No. 1. Nottingham.

January 1st.

none injured.

Locomotive, 110 lbs., standing with steam up near a platform. All but the fire box was blown away, the main portion being thrown a distance of 400 yards. The first rent took place at a longitudinal seam of the barrel where grooving had gone on very rapidly, which was not discovered when examined and tested a short time before.

No. 2. Walsall. (Fig. 1.)

January 2nd.

2 injured.

Butterley, 26ft. 6in. long, and 9ft. diameter. The wagon-shaped top to the fire place was 8ft. 6in. long, and was attached to the bell-mouth of the internal tube, which then continued circular to the back of the boiler. The tube was 3ft. 6in. diameter. All the plates were about 7-16ths inch thick, and although the boiler was an old one, they were nowhere reduced in thickness by wear. The usual pressure of steam was 18 lbs., and a self-registering gauge showed that at the time of explosion it did not exceed 20 lbs.

The top of the fire grate on the right side rent longitudinally, and the upper part of the shell consisting of four rings of plates, and also the top of the fire place opened out and blew away to a considerable distance.

The front end also blew away. The bell-mouth of the tube was blown to the front, and the tube which remained in the back part of the shell collapsed upwards.

The cause of the explosion was most likely the intrinsic weakness of boilers of this shape, especially over the fire, where the top is only retained in its shape by numerous stays. The boiler had been very frequently repaired, at this the weakest place, and its strength had been thus so reduced as to make it unable to bear even a few pounds more than the ordinary working pressure.

The whistle was found to have been gagged by hemp, carefully inserted, so that there is ground for supposing there had been intentional unfair usage.

No.3. Blyth. (Fig. 2.)

January 8th.

1 killed 1 injured.

Marine, 20ft. long, and 5ft. diameter, with internal fire place and return flue, 14 lbs. There were altogether three rents in the tube over the fire, as a small band was held in its place by a stay from the tube to the shell. The escaping contents scalded those near, but no damage was done to anything but the boiler.

The cause was stated to be shortness of water. There was no water gauge.

No.4. London.

January 9th.

1 killed.

One tube Cornish, 28ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, with one tube 3-6 diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs.

The tube collapsed in an incline direction from weakness without strengthening rings.

The appearance after explosion was nearly the same as that shown in sketch given at No. 12 explosion.

No.5. Glasgow. (Fig. 3.)

January 13th.

4 killed, 4 injured.

Two tube Cornish, 22ft. 3in. long, and 7ft. 7in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, tubes 2ft. 7in. diameter, 40 lbs.

About 8ft of the back portion of the shell was torn off, leaving the tubes and ends intact.

The cause of the explosion was considered to be excessive pressure, but how accumulated did not transpire.

It is most natural to expect that there must have been corrosion under the bottom to cause the first rent.

No.6. Coatbridge.

January 17th.

1 injured.

Cornish. No details have been obtained.

No.7. York. (Fig. 4.)

January 18th.

1 killed, 2 injured.

Agricultural, 8ft. 2in. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter in the barrel, 5-16ths inch plates, internal fire box, 2ft. 4in. wide, 2ft. 4in. high, and 2ft. 10in. deep. From the back of this fire box, two 12-inch tubes passed to an internal chamber at the back of the barrel. From this again passed nine 3¾ inch tubes to an exterior smoke-box fixed over the fire door. The boiler was fitted with one spring safety valve, which was screwed down tight, but there was no pressure gauge. The front plate was intended to be bolted on so that the fire-box and tubes could be taken out for cleaning, but it had been rivetted, leaving no means of cleaning, and it was nearly full of scurf.

The crown plate of fire-box which was too flat and unstrengthened, rent at the front and along both top edges, and was driven into the fire. The boiler was thrown backwards and reared against a wall, resting on the front right hand corner.

The cause of the explosion was that the very dirty state, caused overheating where the water was not in proper contact with the plates, and the defective construction did not admit of proper cleaning. The mountings were insufficient for the proper protection of the boiler.

No.8. Durham. (Fig. 5.)

