The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-29
THE S. O. PEARCE EXPLOSION.

INQUEST BY THE CORONER YEsTERDAY-THE
EXPLOSION CAUSED DY GROSS CARRLEssNEss
ON THE PART OF THE ENGINEER.
An investigation was begun nj the Coroners'
olfice yesterday afternoon in the OF James Ma
hony and David Kalter. fireman and engineer OF tine
tugpoar y. o. Pearce, which exploded her steam
chimney opposite Fourteenth street, North River.
on the evening of the 22d instant the ariculars
OF Which appeared IN the HERALD the following
morning. From the evidence adduced there re-
MAINS little room for doubt taat the accident
was accustomed solely by the gross careessness
anc negligence of the engineer, David Kalter.
Charles Harvey testified as follows:-I am a
United States Inspector Of Boilers, stationed at
Albany; II was on toe. 2Sth OF August, 1874 that
made the last oaicial examination OF the boar,
tested her boiler with hydrostatic pressure OF
forty-seven pounds TO the square lnch and after
having so done and made a practical external
anu Internal examination OF tine actual condition
OF the lining OF the steam chimney, furnace and
nues, back connections, steam pipe ana every
thing appertaining thereto; afrer q careful con-
slderanon allowed ner thir,y-hve pounds to The
square inch; Ut that tine she had Il lookup
saiety valve OF an area OF twelve square inches,
and main safety valve OF nineteen square inches
tue condition or the steam chimney was such tRat
J considered the two valves were in proper condl-
ton 10 snow they were In good order; the boiler
seemed sufficiently sound TO warrant N e IN giving
a certinca Tor thirty five pounds to The square
lncn; examined the steamer alter the accident
ana found the lining OF the steam
CHIMNEY had collapsed about eighteen inches
from the top or the boiler; examined the mercury
gauge In the engine room. and found II sho wed
lorty-elght POUNDS to the square inch---an excess
of thirteen pounds over and above what the YES
Sci was allowed TOOK tue main safety valve
apart ana iound It was 80 cOrroded that fifty or
sixty pounds OF steam would not have raised 1t;
the government lookup valve was OFF the vessel
believe the explosion to nave been caused by
GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND CARELEssNRss
on the part OF the engineer in not having gov
valve TO get out OF order and carrying more steam
than was allowed; the boiler l consider quite
good enough to carry thirty-hve pounds OF steam
To the square inch.
Cnar.es Il. Craig, mate of the Pearce, testified
that the engineer told him, nearly year ago,
that he carried more steam than was allowed by
law.
Addison Low, Supervising Inspector OF steam
vessels, testified the boiler In question was u
high pressure one and was built Tor boar run
ming between Baltimore and Philadelphia; after
aavIng been used some little time 1t was taken
out, IN consequence OF larger engine having
been put In the boat; It was then put IN the hands
oil Wea1c IL LeIvy. or Philadelphia, for sale; ABOUT
three years ago the owner OF the Pearce. hearing
was going To Philadelphia, requested me to stop
requested and found the boiler good, but
ENTIRELY TOO SMALL
for the Pearce. and 30 reported 10 her owner;
he purchased II, however and put 1t In his vessel
two years ago LAST winter; ! never mad auy
knowledge OF the boiler from that time until the
explosion occurred; l had nothing whatever 10
do with tue purchasing OF the boiler; alter the
boiler was put III had no occasion to examine IT,
ton, and fully concur In what Inspector Harvey
has said; In Sone places the iron OF the steam
cnimney found not exceeding the thickness oil q
knife blade; 1t was originally quarter OF an lneh
thick put mad lam.nated by the action OF the
heat.
Henry B. Craig Captain OF the Pearce testified
to the fact oil the explosion, the COOK and fireman
having Jumped overheard and mis- exerlions to
save them; he said ne aid not know what pres
sure OF steam the boiler was carrying at the time
Of the explosion. as that Is a matter over when
the engineer has exclusive control; the engineer
frequently told me That he
CARRIED MORE STEAM
than thirty-hve pounds. the object being to do
more work; the engineer once told me the boiler
was perfectly safe VITA seventy-1ve pounds or
steam.
One Of the 1remen, Simon Cannon, testified to
having seen the BOILER carry forty-ave pounds OF
steam.
AT this 81 age OF the inquest 1t was found neces-
sary 10 adjourn the case over ull tomorrow
morning at ten O'Clock because OF the absence or
several material wltne ,ses.