The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-02
THE SD STREET EXPLOSION.

law stIen,ion into the Denth Of Young
wrlsht-Opinions Of Expcri eured Enel-
Beers ~ 10 the safety OF the Expiod
Boiler-The Details OF the FriGhtiul Acc
eidcnt In Thirty-third street..
Coroner Flynn held an inquest yesterday in the
case Of W. s. Wright and George Hussey, the vic
tins OF the boiler explosion that occurred on Feb.
IA IN West Thirty third street. The testimony OF
GEORGE Hussey, of the victims, and also Of John
Donnelly. the engineer Ia charge OF the boiler at
the time OF the explosion, was read to the jury.
George uussey testified that on Feb. II he was in
the workshop Donnelly. the engineer called him
and told him there was a crack in the boiler and
that it was Leaking very lady. lie said he thought
he would slacken the fire. W. 8. Wright was In the
engine room at tie time, having just returned from
dinner. Mr.. Hussey believed II was Wright who
first noticed the leak in the boiler The engineer
was In the act OF coming toward Hussey when the
boiler burst. Hussey's statement closed with the
assertion that no one went near the boiler while the
engineer was at his dinner.
John Donnelly stated that he IL an engineer IN the
employ OF Mr.. Chapman. He had charge Of the en-
CINE which supplied the entire building in Thirty
third street with steam power. He had been In
Chapmans employ since last October. The engine
was Of twelve horse power, and had been made at
Newburgh for oil boring In Pennsylvania. The
found in good condition. and able to carry seventy
pounds Of steam TO the square inch.
There Ind never been more than thirty pounds
Of pressure on the boiler, except the week pre-
vious to the explosion, when there had been
hfty pounds. On the morning OF the 18th OF Febru-
arv, be worked the engine usual and noticed no.
thing wrong with the boiler up to ~ O'Clock his usual
dinner hour lie returned from h's house IN the
opposite side Of the street, where he had been To
dinner, In a quarter OF an hour, aud met young
Wright In the workshop.
Wright told him the boiler was leaking. They
went ut once 20 the engine room, where he that
the young fellow was right There was bad crack
in the head sheet Of the be er the LEFT side. lie
examined the water Ia the boiler, and found that he
had two gauges still 10. lie then opened the furnace
door and threw slack on the fire To doaden u. He
was just about leaving the place and cauioning the
persons in the building to withdraw, but before no
bad time to d. so the bo er exploded, Wright and
himself was rendered nsensibe by the injuries he
received and could not remember anything that hap
Mr. II. A. Decker was next examined lie had n
paper staneIy in the building which the explosion
had taken place; he rented the lrst, second, and
third floors Of the buildin., steam power being in
Guided in tile lease; he in the building at the
tune OF the x'losion, and with difficulty made his
Mt sitai Hospital. where lie died that night; be
himself knew uotbiE about the state OF TIE boiler
tho engineer never complained Of u 70 him; no one
the en- neer, even tue boys who worked there being
locked out during dinner dune.
Jostph n Iohcy, engineer anu romeo Inspector IN
the Police Department. testified that he had examn
ed the boiler and considered 1t capable Of standin :
20 pounds pressure. He thought Donnolly COM
petcnt man.
Thomas +. Powers, another engineer in the Police
Department, also thought Donnoby u competent
man.
Michael r HAYES said be was maclinist and en-
gneer said 10 was his opinion tlIai the explosion
was caused by having too much weight on the crown
sheet Which not prouerly stayed fromt the crown
81 Get 10 the sheive OF the boiler.
The witness here asked the Coroner's permission
TO say few Wutds TO the jury, and commenced by
person guilty OF murder In the lrst degree, but he
Was soon stopped by the Coroner.
Mr.. George Fox, n boiler maker, delivered his
opinion REGARDING the strength OF the boiler. and
Dir. George N. CHAPMAN. tie owner OF the building.
was thea called. lie did not appear, however. al
adjourned the further hearing OF the case TIL Satur-
day next at II O'Clock.