January 29th.

1 killed, 3 injured.

Plain Cylinder Boiler with hemispherical ends, 30ft. long and 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. It was the second from the engine in a bed of five, and had been at work three years, then remained idle for eight years, working again fourteen years. The boiler was mounted with two safety valves 3-7/8 and 4 inches diameter, a float and alarm whistle. The boiler had been more than once repaired over the fire with several new plates. One seam over the fire had been observed to leak about a week before the explosion, but not seriously, and had been caulked. The boiler had just been started after cleaning. Six months before explosion, the boiler had been tested to 69 lbs.

About 5 feet of the front end of the boiler opened out flat, and was thrown to the rear about 60 yards; the front hemispherical end was liberated and thrown 20 yards also to the rear and right hand. The back part of the boiler was thrown in a mass, and after bounding twice, lodged at a distance of 230 yards.

The cause of the explosion appeared to be from the failure of a seam over the fire place in a plate deteriorated by age, and overheated through a deposit of scurf and mud.

No.9. Birmingham. (Fig. 6.)

February 7th.

1 killed, 4 injured.

Plain Cylindrical Boiler, with hemispherical ends, 23ft. long, and 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. It was set so as to be fired under the bottom if required, but the grate was seldom used. The principal heat was supplied from a mill furnace, the neck of which was at the left hand of the back, and the flame was carried by a wheel flue round the front of the boiler to the stack on the right hand side of the back. The boiler was fitted with a 4¾-inch safety valve, and also a float, but it was suspected that the latter had broken from the rod.

A horizontal seam about the middle of the left hand side had given way, and the upper portion of the 3rd and 4th rings of plates had spread out like a lid without being detached from the boiler. The front end became detached and was thrown some distance to the front.

The cause of explosion was, that the left side of the boiler became overheated, and so much softened, that it first bulged outwards with the ordinary working pressure, and then rent open. The overheating was most likely the result of shortness of water, but it might possibly have been in consequence of the intense heat of a mill furnace impinging on a small area so near the water line, leading to such rapid ebullition as to prevent sufficient contact of the water to keep the plates cool.

No.10. Dunse.

February 14th.

1 injured.

Locomotive. It exploded while standing in a shed, but no particulars have been obtained.

No.11. Middlesbro'.

February 26th.

1 injured.

Marine, in a small tug boat, but no details have been obtained.

No.12. Gainsbro' (Fig. 7)

February 26th.

1 injured.

One Tube Cornish, 21ft. long, 5ft. diameter, with one tube 2ft. 11in. diameter, plates 3/8 inch, 64 lbs. There were no strengthening rings on the tube. The boiler was second-hand, and had only worked a part of a day at its new position when it exploded.

The tube collapsed from weakness without strengthening rings.

No.13. Redruth. (Fig. 8.)

March 3rd.

1 killed.

One Tube Cornish, 31ft. 9in. long, and 5ft. 9in. diameter, tube 3ft. 8in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs.

The tube had been repaired with a bolted patch on the left side the day before the explosion, and it is presumed it was slightly out of the circular shape, as it collapsed sideways, the top being thrown up above its proper height. There was no evidence of shortness of water.

The tube without strengthening rings was too weak to sustain the ordinary working pressure.

No.14. London.

March 5th.

7 injured.

Cornish, at 27 lbs., but as the boiler was not injured, it is only noticed as an explosion, because of the imprudence of placing fittings in such dangerous positions. The boiler was beneath a work room, and the lever of the safety valve became displaced, allowing the valve to blow out, and the escaping steam rushed into the room above and scalded seven men very badly.

No.15. Manchester.

March 6th.

1 killed.

This was a Boiler with two internal fireplaces, connected into one flue at the back.

The crowns of both furnaces were collapsed, and slightly rent, and the escaping steam and water scalded the attendant.

The water was 8 or 9 inches below its proper level, allowing the furnace crowns to become overheated and unable to bear the working pressure.

Each furnace had been fitted with a fusible plug, but they proved inefficient.

