Evening journal., 1901-09-28
BAD PLUG ON
TRENTON'S BOILER
This Defect Believed 10 Have
CaHSed The FrightIul
Accident

The result Of a test of the fusble plug
of the City of Twntou's exploded boiler
was submitted yesterday az the Coroners
inquest upon the twonty-four victims of
the disaster. When the plug was puf-
chased by the Federal steamboat inspec-
tors the composition OF which Il was made
il was supposed, would melt at tenn
peraiure of 4S6 degrees. In the test or
dercd by the Coroner il melted at 695 de-
ereps. ana vas therefore. of no use as a
safeguard, II not positive source of
danger as deceptive 10 the engineer. As
has been said. the composition was not
that prescribed by law; that s Banca
tin. Inspector Vert. on the stand yester-
day. again admitted that he did not know
what the composition was but took the
word OF the manufacturer. and made iib
test Of it before supplying the boiler
maker. Moreover, the searching aud in
genious examination of Foreman Vau-
CLAIM made IL appear that the plug was
not placed at that part Of the boiler
which was exposed to the greatest heat.
A bridge wall wac placed in each Of the
City of Twnton's boilers 10y the makers.
Such a wall was not on the blue print
submitted TO Inspector Vert. and he ad-
mitied ON the stand that he was not
aware Of its existence in the boilers. yet.
he said. he gave certificate for their
operation. He had seen the boilers but
twice during their construction, aud had
taken the word of his assistant that the
boilers were constructed according TO the
hne print. That assistant David il.
Howard. testified that he knew there was
bridge wall in some boilers. but was
not certain about the boilers of the City
Of Trenton. On other points. both the
Inspector and his assistant confessed uu-
certainty Of knowledge.
TESTIMONY ALL IN.
The taking of testimony was ended YES.
terday, but the verdict viii not be- an.
nounced until Monday. Only three wit.
nesscs were examined. Foreman Van.
CLAIM asked nearly all the questions III
answer to his interrogations Mr.. Vert
said the law directed the fusible plml
10 be placed az the highest surface Of tht
boiler. In the ease under consideration II
was placed near the tube sheet. Wa,
that the hottest place? 1t was difficult
70 say, lie answered; he hadn't that mucl
experience. He admitted having seen tn,
boiler but twice during the course of il
construction. and as to the bridge wall
he relied upon his assistant for such in
formation.
inspector Howard was questioned as {,
the appearance Of the boiler after the ex
plosion. He said the crown sheet was %
reddish appearance. which could resul
only from. low water. He could not SCI
how there could have been one and "a hal
gauges or seven and a half inches of wa
Ter in the boiler, as was testified to b.
Engineer Murphy and Oiler Brysn.
NANUFACTURER on THE STAND
Edward Wehb, the manufacturer Of IN
safety ping. had testified ON Thursda
that the plug would melt at 4S6 degrees
as a plug from the same lot had bee
tested by Queen q Co.. with that r,
suit y report was then read to the jur!
written by Chemist Vincent. OF the Bal,
win Locomotive Works 1t stated ths
the plug taken from the wrecked boil,
grew limpid al J40 degrees: at $50 It II
tained It's shape and reached the meltin
point 90 635 degrees.
Asked TO explain this Mr. Webb coul
not do SO, ani said IL could come frol
some Jaw in the process of mauufactur
With this testimony the inquest tnded.