Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-11-13
EXTENSIVE BOlLEReTESTS.
The Expcrinac nts to be M nale at So nd
ll0Uk and l9ll GxbarR.


The New York Tribune contains tho
following relative to this most impor-
tant work:
The preparations for the extensive
series of experiments in the explosion
Of steamboats, at Sandy Hook and at
Pittsburg have been proceeding with
great vigor during the past few weeks.
During the past month Supervising In
spect0r Low has made frequent visits
to the scenes of the coming tests, and
on several occasions has been accom-
panied by eminent engineers, manu-
faoturers, and scientists. In response
to the request issued by the commits
sioners appointed by the United States,
numerous suggestions have been made
at various times, which have materially
aided the commissioners in their ef-
forts, and will unqnestionably lead to
thu achievement If q greater success.
It is the purpose of tho commission
to institute experiments to test the
truth or fallacy Of tho various theories
as to the cause of steam boiler expl0.
sions-thcories which are briefly emu
merated as follows:
First-Explosions caused by the
gradual increase of steam pressure.
Second Those caused by low water
and over-heating of the plates of the
boiler.
Third-Those caused by deposit OF
sediment, or incrustation on the inner
surface exposed to the fire.
FOCrth-Th0se caused by the Rener-
alton of explosive gasses within the
boiler.
Fifth-!Those caused by electrical
action.
Sixth-Those caused by the percus.
sive octi0n of the water in case of
rupture of boiler in the steam chamber
CLARK & Colburn theory.
Seventh-Those caused by the water
being deprived of its air.
Eighth-Those caused by the sphe-
roidal condition of tho water.
Nintb.-ThOse caused by the Hepul-
sion of the water from the fire-surfaces
OF platter.
The commission appointed by the
government to carry forward the work,
consists of the following named gentle
men: Supervising Inspector Addison
Low, of New York q. w. Copeland,
of New York J. II. Robinson, of Bos-
ton; Supervising Inspector John Men.
shaw, of Baltimore; J. v. Holmes, of
Ohio; Benjamin Crawford and Super.
vising Inspector John s. Devinney, of
Pittsburg. As has been announced,
$1O0, 600 has been appropriated by the
United States Government to be ex-
pended on the experiments at Sandy
Hook and Pittsburg. The tests were
expected ;originally to occur in Sep
tember, or at the latest in October.
The preparations, however, have been
so much more extensive, and the time
consumed so much longer than was at
first deemed pecessary, that the delay
of two months has been unavoidable.
It has now been determined, however.
that the experiment shall begin at
once, and Wednesday next has
been fixed rs the opening
day. A force of twenty men has
been constantly employed at Sandy
Hook during the past few days, md
ten boilers have been placed in posi-.
tion. These boilers, upon which the
first experiments are to be made, are
constructed of the best material, are in
q perfectly sound condition, and are to
be placed in the position naturally oc
cupicd by them on the vessel. Self
regulating gaug of high-pressure are
to be buried in the earth near the boil
ers, and all necessary instruments, in.
Guiding pyrometers, thermometers,
etc., will be in readiness before the
opening day. At q distance of $50 feet
from the boilers is huge bomb.proof,
the place OF safety, and at present the
storehouse of q large portion of the in.
struments employed. The experiments
at Sandy Hook will consume several
days. The Plttsburg tests arc to be-
/ gin on Wednesday, November IL, and
the committee will proceed from Sandy
Hook direct to Pittsburg. A large
number of experiments with safety
valves will also be made at Sandy Hook
at the conclusion of the Pittsburg tests.