No.16. Norwich. (Fig. 9.)

March 13th.

1 killed, 1 injured.

This was a very small boiler, 8ft. long, and 3ft. 2½in. diameter, with two small tubes. It was fired externally.

The dome was blown off and the rents continuing, the top opened out on each side, and the upper portion of both back and front was bent back.

The dome cut away the whole of the top plate, and so much reduced the strength that it would not bear the ordinary working pressure.

No.17. Dudley. (Fig. 10.)

March 19th.

none injured.

Plain Cylinder Boiler, 36ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 60 lbs. It had frequently been repaired over the fire, so that the longitudinal seams ran for several plates without break of joint. A patch had been put on a few days before explosion, and as the rivet holes had badly fitted, there had been much strain caused by drifting, and the rivets were much distorted.

A longitudinal seam gave way over the fire, when two rings of plates opened out, rending the transverse seams at each side until completely separated, and fell in two parts at a distance of about 100 yards in front of the boiler. The front end was liberated and fell in one piece about 100 yards beyond the two pieces of the shell. The main body of the boiler was driven back a few yards and rolled over so as to be upside down, but was little injured.

The frequent and badly executed repair over the fireplace, had so weakened the structure as to make it unable to bear the very high ordinary pressure. This frequent repair over the fireplace had been made necessary by very hard firing and deposits of scurf from muddy water, preventing the proper contact of the water with the plates.

No.18. Liverpool.

March 22nd.

1 killed.

This was a small Boiler to supply steam for some steam winches on board a steam boat, and exploded from the overheating of the upper tubes through shortness of water, or from over pressure in consequence of having only one safety valve.

No.19. Leeds. (Fig. 11.)

March 27th.

2 killed, 18 injured.

Two Tube Cornish, 24ft. 6in. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, tubes 2ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 54 lbs., fitted with steam gauge, blow-off cock, 1½ inch dead weight safety valve, loaded to 54 lbs., and 4-3/8 inch lever safety valve, loaded to 62 lbs., and had been at work about five years.

Nearly the whole of the two back rings of the shell were torn off and opened out, and the boiler was turned partly round, and moved upon its seat sideways and forwards.

There was extensive corrosion at the under side of the back of shell, where the first rent took place, caused by the leaking of the joints and seams.

No.20. Swansea. (Fig. 12.)

April 4th.

5 killed, 4 injured.

One Tube Cornish Boiler, 30ft. long, and 7ft. diameter, tube slightly oval about 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 43 lbs., fitted with 3½ inch safety valve, which is much too small for such a boiler, glass water gauge, two gauge cocks, and pressure gauge.

The tube collapsed from end to end. The front end was blown out with a short length of the tube attached, and was driven against a wall about 30 yards to the front. The main body of the shell, and the back end, with the collapsed tube within it, were driven back against another wall, about the same distance away. Very great damage was done to the surrounding property.

The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the tube of so large a diameter, without strengthening rings, which made it unable to bear the ordinary working pressure. It is very probable, however, that at the time of the explosion, the pressure was considerably more than usual during the stoppage of the engine, and the confusion caused by a man becoming entangled in the machinery.

No.21. Morpeth.

April 10th.

1 killed.

Plain Cylinder Boiler, 34ft. long, and 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates placed lengthways, 33 lbs.

The explosion took place at a seam in the front part of the bottom of the boiler just over the fire. This rupture allowed the sides to to expand, until the boiler was completely destroyed and torn into seven pieces.

The cause of the explosion was supposed to be the defective state of the seams over the fire, which, being placed longitudinally, were in the weakest position.

No.22. Shiffnal. (Fig. 13.)

April 21st.

none injured.

Two Tube Cornish, 15ft. long, 6ft. diameter, tubes 1ft. 8in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. The heat was supplied by two furnaces, one of which played into each tube.

The left hand tube collapsed from shortness of water, and tore away from the angle iron in the front plate, and allowed the contents to issue violently and scatter the brickwork, but the boiler was not disturbed.

No.23. Burnley.

April 26th.

