New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-12

think, good quality the fire . surface o. the
water, it is possible the he steam pressure may
have exceeded the amount allowed by the in
spectors certificate; II the steam had fted inc saIety
the Inspectors certificate because II steam was making
rapidly could not find vent at the safetyvaye only by
surplus OF pressure sufficient TO force the Issue OF the
overplus through the valve opening, and this may
have caused few pounds of excess; steam , has
ing off TO an extent OF 10 pounds above the
pressure sufficient to lift the valve off its seat.
INFERIOR IRON.
George Sewe United States Engineer, testified (: L
visited the wested days after the catastrophe, and
made an examination OF the various portions OF tho
boiler with view, II possible, TO determine tho cause OF
Its destruction was accompanied by craftsmen ana
made with their aid sketches In examining inc nam
part OF the boiler, what attracted my attehuon pai-
cuary was that Of the largest plates or iron was
very inferior quality for distance of this IRON
had not been welded thoroughly, and in some places the
examined that portion Of the boef that had been blown
SO feet and arnmed tight In the edges OF the vesse
this portion contained six eight feet OF the shell
and the backhead OF the boler upon viewing inc out
side of this back head saw what consider the pry
OF the bowup this backhead sheet IL puged OUT
some lOt inches, and this feature proves uncohtro-
yertby thai the ybos drew out OF the back
ton, thereby throwing tho entire strain OF ~ @
the back boiler head upon the section OF metal In inc
shell of the boiler minus that occupied by the riyels
the steam pressure to have been q pounds.
would put a total pressure on the back-head OF
the boiler of 3O52s5 pounds, or pressure per per
boiler at right angles to its length OF $50 or or
the ron and 1t gave way with the result welknown;
rstclass bolerpate ought to successfully, withsmihd
working pressure two threo times that amount, us
ultimate breaking strain being about 62D ponns the
tests made by the iron OF the Board OF meSs
Fletcher, Vanderbilt and Copeland show inc IRON
10 have been OF the most worthless character,
being pulled asunder by strain OF Ss. pounds; there
iron as reported by the aforementioned Board ooul.
not discover it is in the making Of the boiler N mp punch
slant OF that dannabe sheH dr PIN by the use OF
these tools the iron aro1d the rye holes Is sure 70 So
know would discover the extent OF the DAMAGE
that N s7l pounds tho minimum strength of the iron
reported by the Board mentioned indicates the tIuo
figure the true weakness OF the iron owing 10 the
corroson that had taken place since inc blowup aud
10 satisfy myself Of the much-taikedof crack the rup
upper port side the boiler 10 occupy the
bow of tho boat this evident from the fact that the
was not raised from It's bed; the greatest force
of the escaping steam was upward and IN line OF inc
keel evidenced by the great destruction OF the upper
works of the boat and the opposite directions In which
the main portions OF the boiler were thrown one being
the stern by the engines below the staybolt known
stay bolts from the fact that they have screw
thread their onre longth the plates OF the boiler That
be stayed with these bolts punched or drilled To
receive the lap that is TO make the thread
screwed in and cut OF to the proper length and
eted forming head each end OF the bolt 1t Is
OF that in rvetln6 these bolts over
to form the heads (Which must be done when the iron
cold) the texture Of the metal Ia seriously Injured ana
this description, If not well taken care Of are very
liable 10 cOrrode rapidly. az was the case IN ms
e RFeGrs anS d1n d
working pressure to be allowed, Is hgy injurious 10
Laid The seeds Of future rupture with less steam pres
sure the bydrosac test, as applied 10 steam boilers n
accordance with the law, ia no cUfchce OF thc strength
OF the boiler and affords passenger no. the sightcs;
guarantee for their safety.
RESPONSIBILITY or MASUFACTUREBs.
The manufacturer the iron should he held RESPONSE
fnrth he NJ he he
maker should be held responsible should he imperfect
iron, the iron unfairly ana juriousy willie fab
ricating the into steam boilers and he should DO
held responsible for the proper staying and bIicns Of
the boiler screw bolts like those used in the back con
necon of the WestGeld should he forbidden Had the or
binary socket bolt been used Instead the calamity would
of steam boilers the first great prerequisite to insure
safety the travelling public is to employ Intelligent,
1 ma n Charge as Of FAX e "% admitted a
he had of q pounds just before the burst and
two pounds per square inch it ia fair suppose that
he would not scrupe to carry five or ten pounds more
the clockacc or sprng-eauge variety and II Is rs. ~
TO find such gauge correct they aTe "ai Gon og
boiler of the u s. stesinfrgate Powhatln; hat after
mouths service would not indicate within 20 pounds OF
the true ure had not been for the Saetyyalye
indicating abOt the true condition OF things tho boiler
would have been demo ishod nave con lence In any
steam ssure gauge other the mercur column
pop1rly constructed mercuria gauge lave long felt
t1rt hing should be done TO secure more perfect
- item of Inspection too much dependence and faith
i3 hoen placed the y drOstac tost, which In H.
H. as an indication Of the illness OF boiler for steam
ing purposes, IS unworthy Of egnIidenee l think
there should be Issued for the guidance or
all steam boiler inspectors circular containing minute
for their guidance. which they should DO required 70
sign for each Inspection which certificate should b. filed
in the oicA Of the Supervising Inspector and should
be considered sacred ~and binding as an
oath ltikcn before magistrate; locked
up safcyyave can constructed and applied 20 steam
boilers that will afford guarantee against TIE carrying
unlawful pressure; have aiIity with those WHO
attribute such catastrophe that II the WcS'eld -
providence God; such things are the result OF SHor
auce, cureessness, or the cupidity of man.
The investigation then closed. Mr. Boolc said that
the report of the Inspectors would be presented to
Supervising Inspector Low who would decide whether
OF II shoald be given 10 TIE newspapers before being
forwarded 10 Washington The Board then adjourned.