The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-29
The Explosion of steam Boilers and
the True Remedy.

the True Remedy.
BOILER explosions seem to be on the increase
Several of very destructive character have
lately occurred, and only yesterday we quoted
from New York contemporary an account of
the explosion of boiler in piano factory,
resulting in the total destruction Of the build
ing, fifty feet by seventy-fve, three stories
high, of brick, and well built, the killing Of
two men and the injury of others. That the
loss Of life was not larger was owing to the
fact that but few persons were in the building
at the time of the explosion. The destruction
of the building seems to have been as COM
plete as in the case of the SAMSON street ex-
plosion in this city last summer.
= 1t is common, in discussing the subject Of
boiler explosions, to dwell particularly upon
the probability Of improper management by
incompetent engineers and other employees.
Doubtless a large number of explosions do
occur in this way, but there are others where
this explanation will not apply-explosions
where no reasonable theory to meet the facts
can be invented. But granting that incompe-
tent management is at the bottom of the
majority of explosions, we still are confronted
with the fact that no amount of carefulness
or foresight on the part of owners or employers
can always secure the fidelity and watchful-
ness Of those whom they may employ. Care
lessness and incompetency are elements which
cannot be eliminated from the problem. The
number of persons engaged in working with
steam is too large.
We are satisfied that the true solution Of
this problem must be sought in another direc-
tion. We must not construct machines which
are as dangerous as powder magazines, and
then trust to careful management to keep
them from exploding. If possible, we must
so construct the machine that it shall cease to
be so terribly perilous, even with improper
management. 1t is claimed, and we think the
case is well made out that boilers constructed
of cast iron, after the pattern invented by a
distinguished engineer of this city, Joseph
Harrison, Jr., are entirely free from the danger
of explosion. 1t seems certain that of several
hundreds of these boilers now in use, not one
has ever exploded, nor has it been possible to
explode one by any practicable amount of
pressure. Now, if these are facts, and, as we
have said, they seem to be well vouched for,
they are of the highest Importance, and should
at once command the attention not only of all
parsons nsing staam boilers, but of public
authorities responsible for protecting, as far
as possible, the lives of the people. If there
is kind of steam boiler not liable to explo-
sion, that kind ought to be used wherever it is
practicable to use it; and in great cities, where
the lives of thousands are constantly jeopar-
died by the use of steam boilers of the ordi-
nary explosive form, it certainly becomes a
question worthy of consideration whether
legislative interference might not properly be
invoked.
The use of steam has become very general
in all branches of manufactures, and is daily
on the increase. At the same time its perils
are certainly forcing themselves upon the pub
Lie attention by the recurrence of the most ter
rible Observation-Disclosures which are liable to
repeat themselves at any moment and in any
locality where steam boilers are used. The
consideration of the subject cannot be avoided;
for such oatastrophes as that in SAMSON
street, in this city, and others which have
lately occurred elsewhere, demand that their
causes should be investigated, and future
calsmities of similar Sort ifpossible, avoided.
Much may doubtless be accomplished by
systematic and thorough inspection of all
steam boilers; but the radical reform, we are
satisfied, lies in the direction of construction
rather than supervision.