The New York herald., 1873-11-22
THE HARLEM BoIrER EXPLOSION.
Third Days Investigation Before Coroner
Kessler-Examination Of Contractors, Ma
chinisb and Engineers - to the
Strength and Quality Of the Boiler.

The Investigation as to the cause OF death OF the
victims OF the Harlem boiler explosion was con-
tinued yesterday before Coroner Kessler and the
Jury at the Coroner's ofice. The inquiry COM
menced at twelve O'Clock and was continued until
four. The evidence submitted was that OF contrac-
tors and machiniss as to the quality ana strength
OF the boiler, upon the efficiency OF which great
strength was laid BY all the witnesses.
WHAT CONTRACTOR DILLON SAYS.
Sydney Dillon, oil No. West Thirty.seventh
street, was the first witness called. He tes-
tned that he was contractor for the
Fourth avenue Improvement from the Harlem
River TO Forty-second street, the woik was
given by the Harlem Railroad Improvement
Company; about thTee-lourths Of the work
was given out TO sub-contractors; lived at Spring
ield Mass, and was the principal contractor for
the Fourth avenue Improvement at particular
parts they had foremen Mr.. Hall had charge OF
the machinery; that part OF the work from l24th
street to Harlem Bridge sub-let to Coyne Il
Beemer; the contractors we're compelled TO do the
work according TO contracts witness and his part
ner did not furnish the sub-contractors with ma
chInery or tools OF any description; the company's
engineers make report OF the work done monthly
and the progress made; the subcontractors. as
far az he could ascertain, were good, straghtfor-
ward and reliable mSl never heard from any per-
son, directly or indirectly, that the boilers or
gines were unsafe Mr.. Buckh0ut Is the principal
engineer OF the Harlem Railroad; could not tell
whether they were reliable not; thought that
Coyne Il Boomer, the sub-contractors, stood In the
same relation to them as they did to the Harlem
Railroad.
In answer to Coroner Kessler witness said they
had no power over the sub-contractors, and they
had no right to dictate to them whether they
should employ steam power or use manual labor;
hot n rpa tforl m hair T,a
original specifications between the witness and
Coyne 4 Beemer were handed to the Coroner for
inspection.
DILLON CLYDE's MACRINIsT.
william Hall, OF NO. 223 East 126th street, testi-
fed that he was machinist, and had charge OF
Dillon Clydes machinery, drilling tools and boil.
ers; had never been sent to examine the engines
used by the sub-contractors. Coyne q Beemer.
WHAT A CONSTRUCTING ENGINEER SAYS.
John Bemore, OF l10th street and First avenue,
testified that he was constructing engineer in
the employ OF the Harlem Gas Company; was the
owner, Of the exploded boiler; bought it on the
9th OF October last from A. s. Cameron; it
had been used days It as WAS
day OF June. 1873 the boiler was let to SUBJ
contractors on the same line OF works, named
until the 18th day OF August, for pumping. under
witnesses control; thought from its general ap-
pearance that 1t was very strong. boiler; after
working the Al days 1t was sent back TO A. S.
Cameron witness was to ay-them So per day for
the use OF it; on October Mr.. Beemer called upon
hlm in reference to procuring him a boiler Tor
hosting purposes; witness, accompanied by Mr..
Beemer, went to A. S. Cameron. and was told that
about 80 100 pounds pressure; witness thought it
would be sale at 12o pounds and thought it was one
OF the strongest made boilers he had ever seen, and
agreed TO purchase 1t from the makers for $3.50 at
the same time he let 1t TO Mr. Beemer for 81 per
day; witnesses connection with the, boiler then
It It u 70 coyne an Beemer;' VIM man '0nssed named
James Ridley, steam gas ftteI was employed TO
fit 1t up; Mr.. Ridley refused to run the boiler, and
witness told Mr.. Beemer and recommended him
an engineer, named Johnson; subsequently Mr..
Barnum was employed to run the boiler had occa-
sionally seen the boiler at work; never noticed
it OF any kind; had seen little leak between the
plates Just above the furnace door; had been told
that the boiler did not make steam fast enough I;
had seen 80 pounds pressure OF steam in the boiler
at one time; never had the boiler tested it was
who fitted it up was in my employ; he
was not q licensed .englneer; was told
carry 50 pounds OF steam; Ridley was employed
BY witness for some time to run sne boiler on
was not a licensed engineer but believed him a
competent man; witness was not a licensed eng-
neer; the nttngs 5i the boiler were steam fittings,
and not gas 2trings never reported to the Board
OF PDl.c9 that he was the owner OF the boiler; Rd
ley said he would not run the Doiler If it was to be
tended by the boy; believed the boiler was quite
large enough to do the work 1t was required to do
was employed by the Harlem Gaslight Company as
constructing engineer the tubes OF the boiler were
about one and Onehalf inches in width ana two
feet IN length: when witness passed by the boiler
on the day before the explosion the engineer was
not there; all the engineers OF the gas company
were under witness charge, and they were all
compelled to show certificates; witness, as surer-
vlsng engineer, did not need a license; witness
examined the boiler before buying Ii, and under
stood that II had been tested
The jury here took recess of Is minutes,
After Recess.
Mr.. Kinney, clerk OF Messrs. Cameron, the ma
chinists, called and certified as to the hiring
OF the boiler by Mr.. Balmore and Its subsequent
safe be believed the boiler TO be good one ; it
was not tested to his knowledge.
TESTIMONY HUGH s. CAMERON.
Mr.. Cameron, OF the firm OF Cameron & Co., Ga
chinists, said that he bought this exploded
boiler, with other boilers. from the New York
Steam Engine Works about twelve or eighteen
months ago; he bought them as new machinery;
he purchased the lease OF these works In 1868,
when he moved IN; his firm did not MAKE boilers
he sold this boiler for $3.50 to Mr.. Bamore
he hired IL to him 1irst at So day;
the boiler was very good one; 1t had been under
cover with others, since IL was made, with the ex-
ception Of few months, when IL was exposed 10
the weather; IL was perfectly safe boiler; Mr..
BalmOre said TO him soon after he had hired 1t and
worked 1t that 1t worked admirably the boiler was
not tested before 1t went out OF his place; he would
be willing TO stand on that boiler at 100 pounds or
steam; he thought 1t was obligatory on the owner
to have the boiler tested; three holes drilled
firm for steam cocks. did not I'm rnish the