New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-10
Neglect May Loose Army
of Kicking Mules"
on Owner.
TANKS AND PIPING
SHOULD BE WATCHED
Careful Testing Is Essential Be-
fore Placing Craft in
Commission.
BY ~. CLIFFORD BROktW.
West ~idc Y. VI. C. A.

\ gasoene explosion can cause more
trouble in one second than a kicking mule
could cause in an hour. and the motor
boat owner who ueglectS the matter OF
gasolene installation has a whole army OF
kicking mCles on his boat waiting for the
proper time and combination Of circum-
stances 10 left ~ their heels and tear
things to pieces
The proper time and the proper cir
cumstances generally pop up when the
boat is far from land and the life pre-
servers are all safely under lock and
key" in the forward locker. where the
force of the explosion makes it impossi-
he TO reach .hem. Generally when saso-
lene explosions occur the owner Of the
boat goes I'm one direction and the for
ward locker and the life preservers go the
other
How about that gasolene tank and pip
ing of yours? Are they in good -oudi-
ton? II they are not there is posi-
bility that some nice afternoon this sum
mer that army Of mules will let ont their
heels and you. with your guests. will
nave a long swim FOR shore. II not worse
BY all means test the tank and tubing
Don't use matches or a lantern 10 locat
leaks. Air pressure - the only certain
and safe way to ascertain the condition
Of tank and pipings. Uncouple the feei
pipe at the carburetor then attach an air
pump--a small hand bicycle pump vii
do well. Pump the tank and piping full
Of air II they hold the pressure. or. in
other words Il the air does not leak out
YOU ma, feel certain that everything is in
cood condition. But make certain that
they hold the pressure for several min
utcS.
Gasoline tanks which feed 10y gravity
have a tiny air vent i'm the top, generally
in the middle of the screw cap. Get a
friend to hold his finger over the vent
While YOU pump in the air.
Tanks which must have an air pressure
to force the sasolene to the carburetor
are easier 10 test. Uncouple the pipe at
the carburotor and plug up the end OF
the pipe with tight fitting cork or piece
of wood. Then put on the pressure. II
it holds there is nothing to fear.
II the equipment Will not hold the
pressure there is a leak somewhere. Get
a piece Of soap and put lather Of suds
on all the piping joints. Then put on the
air pressure and the presence of air bulb
bles Will indicate a leak at the joins.
II the leak is not there. put soap suds on
the seams OF the tank. and so on until
YOU have found the weak spot.
If the leak is a bad one or if the tank
is old. the safest thing to do is to get
new outfit
1t is a good plan TO rig a drip pan
under your carburetor, so that it will
cItch all gasolene drippings. II will pre-
vent sasolene from getting into the bilge
OF your boat.
Many explosions are caused by gasolene
in the biige water The gasolene floats
on the surface of the water. and the rock
ing OF the boat, even when at anchor.
losses it about and mixes it with air. The
result is a highly explosive mixture and
and match or lighted lantern will do
the rest.
II would be a good thing to pay little
attention TO your boat If it is still on
shore. Be certain that there is a circula
ton Of air through the hull. and also the
cabin If you have cabin boat The hot
sun beating down on a boat will make it
like az oven under the canvas covering
or in the cabin