerous guests on board had
only quilted the grand saloon, through
which the funnel passed, and in which
they had been dining a few minutes be-
fore the explosion took place. But for
this, the consequences would have been
most serious.
The explosion is stated to have pro-
badly been one of the most terrific which
vessel has ever survived, and which
none in the world could have withstood,
save a structure of such marvellous
strength as the Great Eastern. She not
only resisted it, her frame sustaining no
injury whatever, but it made so little
difference to the movement of the vessel,
that the engines were never once stop
ped till she reached Portland.
1t is stated that the great objections
had been made TO the casing around the
tunnels, but the directors PERSISTED in
adopting the plan, Notwithstanding that
it was tried and abandoned in the Collins
and other steamers.
A coroner's inquest commenced at
Weymouth on the 18th. The evidence
clearly showed the cause Of the explosion
to be-frstly, the supply of the boilers
through the water jacket of the funnel
was stopped, because of failure in the
auxiliary pumping power; secondly, a
stand pipe, which acts as safety valve,
had in it tap when the casing was by
draulically tested, and that tap was turn
ed, apparently intentionally, SO that the.
pipe was useless. The inquest adjourned
till the 18th
Prior to the accident the performance
of the vessel was most satisfactory, and
she was almost without motion, while
large vessels in her vicinity were pitch
J ing and tossing in stormy sea. A sur
) yey of the vessel had been held, and es-
Inmates sent in to forthwith repair the
damage at a cost of not more than $4,000,
! the injury being far less considerable
than was at first supposed. Little, il
any, delay would take place in the de.
parture of the ship on her first voyage,
but rumor prevailed that she would not
proceed to Holy-head, but sail direct
!, from Portland. The accident caused a
. sight decline in the shares of the compa-
ny, but did not influence the general con-
fdence in the ship.