The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-13
The Cause and Lesson OF the Late
EXPLOSION.

Explosion.
AFTER allowing week for investigation and
deliberation, the Coroner's jury, empanelled
to determine the cause of the late explosion in
SAMSON street, rendered their verdict yester-
day. In their decision there is good ground
for the active attention of our authorities. It
seems from the evidence that the immediate
cause of the destruction of life and property
was the over-pressure occasioned by the
'closing Of the stop-valve, placed Immediately
above the boiler, and thus shutting off all
communication with the safety-valve and pres
sure-gauge." 1t further appeared that the
iron of which the boiler was constructed was
of the best quality, and that its condition was
as good as could be desired. Among other
facts before the jury, it would seem that
"Several other boilers of like construction
have been put up by the same builders, In this
city, whereby the lives and property of our oiti-
zens endangered. In view of this, as well
lust had under Investigation, the Jury would
reiterate what has been before so strongly
stated, that action of our city authorities, by
which proper oversight and Inspection should
be secured, is imperatively demanded, aud
should not be delayed, lest, as was before pre-
dicted, another terrible disaster should reveal
the consequences of neglect"
From this verdict there are several deduo-
tions inevitable, which we feel called upon
as journalists to freely draw in order that the
public safety may in the future be protected.
In the first place. the testimony of Professor
Morton, and numerous experts in the con-
struction of steam boilers, proves that the
principle on which the builders of this par
ticular boiler worked was dangerously defec-
tive. This was clearly proved. One witness tes-
titled that he did not consider the place selected
on Geasey & Wards boiler a safe one to place
a valve; it was very dangerous; he would never
expect such a valve on boiler, nor ever saw
one so located, that is, with the same relative
connections. And another stated that he would
be afraid to have such valve as this on boilers
that he intended to use himself, for fear of their
existence being forgotten.
The fact, therefore, that all boilers SINH
larly constructed are most unsafe, and ex-
tremely liable at any moment to explode with
an effect as disastrous as that before us, can
not be doubted; and Messrs. Morgan & Orr
testify that they have erected several similar
boilers-at present at work in our city-and
mention several sugar refneries as the
places where they are in operation. In
view of these facts, the recommendation of the
jury that boiler inspector or inspectors be
appointed by law, is peculiarly forcible and
we hope that Councils will, at their meet
vide a remedy. 1t requires some fearful
demonstration to get any useful measure
through Councils. Either the cholera must
be upon us, or a score of people must
be killed by an explosion before we can hope
for legislation. Their idea seems to be that
cure is preferable to a prevention.
But there is also another and wider lesson
taught by this accident. 1t shows what fear
full responsibility rests upon the constructors
of engines and boilers. The builders should
have known that such an arrangement as that
allowed in the case of Messrs. Ward q Geasey
was unsafe, by the testimony of practical engi-
ners all over the country. 1t is evident that such
a device as that allowed in the present case
was unusual and extraordinary. 1t is clearly
moral duty of builders, for the preservation
of their own fame as well as public safety,
to refuse to consent for the sake of the
economy to any Of the dangerous devices of their
patrons. But the whole matter should be
regulated by law. By requiring that an in
spector should give a certificate to every boiler
used by mandatory, all difficulty would be
avoided. The expense would be slight and
the protection great. AS it is, we do not know
where similar boilers are situated, and cam
not speculate which mill or refinery may at
any moment launch into eternity, by the same
cause, as many as those destroyed during the
past week. 1t is clearly the duty of the city
to attend to the matter at once, and we hope
some member will introduce the necessary
bill in Councils at their session this afternoon.