The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-10
TESTING. StcaGn- BoIlers-SO Exciting
Experiments TO be Made Mt Pitts


Dureil.
A Pittsburgh dispatch says preparations
for experimenting on steam boilers, for
which purpose Congress last winter appro.
priaM 100000. have been almost fully
completed at that city. The points chosen
for these experiments are Sandy Hook, New
York, and Pittsburgh this latter place by
reason Of its being great iron mart and for
the extensive business done in the manufac-
turc Of boilers for Western steamboats,.
The commission appointed to carry out
these series Of experiments are General D..
D. Smith, of New York; Captain j. $. De-
ynney, of Stcubcnvle, Ohio; Benjamin
OF Mount Vernon, Ohio; and W. Il. Haw-
kins. of Lock Haven, Pa. The tract of land
secured for the Purpose of testing the
strength of these iron vessels is known
AZ the Minhal farm, and is situated
about six miles from the city, on
thcbanks of the Monongahela river. Thel
testing ground is not 4 great distance from
the Poor Farm. and this accounts for the fall
ing off in the number Of inmates to this in
stituton during the past few weeks. In a
deep rayine, woody and melancholy in APP
pearance... three boilers have been placed in
position, known as the high-pressure marine
boilers, the same as are in use on the greater
part, il not all, the Western river steam
boats. These vessels are set at right
angles with the Monongahela river and the
hillside. The first boiler Is q finished piece
of Workmanship, Of extra strength, and
double-riyetcd. It's shell is of onefourth
inch iron, its heads of one-half inch iron,
and in length it is tweuty-four feet long by
forty inches in diameter. and it weighs 5000
rounds. The second boiler also bears the
appearance of the highest mechanical art.
Unlike tue other, it is constructed of
steel, and great care is apparent in
the manner of the liyeting of the
each Joint or scam. 1t has tive flues, and is
of similar dimensions as the preriously-de.
scribcd boiler. This vessel, it is supposed,
will sustain pressure OF fully l,OOO pounds
per square iuch before colapsing. These
Two boilers were made in this city, but the
third was constructed in Cincinnati, and
ftom the fact that its makers were Ignorant
as to the purpose to which it was to be put,
the Inference Is that no extra work was done
on it. The supposition is that it fairly repre-
sents the average steamboat boiler. It's Oh
mansions are precisely the same as the
others. and but one row Of rivets run along
its seams. -"'. ~
The bomb-proofs or retreats for those bay
ING charge of the. experiments are alarmingiy
close 70 the doomed boilers. They are stu
ated near the forward end Of each boiler, NOT
in any instance being further distant than
fifteen feet. The sides of, the hill form TWO
walls of these structures, and then there Is a
very thick wall Of whiteoak timber surround
;nothe remaining two sides. These walls
ore of the best whiteoak timber procurable,
and mt together carefully and with an eye
to rreat strength. The roof Of the retreat
IS q solid timber thrty-two inches in
thickness. over which is a heavy de-
nosit OF clay. Above this is laid q
covering of railroad iron, firmly riyeted to-
ppther. In 1act, the bomb.proot is made
Secure, and human life within its walls is
absolutely safe from either boiling water or
fragments of iron. Observations OF the test
will be made through the agency OF hydrau-
| lie pipes extending from the boilers to the
| interior of the easements. To these pipes
are attached steam gauges of unusual
strength whe,rwith to stand the enormous
| pressure they will be obliged to bear.
| The experiments commence on next We'd
| ncsday week, before which time the forest
concealinn the three boilers from view will
be cleared away, in order that those who de-
| sire 70 witness tie effect OF the explosion
may do 50 from neighborirg cliff, which
rises to considerable height above the
ground on which the boilers rest.
1t is expected to bring to the test other
makes and descriptions of boilers, and it
mav be pha, these experiments will continue
for some months. When break occurs in
my one of the boilers il is proposed 10 re-
mir it and proceed with the tests until an