2 killed, 2 injured.

Small internally fired Boiler, 5ft. high, 2ft. 4in. diameter, and was intended to work at 70 lbs. The fittings were defective, the spiral spring of the safety valve being most easily altered, so as to cause over pressure. The manhole was not strengthened by any ring, and the first rents commenced at that point.

The cause of the explosion was over pressure and defective construction.

The sketch at No. 57 explosion in this year, is of a similar boiler which exploded from nearly similar causes.

No.24. Bilston. (Fig. 14.)

May 13th.

none injured.

Balloon or Haystack Boiler, about 16ft. diameter, 5/16 inch plates, and worked at very little above atmospheric pressure.

The boiler was chiefly used to store water during the time another boiler by the side of it was emptied. When the water was required to refill the other boiler, a fire was lighted under the balloon, and sufficient steam generated to drive the water from it into the other boiler. The safety valve never being used, it had become fast, and as a little more steam than usual had accumulated, the bottom gave way, and the reaction of the issuing contents made the boiler rise from its seat, and it fell on its side at some distance away flattened by the fall.

No.25. Westbromwich. (Fig. 15.)

May 25th.

none injured.

One Tube Cornish Boiler, 15ft. long, and 4ft. 6in. diameter, taper tube, 2ft. 9in. diameter in front, and 2ft. diameter at back, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. The boiler rested on two walls forming the bottom flue. There was a safety valve, a glass water gauge, a pressure gauge, and two fusible plugs upon the tube.

Two longitudinal rents took place on the under side of the shell, allowing two strips, forming the central part, to open out by the continuation of the fracture, until they were blown to a considerable distance. The tube with the front end, and one ring of the shell were thrown to the front, while the back end was thrown to the rear, the smallest end of the tube having torn away from the back.

The shell was deeply corroded where it rested on the side walls of the bottom flue, and the strength of the boiler was thereby so much reduced, that it was unable to bear the ordinary working pressure.

No.26. Halifax. (Fig. 16.)

May 26th.

1 killed.

One Tube Cornish, 24ft. 6in. long, and 5ft. diameter, taper tube, slightly oval in the front, 2ft. 8in. diameter, and 2ft. diameter at the back, 3/8 inch plates. The boiler was fitted with glass water gauge, float, self-acting feed apparatus, and safety valve loaded to 52 lbs., and also a mercury gauge.

The tube collapsed over the fire, a rent taking place in the second ring of plates. The issuing steam and water caused the death of a man in front, but the shell of the boiler was not injured or moved.

The cause of the explosion was shortness of water, and as the glass gauge was set unusually low, the man in charge may have been deceived. The oval shape of the fireplace, and the laminated iron, as shown in the fracture, rendered the tube peculiarly liable to collapse.

No.27. Durham.

May 26th.

1 killed.

Plain Cylinder Boiler, 34ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs., fitted with two 5-inch safety valves, and 2 floats.

The boiler was torn in two pieces, that were thrown to a considerable distance. The first rent had taken place immediately over the fire.

The cause of the explosion was the weakening of the shell by frequent repair over the fire, rendered necessary by the deposit from the muddy water preventing proper contact of the water with the plates.

No.28. Durham.

May 27th.

1 killed.

Plain Cylinder Boiler, 32ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs., fitted with two safety valves, two floats, and two alarm whistles.

The boiler was lifted from its seat, and one end was separated and thrown to a considerable distance.

The cause of the explosion was weakening of the shell from repair a few days before, and perhaps over pressure, as the gauge was found some time after, and indicated that the pressure had at some time exceeded 80 lbs.

No.29. Redruth.

May 28th.

1 killed, 4 injured.

One Tube Cornish, 30ft. 8in. long, 6ft. 8in. diameter, tube, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs.

The tube collapsed, and rent, and the issuing steam and water scalded those near, as it was too weak to bear the ordinary working pressure.

No.30. Leicester. (Fig. 17.)

May 31st.

1 killed, 1 injured.

