Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-10-14
Amateur Engineering.

An effect of the widening use OF steam
machinery is that Il tends to raise mp a
multitude of men who-trusting rather TO
that familiarity that breeds contempt
than 10 the practical knowledge of the Ia
turr and properties OF steam which every
Trustworthy engineer must have-are ever
willing. if not eager, to step into the en-
gineer's berth. They have seen an en-
| zine run. day IN and day ont. Perhaps they
have occasionally helped to run one. Atany
rate, they have worked about an engine
good deal and as the engineer does not
impress them as man OF renarkapie
ability they do not see why anybody can
not do as well as he. At least they are
confident that they can, and, In case OF
emergency, are willing TO put their
knowledge for their lack OF III to a test
When the emergency arises employers
are too apt TO give such amateur engineers
a chance TO try their hand. The actual
engineer is called off suddenly, is sick, or
otherwise kept from his post. Somebody
must take his place or everybody must
stop work. What shall be doney
Dick is handy. Not a regular engineer,
TO be sure, still bright fellow who knows
an engine well enough to keep II running
if all goes right; and the particular en-
CINE. the engineer says, Is in such good
condition that il win almost run itself
So Dick rs called in and the gap is filled.
Sometimes the engineer is away longer
than was anticipated; sometimes he never
comes back. Dick has done well so far !;
he has gained some experience in caring
for the engine, and if he is willing and
modest ia his charges-of course he won't
expect full-fedged engineers pay at
first-his sudden promotion is likely TO
be a permanent one. He may turn out
equal to every emergency; then, again, he
may not.
II is not long since case Of this kind
resulted, in our harbor, in the blowing-up
of crowded ferry-boat. There was a
terrible list of killed and wounded; and
Dick IAN illiterate negrol was returned to
his proper place as deck hand or fireman.
II was criminal in the first place to lethim
step out of il.
But few weeks since an English man.
ufactory was blown up, killing several
workmen. The regular engineer was abb
sent, sick; and the substitute, who sue
ceeded in making such mess with things,
was one of the workmen, promoted for
the occasion on the strength of his pre-
tended ability to run an engine-abllity
gained from observation, apparently, since
his engineering education was but the
slightest and his practice as limited as it
was disastrous.
With characterize Difference to the rights
Of property, the Coroner's jury in this case
moaestly suggested that, in future, the
proprietors Of the works would do well
not TO trust their boilers with anyone in
whose capacity they had not perfect con-
fdencei
In leading family paper we saw, the
other day, d well-written story, telling
" How Tom Became an Engineer Tom
was Of the genus loafer; specific habitat, a
country railway station. The height OF his
ambition was 10 run an engine. A com
monplace lad would have gone to work in
locomotive shop, or, more modestly,
would have begun by shoveling coal as
fireman. Not so Tom. He was to be
engineer or nothing. So he loafed about
the station, watching his opportunity His
time came with a smash-up on the road,
relief train called for, and no engineer at
hand. OF course Tom volunteered, was
accepted, and performed his task with the
elan of all great geniuses. Equally OF
course he was thereupon made master OF
an engine, and speedily rose to be presi'
dent of as many railways as if his name
had been Tom Scott. .....
The moral Of the story is plain and very
encouraging TO all boys given to loafing
about railway stations. 1t is significant,
too, Of a prevalent belief that the art of
managing an engine comes, like Dogber-
rvs reading and writing-by nature.
Such belief, however covert, cannot pre-
vail TO any extent without frequent occa-
sion for putting it into practice. With
regard to the intrusting of boilers to in
competent amateurs, we have evidence
for believing it far too common. The
wonder is that more explosions do not oc-
cur, and the risk of serious accident from
this source is likely to continue just so
long as presumption and general smart
ness are allowed to take the place, even
temporarily, Of technical skill gained
through patient and studious apprentice.
ship.
Steam is clever giant, an obliging
servant; but, like all giants, it will moi
stand fooling, and Is obedient only when
under the hand Of master--Seientift
iyuepirua