National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-05
BURSTING BOILERS.
A Few Questions for the Supervising I'm
spector of Steamboats,

To the Editor OF The REPUBLICAN:
/ see in your paper of Tuesday morning
that Supervising Inspector General Dumont has
been interviewed either by request or otherwise
Il care not which, in regard to the safety of
steamers. He says the carelesSnesS of officers of
steamers cannot be altogether gu9rled against.
but does not say anything in regard to the utter
carelessness or I5apability of the inspectors who
inspect all SteaDeis here.
VIII he explain how it was that the inspectors
on the 18th of June. 1880, inspected the steamer
Mystic, owned by the Potomac Ferry Company
and gave certificate under oath for one wear chat
the boiler was safe and according to law? The
Mystic exploded ncr steam chimney on the Ssh of
March, 1881, killing John Accnely the engineer
who when ne took charge, found the certificate
in the engine room, and put faith in what they
had sworn to. Upon examination of the steam
chimney after the explosion ii was found that in
stead of having 10 braces, the number required
by law before certificate could be given there
was only thirty, one fourth of the number re-
quired. Yet, these very efficient officers have in
Spected this same boat four times and have each
time given certificate that she was safe At the
time of the last inspection the lining of the steam
chimney was so thin that any practical engineer
would have condemned it, even had all the braces
been there.
viii he also inform US how it was these same in
Spectors inspected the John ". Thompson October
20 1880, and gave certificate under oath that she
would run with safety until October 90 1881 when
at the time of inspection she had two large. soft
patches ON her steam chimney CONTRARY to law)
the iron thin. and chimney leaking?
had said before inspection she would not pass re-
ported the condition of her boiler to the president
of the company, who, being thorough practi-
cal man, knew the risk nm, and, being more con-
sderate of life than of money, gave orders that
she should not leave the dock again until new
lining was put in her steam chimney and her
boiler thoroughly overhauled and repaired.
viii he also inform Us why the explosion on the
Mystic has not been investigated as it is now over
two months since it happened? Is the evidence
too damaging, or is he trying to up the care
lessness or apability of the inspectors?
We venture to say that if the different masters
and pilots on the river were questioned as to
whether they hsve been examined as to the differ
ent courses up End down the river and bay, their
answer will be, No. And of the engineers vino
have received license during the past ten or
twelve years, ikthey were examined before getting
their license-Go.
VIII General Dumont say whether there is a per-
son III the office Of the Supervising Inspector capd-
Die OF examining either master or engineer re-
quiring first class license?
VIII he inform us why the Supervising Inspector
does not sometimes visit our boats here and
whether, in his opinion, if he should visit them,
as is his duty, he would know anything more when
he left than before he went aboard Probably he
would like some river engineer to answer this
question for him. This matter, Mr.. Editor is of
grave importance to the public, and, in the name
OF an old salt, trust you will lay it before them;
ana when these questions are thought over may
be able to give few more. SAFETY.