Plain Cylinder Boiler, with dished ends, and only 4ft. 2in. long, and 2ft. 6in. diameter, ¼ inch plates. It was most inefficiently mounted, the safety valve was only 1-5/8-inch diameter, and of such faulty construction, that it would not open under a pressure of 162 lbs. There was no steam gauge or float, and the gauge cocks were defective. There was no means of putting water in the boiler when there was a pressure of steam. The manhole was very large for so small a boiler.

Four rents started from the manhole and continued along the top of the boiler and round the end seams. A tongue-shaped strip of the top plate was attached to the back end plate; two strips about a foot wide on either side were blown away. The boiler had been turned nearly round in its flight, and fell with the back about 12 feet from the original position of the front.

The boiler was worked until it was nearly dry, and, during a temporary stoppage of the engine, an accumulation of steam caused a greater pressure than the boiler could bear.

No.31. Newcastle.

June 7th.

none injured.

Marine Boiler in a Tug Boat.

The boiler was blown completely out of the vessel, and the greater part of it fell into the water, and a large piece alighted on a crowded quay, but without doing any damage.

The cause of the explosion was supposed to be over-pressure during a temporary stoppage of the engine.

No.32. Barnard Castle. (Fig. 18.)

June 11th.

2 injured.

Agricultural, of about 7 horse power. The barrel of the boiler was 6ft. 1in. long, 2ft. 5in. diameter; the fire-box end was 3ft. wide, and 2ft. 4in. deep; the fire-box was 2ft. 5½in. wide, and 2ft. 7in. high, and 1ft. 9½in. deep, with 23 tubes passing from it through the barrel to the smoke box and chimney. The boiler was fitted with a 2in. safety valve, which was intended to blow at 45 lbs., but as there was no ferrule, it is supposed to have been screwed down to a much greater pressure.

The upper portion of the shell over the fire-box rent through the manhole, and allowed the shell to open out and fall on each side. A large portion of the front plate was also torn off.

The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the manhole, which was not strengthened by any ring, and also excessive pressure from want of proper safety valve.

No.33. Breage.

June 11th.

1 killed.

Cornish Boiler, 36ft. 6in. long, and 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs.

The tube collapsed and rent, and the issuing contents caused the death of the attendant.

The weak tube of such large diameter, was unable to bear the ordinary working pressure, having no strengthening rings.

No.34. Nottingham.

June 19th.

2 killed, 4 injured.

Locomotive, ½ inch plates, 140 lbs.

The explosion occurred at the left hand side of the ring of plates in the barrel next the fire-box, and below the foot-plate. The rent tore along the edge of the lap and into the next ring of plates. The reaction of the issuing contents threw the engine off the rails.

The cause of the explosion was partial corrosion at the point of rupture and strain of the plates, as the boiler itself formed part of the frame of the engine.

No.35. Richmond.

June 26th.

2 injured.

Locomotive, being tried for the first time. The funnel came in contact with a bridge, and the dome was also torn off.

No.36. Gainsbro'.

June 29th.

none injured.

No details have been obtained.

No.37. Durham.

July 2nd.

4 killed.

Plain Cylindrical Boiler, 30ft. long, and 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 28 lbs. It had been repaired a short time before the explosion, with 5 new plates.

The boiler was torn up into several pieces, but the main portion remained flattened out on the seating, while some smaller pieces were sent 250 yards away.

The cause of the explosion was the deterioration of the boiler, and its frequent repair over the fireplace.

No.38. Liverpool.

June 12th.

4 injured.

Elephant Boiler, 20ft. long, and 4ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, and worked at low pressure. The bottom shell had a tube through its whole length.

A rent took place in the lower part of the fireplace, and extended along the bottom, and the reaction of the issuing contents caused the top to rear up.

The cause of the explosion was supposed to be that the bottom plates were worn too thin to bear the ordinary pressure.

No.39. Sheffield.

July 4th.

none injured.

Two Tube Cornish Boiler, externally fired, 30ft. long, and 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs.

The second seam over the fire gave way, and the plate sank down upon the fire.

