The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-04
THE ST. JOHN DISASTER.
1nvestig alton by the United States Stea I'M.
boat Inspectors-A Flaw I'm tho Iron the
Probable Cause OF the Disaster, sc.

1nvesttg cation by the United States Ste I'M.
boat Inspectors-A Flaw I'm tho Iron the
Probable Cause OF the Disaster, sc.
On Monday last Messrs. J. NJ weekes and J. N. Hop
per- the United States Steamboat Inspectors proceeded
to make investigation into the of the explosion
on board the steamboat St. John Mr. Hopper examined
portions of the boiler that had been cut and removed
for the purpose Of testing the quality of the iron by all
practical means, and determined that the
OF the explosion had been defect in the iron the
point where the fange turned II of those
flaws which would exist, though mperceptibe in boiler
iron and could be made apparent upon the hydraulic
test but only after the expansion and contraction OF the
boiler had extended the defect cause when least
expected rupture often attended with the most dsas
trous results
With view to having thorough examination into the
details OF the explosion, number OF experts called
upon examine the fragments of the boiler and give
their opinion as to the cause OF the accident.
Subsequent TO the testimony of Mr. Joel Wright, the
second engineer Of the St. John, which testimony
elected no new facts Mr.. Frank Ramsey, foreman OF
the boiler shop at the Delamater Works who has been
in the business for twenty years. gave evidence to the
quality Of the iron he considered that the boiler
well braccd and that the tai thick used
for boilers Of that size; he had OF the iron
that Trad been fangcd since the accident and found IL to
be Of good quality would consider the boiler well built
and properly braced and safe to carry forty pounds of
Co., regarded the ron used in the construction Of
the exploded boiler being Of good quality and proper
thickness and thought that the explosion caused
by the continual working OF the from expansion
and contraction, the continual pusaton that part
of the boiler he did think there had been any orig
nal defect in the iron, but considered that the daily
"Crotoning' Injecting cold water into the boiler after
the steam and water have been blown on had had bad
effect and had greatly weakened the part OF the boil
that had given out.
Mr. James Hook, the chief engineer Of the st. John,
stated that he injected cold water into the boiler
until after the iron had cooled and therefore did not
think that the injection Of Croton had any tendency to
boilers the witness had repeatedly examined thcm and
thought they had been constructed in thorough and
workmanke manner; he opned that the explosion had
been caused by continual expansion and contraction,
pusation, occasioncd by the continual relieving OF the
boiler from the pressure Of forcing steam into the
cylinder.
Mr. Sinclair Stewart practical engineer and pas
senger board the 81 John, had examined the
ploded boiler ten minutes after the OF the
accident He stated that he had found thin place for
about five inches caused he believed by the cold water
striking against t. The iron In the thinnest place
scant hvesxeenths; hc thought the boilers we're well
made.
Mr. Geo. Andrews foreman for Cobanks Theall the
builders Of the boilers testified that he had been
structed 10 build the boilers in the very best
throughout The witness had examined the boiler since
the explosion and looked upon the part OF the plate that
gave out as imperfect II had not been welded through
out
Mr.. Archibald Lemon foreman Of the Atlantic Steam
Engine Works Brooklyn, thought that there had been
where the ange turned he considered the boiler well
made and saw no possible way OF avoiding accident
OF the kind.
The investigation has not yet been brought TO a close