Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-05-02
EXPLOSIONS.
% Steamboat Boilers Explsds fFsm toe
EuCh steam or from an keOHmHla-
tlon Of ElsGirieltl 2
Thesrl.s Of an Old River Man SaHy EX
amples to Eaf0FOs Than.

Editors ppsC!-NOtruer picture for the
times than Death mounted on q steam
boiler, could the artist produce, from the
reckless and ignorant way in which
steam is used. Therefore, every possible
means should b8 tried which may lead 10
the discovery Of the
CAUSE OF THESE BOILER EXPLOSIONS
so frequent on steam boats navigating the
Mississippi river, where Ia moment
many human beings are launched into
eternity on boat costing from one to two
hundred thousand dollars, to say nothing
Of the cargo, which is often worth twice
the value Of the bost, sll OF which is de-
sLroyed in q few moments.
Every explosion, we have the same old
controversy over and over again, shout
water In the boilers, and so il will go on
forever, 8ud no one will be the wiser, un-
less the cause can be aseertained.
Without discussing the question Of wa
ter, we will refer to few cases.
THE SAM HALE
burst her steam pipe through pressure
and probably some defect in the pipe. We
know that there was ample water in the
boilers; not because the engineer said so,
but because people were literally sGslded
alive, the rssh dropping from their bones,
aud the boat was deiuged with hot water
The steam pipe was split up foot and
forced wide Opsn, giving the steam the
grsat5st possible room TO escape, which
sounded like distant thunder, lasting
several moments, until the boilers were
exhausted. This, We know, was case Of
steam.
THE STEAMER DENIZEN.
Many years ago, while making landing,
burst her b0iler-one sheet opening
through whiOh ths steam escaped from
the boilers. Captain ShrOdes, VINO was on
the hurricane deck Immediately over the
rent sheet, was scalded, and inhaled steam,
and died soon sfJerward, and 50 did sew
eral others. This boat was also deluged
With water. Another clear case Of eIplo-
sion with water In the boiler.
TIKI LAKE STEAMER VIRGINIA,
lying at the wharf, blew up, and was
also covered with water.
THE C0ECORDIA
blew up under similar circumstances, and
other explosions could be mentioned
were i5 necessary, showing that there was
water 10 the boilers, but how mnOh no
one can know, and the world goes on as
ignorant as ever.
THE ARTHUR
was under hesdHay with the usual amount
of steam, everything working IS usual
with plenty of water, so says the engi-
broken, torn and twisted, as # charged
with gun powder.
THE OREGON,
when going down stream with moderate
pressure, and everything working well,
blew up.
TIE PRINCESS
blew up under similar circumstances.
THE LOUISIANA,
while Wing at The " Hqrf NJ Nauv nrIaaua
boilers just cleaned out, pumped up, doc
tor working well, everything in perfect
order, blew up-her boilers blown in
oYery direction, as if filed with gun pow
der. AS usual, nothing was learned from
this sad catalogue Of disasters.
THE yUDGE WHEELER
vss a similar csise, only more terrific. The
mate, Air Mccullough, staLes that at the
moment OF the explosion he saw the
steam gauge, which indicated 40 pounds
prsssure--ieEs than allowed 10 carry by
the GOvornmont geuges. The boilers
we're naW. made Of the very best mate.
rial. and In the best possible manner
These boilers were burst, twisted snC
torn into q hundred pieces, weighinG
from ten to Cns thousand pounds, snC
blown from ten feet 20 three hundred
wards. The safety valve was blown two
4 hundred Yards, the cross chimney guy a
far. and.OVer tall pecan tree,
CAPT. NoEANp
/ was blown no one knows bow high. III
was found in the end Of one OF the chin
neys, perfectly black. So was Mr.. Pope
who Was sitting near Capt. Nolano ia Tn
/ hall. so with Mr. Story, the carpenter
I All suffered from Druisesi from these
Capt, Nolaud died. No one was scalded
no one inhaled steam; no water YVES seen
Some wore boWn overheard aud neYe
heard o. Thu engineers who were at o
near tho engines we're Knocked down
the chamberIaaid was blown out Of he
room on the after-guard.
Hera We hive rsasOa q believe thsr