The cause of the explosion was the deterioration of the seams over the fire, in consequence of the deposit of scurf which could not be properly cleared off owing to the internal tubes.

No.40. Oldham.

July 14th.

none injured.

Boiler, with two internal furnaces, 9ft. 6in. long, and 2ft. 11in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, uniting into one tube beyond. The furnace crown collapsed near the front of the boiler.

There was an extra weight upon the safety valve, and the steam valve was left closed, so that more pressure accumulated than the boiler could bear.

No.41. Oxford.

July 23rd.

3 injured.

Rag Boiler, not used for the generation of steam. It was a plain cylinder, with hemispherical ends, about 16ft. long, and 7ft. diameter. There was a neck at each end upon which the boiler revolved, and through one of these the steam was admitted to a pressure of 30 lbs., in order to assist in cleaning the rags. There was a large manhole for filling and emptying.

The boiler rent in the middle, and each half was blown to some distance.

The manhole was so large, that the strength of the boiler was too much reduced, and the constant strain of revolving caused a central seam to give way at the ordinary pressure.

The sketch to No.63 is of a similar boiler.

No.42. Tunstall. (Fig. 19.)

July 28th.

2 killed, 7 injured.

Boiler, 36ft. 6in. long, and 8ft. 9in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, with flat back and hemispherical front end, 36 lbs. A tube 3ft. 3in. diameter, passed from the back end nearly to the front, and returned to the back end, but of 6 inches less diameter and then passed to an iron chimney. The fire grate was beneath the hemispherical end.

The angle iron of the flat back end gave way, and separated from the shell and with the tubes attached was blown to a good distance, and the reaction drove the shell far in the opposite direction.

The cause of the explosion was the bad construction of the boiler, as the back end was quite unsupported, as there were no stays, and the bend of the tubes was not attached to the shell.

An adjoining boiler which was being cleaned inside by two men, was rolled off its seat by the force of the explosion.

No.43. Widnes.

August 2nd.

2 killed, 6 injured.

Plain Cylindrical Boiler, with flat ends, 23ft. long, 5ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs.

Both the flat ends were blown out, and the first ring of plates at the front end torn off.

The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the flat ends without stays.

No.44. Sunderland.

August 7th.

1 killed, 3 injured.

Locomotive, 13ft. 4in. long, 3ft. 11in. diameter, with 140 2-in. tubes. The fire-box was 4ft. 5in. long, 3ft. 6in. broad, and 5ft. deep, and made of copper, ½ inch thick, 100 lbs. It was fitted with two 4-in. safety valves, and a steam gauge.

The fire-box gave way about the middle of the left side, 2ft. 6in. below the water line, where corroded to 1/8 inch, and the issuing water and steam scalded those near.

No.45. Runcorn. (Fig. 20.)

August 22nd.

3 killed, 5 injured.

Marine Multitubular, 5ft. 8in. long, and 6ft. 6in. diameter, with two internal tubular furnaces, which joined to an internal chamber of large size, and small tubes passed to a smoke box and chimney in the front over the fire doors. Both ends were flat.

The flat back end was insufficiently stayed, and was blown completely out and torn into two pieces, the lower portion remaining in the vessel, and the upper part falling in the water, and the reaction of the issuing contents caused the boiler to be thrown on to the side of the quay.

No.46. Hull. (Fig. 21.)

August 25th.

1 injured.

One Tube Cornish, 24ft. 3in. long, and 6ft. diameter, taper tube 3ft. 5in. diameter, for about 7ft. 6in. in length, and 2ft. 6in. diameter for the rest of the length, 33 lbs.

The tube was much corroded, and the fireplace gave way on left side, and was so much torn, that the plates were forced out of the front.

No.47. Morecombe.

August 27th.

3 killed, 1 injured.

Marine, of the usual construction, and had been tested to 60 lbs.

It gave way at the lower portion of the back, and the issuing steam and water scalded those near.

A seam rent, 6ft. 6in. long, had not been detected by testing.

No.48. Tuddenham.

August 29th.

