Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-03
END OF STEAMER INQUEST.
City of Trenton Disaster Probed-verdici
was Rendered Saturday !.

Ihb VI W
City of Trenton Disaster Probed-verdict
was Rendered saturday
Philadelphia, Pa, Sept. 49, THAT
tho safety plugs furnished by the gov.
eminent for the boilers on the Inflated
steamer City of Trenton were worthless
was proved by experts yesterday in the
coroner's court. These plugs, male OF
Banca tin, are guaranteed to melt and
relieve steam pressure at 436 degrees.
The plugs furnished for the City OF
Trenton's boilers resisted $50 degrees
OF heat for long time, and only melted
at 600. The tests we're made at the
Baldwin locomotive works, and demon-
strate that this particular lot of plugs
was wholly worthless.
The Jury OF experts made written
record OF the plug test, and the Federal
authorities will be called upon to con-
slider the facts brought out by the testi-
mony Of the men who tested the plugs.
1t must be understood, however, that
these plugs arc introduced entirely as
measure Of last resort, and that they
are OF doubtful value at any time. 1t
has been testified that the pressure
| time of the explosion was only 160
at 175 degrees. and that the boilers
we're guaranteed and registered to stand
pressure far in excess of this maxi
mum.
Immediately after assembling yester-
day Foreman Vnuclain of the jury asked
Coroner Dugan to recall Christian
| Verta, the government steamboat boiler
| INSPECTOR. Mr.. Verts was examined Us
to his inspection OF the boieis OF steam
boats in general and particularly as to
his work on the boilers Of the City OF
| Trenton.
He admitted he did not personally
| inspect the boilers of the steamer, but
asserted that his assistant, Mr.. Howard,
had done so. He admitted that certif.
Gates uf inspection given for the boilers
| of the City of Trenton were signed by
him. Each OF the jurors questioned
Mr.. Verts as to the fussible plug.
"You are supposed to know what
metal they are made of, and at what
pressure they will fuse. ls not that so?"
asked Foreman Vauclain.
The witness nodded assent. How
could you know without having made
some tests? Did you ever test any OF
those plugs?"
Mr.. Verts replied that il never oc-
CURED to him that tests were necessary,
as the plugs we're supposed to melt at
436 degrees.
"You supply the same kind OF plugs
for all boilers?n
1--WE only ret one kind
''Was the fusible plug placed on the
hottest part of the crown sheet of the
City OF Trenton's boiler?"
II think 10 was. :"
| M VIM knoU IL waq9H
81 would not swear positively it was,
for | am not familiar with the con.
etruction OF the particular type oil
boiler that was in the Trenton
Are you familiar with the fusing Of
metalsY Do you know the degrees al
which lead, anthony and other metals
will fuse?"
"No, sir, can't say that do"
at would imagine that q government
inspector ought to know these things,
was the comment of Mr.. Vauolain.
: Assistant Boiler Inspector Howard
was then recalled Foreman Vauclair
questioned him as follows:
"You heard the statements mad'
. under oath by the engineer and oiler o
the City of Trenton that two minute
! before the explosion there were 81!
: inches of water over the crown sheetY'
"les. "
"From what you saw in your exam
3 nation OF the boiler after this occur
, renee do you believe their statements!'
! II cannot believe their statements a
! against my opinion to tine contrary.
Elisha Webb, member OF the firm
that manufactures the fusible plugs TO
= the government, was then recalled.
"Do you know at what point of pres
! sure this plug would fuse?" aske'
= Foreman Vauclain.
SAT 436 degrees.
"How do you know that9''
Y because l know the lot it cam
: from.
, SIS there any mark on it by whic
! you know it?'
"Well, the inspectors told me it wa
o from certain lot furnished them, en-
!. tested the metal from which that 10
= was made. ="
= "You are positive it would fuse a
y the degree you indicator"
= positive.
= At this point the report Of the test {
q tho plug was read, showing that
- failed to fuse until 695 degrees wer
i reached.
= The jury retired and 1T was announce
y that verdict would not be rendere
- until today.