The New York herald., 1871-08-23

steam Boilers-The Dangers Which Menace
Us.
1t turns out that the sinking Of the steamer
Wyoming was not caused by boiler explo-
sion, but so frequent have been these disasters
lately that nobody would have been
surprised If such had been the fact. This is,
indeed, season of boiler explosions,
accidents of this kind having become epidemic.
On the river and in the Sound, in the harbor
of New York and even among our sea-going
vessels. DID, patched and wornout boilers are
in daily use. The workshops of the
city are full of these death-deal-
ing engines, as the columns OF the
HERALD clearly prove this morning. Even
the terrible Westield disaster, followed 80
quickly by the explosion on Chautauqua Lake,
and the Starbuck explosion, have failed to
awaken the community to full sense of its
danger. Men and women slumber in fancied
security in the neighborhood of machinery
which may explode at any moment. Twenty
seven hundred boilers are employed in the
city, and many of them have been used almost
since the application of steam. The tests
applied to ascertain their condition are often
unsatisfactory, and, were we fully aware OF
our danger we would be bound to confess that
we live day and night over slumbering
volcanoes.
If the West1eld explosion has taught any
thing it has clearly demonstrated that the
hydrostatic test is not sufficient. 1t is the duty
of the inspectors to know the exact condition Of
every boiler in and around the city. Patched
boilers should not be allowed in any workshop
or on any vessel. Those which have been
used for 80 long time that they must OF
necessity be worn out should be discarded.
The most scrutinizing examinations should be
made and the most rigid tests employed to
ascertain the soundness of such dangerous
| machinery. And yet we have reason to
believe that the examinations have too often
been superficial, and that the use of steam
engines is, as a rule reckless in the extreme.
Ignorant engineers are frequently employed.
Engines which have been used for years are
run up to the full measure of their capacity.
Steam gauges often fail to mark with GER
tainty the q lantity Of steam which is carried,
speak in warning indications of impending
danger. Caution is lost sight of till the explo-
sion comes, dealing death and destruction, as
in the case of the Westfeld.
We cannot put away from US the conviction
that we are constantly surrounded by dangers
of which we do not even dream. Where there
has been 80 much recklessness and such
fearful lack of vigilance it cannot be otherwise
than that much of the machinery employed in
our workshops is old and worthless. In three
weeks nineteen defective boilers have been
found by the police. How many more there
may be it is impossible to tell, but there are,
perhaps, hundreds in the city. Each day
new disaster may occur. Every hour there is
danger. Shall we, then, slumber on in fancied
security, forgetting the Westfed and ita
lesson? 1t is necessary that the public
should wake up to the Importance of this
matter, that the officers whose duty it is to
| investigate the condition of this dangerous
| machinery may be compelled to do their whole
| duty. Nothing short of powerful public
| opinion will make the examination sufficiently
rigid to insure safety, and by this means only
can the owners of boilers and engines be mada
| to feel that they will be held responsible for
the condition Of their machinery and the in
telligence and care of their engineers. Till
the people speak boldly and Enthusiastically
Vesuvius will be place of safety compared
with New York.