The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-01-19

and a steam drum so inches in diameter, and
sc inches high, and having a man-hole in the
/ top In the usual way. The boiler was provid-
ed with three try-cocks for ascertaining the
water level. The iron shell was 5-16 of an
inch thick, rolled perhaps little too thin for
that gusge. The heads were S-S of an inch
thick. The boiler shell. was torn into three
large sections and several small detached
pieces. The line Of rupture seems in every
case to have been in the round about the seams
mainly, as most of the longitudinal seams are
undisturbed, and almost in all cases at the
center-iine of the rents, which, of course, is
the weakest part of all boilers. But it also
shows that the rivets and riveting was good.
The line OF the fracture being with the grain
of the iron as rolled, and not across If, does
not, of course, show the tensile strength of
the iron to its best advantage, but from a
careful examination of all the plates torn, we
do not hesitate TO call it q good quality of
boiler iron. Regarding the number and size
OF the stays between the shell and heads, we
would say there is no definite standard rule
by which they are regulated, and as there
might be some difference of opinion as to the
number and size required, we took especial
pains to observe if there were any indications
Of a want OF strength in this direction and
from a careful examination of OF both the
heads of the boiler, we are satisfied that the
rupture OF the stays did not precede the ex-
ploslon; neither was the explosion caused by
any fault OF the staying.
Havir- thus directed our examination to
the various points indicated above, we di-
rected our iUfiHer investigations with a view
to arrive at the probable cause of so terrific an
explosion and while we should hesitate to
givo 80 q season one that might be regarded
as casting unj Just reflections upon the misfor-
tunate man in charge of the boilers, at the
time of the explosion, by those who are not
practical men IN the use of steam machinery,
we 90 so knowing that engineers and those
connected with the use of boilers, and espec-
Ially new boilers, will recognize the fact as
being their own experience, that there are
times when the most careful man may be de-
celved as to the quantity OF water within the
boiler and when the utmost care cannot pre-
vent risk and uncertainty In this respect So
without any intent to cast the slightest sus-
picion upon the skill and fidelity to his duty,
of the engineer IN charge, it Is our unanimous
conclusion from the examination made, that
the explosion was produced by excessive pres
sure induced by an insufficient supply OF wa
ter in the boiler.
Respectfully yours,
I. R. DEFoREsT
Local Inspector, Cleveland, Ohio.
A.C. GETcHEL,
Inspector for Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance
Company.
THos5ss FITZPATRICK,
Chief Engineer United states Revenue Marine.
j. f. PANKHURsT,
Globe Iron Works
GEO. FITZPATRICK,
Marine Engineer.
J. T. HOLLOWAY,
Superintend INT CuyahOga Works.
JAMES NEWMAN,
Foreman Boiler Shop Cuyahoga Works.
Each Of the men signing the above Statement
have been practical engineers and in daily perform
auce for their duties as such, for from fifteen 10
thirty years, and are fully upetent to speak in
the matter, and their unanimous conclusion must
le taken as the real cause of the fearful eata-
strophe. N. K.