Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-12
ON BOILER EXPLOSIONS

A IN
~ The Public Ledger of Philadelphia, June 10, 1867,
Just one week following the ghtful boiler explosion on
were killed, many others dreaduly injured and
the manufactoy in which the boiler was located was ut
tery destroyed in moment of time contained the most
excellent article on Prevention of Boiler Explosions,
which is herewith subiOined.
since the SAMSON street catastrophe great number Of
similar disasters have occurred in various parts of the
United States and that attended with fearful
Aug 80, 1871. in this language:
"A Staten Island terry boat blown up; nearly htty
killed and seventy wounded; rescung the victims
scenes in the Hospital and at the Morguc hearrendns
And closely following this horror is one in St. Louis,
No The telegraph dispatch in the papers OF August
the Union Steamboat Flour Mills Of wager & Co on
Florida street, exploded, instantly killing John Scott
the engineer and James o. Jones' the fireman The en-
tire building blown out and fragments of the boiler
were thrown into Fourth street. A HALF NILE distant
needless disasters the well timed article from the Ledger
10, 1861 referred to above, shoud be read with
1PREvESTioN OF BOILER EXPLOSIONS"
1.-THE recent steam boiler explosion warns again, in
tones not to be forgotten that greater security
life and property in the use Of steam has become para
ons the subject demands the attention every
one who values his own personal safety. The public
will be again told that ignorance and want of experience
reckless, if not w1lltu neglect of the most Obvious
precautions-materiaa and Workmanship of bad quality
low pressuIe-exposive overwhelmingly
other such thing, has been the of this
terrible calamity. But it must not be overlooked
that steam boiler explosions largely destructive to life
and property have occurred more than in the larg
est, most experienced, and most carefully managed
city;
possible TO procure boiler plates OF wrought iron
bly, reliable that will remain So matter bow much
is bestowed upon their manufacture or Inspection
gether, with the very best workmanship under the
same fate as the most inferior. THUS whether these
much used appliances are made as near perfection as
may be, directed by intelligent and sk1ul management
or the Their end is but too often the same.
Under such condition of things it is not worth while to
waste time in theOrzng as to the questionable causes
1t with the disastrous results and their possible
remedies that wise men should deal
"oteam boilers can no more be absolutely secure
against some kind explosion fracture than guns
ordnance But they should be and be so that
accomplish this importan. end the prevailing sys
ten has been found after century of trial entirely at
donment, .,..,.-,..
then the State Legislature, in their efforts to enforce
stringent rules for the inspection of all boilers Of the
should try the experiment OF an ordnance or law That
boilers after certain date shall be erected within
city limits unless certificate is first obtained nom
competent inspectors tnat an explosion 81 saia Dosr
WILL NOT BE DANGEROUS There is no full security in
any direction, pass what law yon WILL make what IN
rhe time is not far distant when the present system
doubt that no change for the better is possible The
public safety demands that these engines of de-
stuction shall no longer be kept hidden from sight in
the Easements of our most densey peopled neighbor-
hoods or in crowded workshops and even under the
busy foo:ways over which unconsciousy tread, al
ways ready for havoc, and only perhaps temporarily
is seldom if ever known,
If these destructive engines things, and 1t
first proposed to place hundreds of them in
crowded thOrOughfares and under payements, who
wOud listen to such proposition? 1t would not be en-
tertaned for a moment. Neither should the system
itself although it is well established, be tolerated for
day beyond the time when 1t can be dispensed with"
1t is beyond controversy doubt that the fracture Of
steam generating apparatus and may occur under
any system of construction. No amount of odcia In
spection special entirely prevent this and It
be set down imperative law II safety is be
secured, that all boilers should be constructed that
their explosion may not be dangerous"
Let us now consider how parity of reasoning Will
apply the of steam. In almost every OF boiler
explosions have the changes rung upon the stereO-
typed words, culpable neglect in essential particu
ar' "gross ignorance" or "carelessness" and that
closer and frequent official inspection, greater
skill and careful oversight the part of those in
charge woud have prevented the catastrophe, So it
might in some instances, doubt; but 1t should be
borne in mind that neglect and careessness (whether
wlful not) well as the most stupid ignorance, may
always be counted upon.
Hence should adopt axiom that safety is to be
looked for amidst the greatest amount of ignornce
illfu carelessness and neglect with which steam
generating apparatus may be used without causing dis
rather than in the exercise of the greatest and
skill
And with the sound doctrines set forth In Che foregoing
article 1t is just to add thereto that the only steam gen
orator that is not dangerous isthe
HARRISON SAFETY BOILER.
From the long list of those using the Harrison
Boiler present the subjoned, where the Boilers can
hn on m ODpr