2 killed, 2 injured.

Agricultural. It burst during a temporary stoppage from accumulation of steam, causing undue pressure.

No.49. Glasgow.

August 31st.

3 killed, 6 injured.

Upright Boiler, 36ft. high, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 45 lbs.

The bottom gave way from shortness of water, and the main bulk of the boiler was thrown straight up into the air to a great height, but descended again on its seating.

No.50. Chatham. (Fig. 22.)

September 7th.

2 killed, 30 injured.

Two Tube Cornish, 22ft. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter, with tubes, 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plate, 60 lbs.

Some rents took place at the under side of the shell, allowing the central portion to open out and blow away. The portion containing the dome was thrown to the left, and the other to the right. The front end, with 3 rings of the shell, with the tubes and back end, were but little moved from their original position. The tubes were dented in on the top and bottom, by the fall of some large coping stones upon them, but the crowns of the furnaces were uninjured, and there was no sign of shortness of water or overheating.

Extensive corrosion on the under side of the shell, where it rested on the brickwork, had so reduced the strength, that it was unable to bear the working pressure.

In the sketch the fragments are drawn so as to show their position when in the boiler.

No.51. Newark.

September 21st.

none injured.

One tube Cornish. The tube collapsed from shortness of water, and the escape of the steam and water blew off the door frame.

No.52. Ashton.

September 23rd.

1 injured.

Plain Cylindrical Boiler, 7ft. long, and 2ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs.

The upper part of the boiler at the first ring of plates was torn off, and the front end was blown out.

Extensive external corrosion, where the plates rested against the brickwork, rendered the boiler too weak to bear the ordinary pressure.

No.53. Norwich. (Fig. 23.)

September 25th.

7 killed.

One Tube Cornish, 20ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, tube 2ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 100 lbs. It was double-rivetted, and the crown of tube was strengthened with angle iron. The shell was formed of six rings, each of two plates alternately jointed top and sides. The third ring from the front had stripped off, and was thrown to the right and forwards against a wall. The line of rent was confined to the plates forming the ring, which was an outer one, and covered the two adjoining rings in the laps, the rent being from the edge of the inner lap to the nearest rivets. The first rent had taken place in the solid iron, about 1 inch from the rivets of a seam on one side, and from this the rent had extended along the seams on either side, and of course the whole ring soon tore off when the equilibrium was destroyed by the first rent.

The fittings of the boiler were sufficient, except that there was only one safety valve, and that was so constructed that it could only open a very little way.

The cause was a defect in the iron at the point of the first rent, and accumulated pressure during the time of standing.

No.54. Macclesfield.

September 25th.

none injured.

Multitubular Boiler, with large internal fireplace, 60 lbs.

The furnace crown became overheated from shortness of water, and was crushed down and torn across two seams. The boiler was lifted from its seat and thrown back against a stone wall.

No.55. Chelmsford.

October 5th.

1 killed, 7 injured.

Agricultural, 45 lbs., and had only just been set to work.

The crown plate to the fire-box was so deeply corroded from long wear that it gave way, and the issuing contents scalded those near.

No.56. Greenwich. (Fig. 24.)

October 8th.

2 killed, 2 injured.

Marine, 16ft. long, slightly oval, front end flat, 8ft. 6in. wide, 7ft. 10in. high, and the dimensions of the back hemispherical end were 2ft. less each way, 3/8 inch plates, 26 lbs. There were two internal fireplaces, of irregular shape, uniting at the back into one flue of similar shape, which did not come to the front, but passed through the steam space, and out at the top of the boiler.

While the vessel was waiting to start, with steam up, the wing furnace of the starboard boiler collapsed on the wing side, as shown by the dotted lines, and allowed the steam and water to escape into the stoke hole.

The side of the furnace next the shell was rent along the edge of a longitudinal seam in a line, which was slightly nicked in the caulking. This rent extended about 5ft. 6in. from the front, and then at a cross seam it went along the line of rivets from the crown to the bottom of the furnace. Beyond this cross seam the furnace was collapsed, until it nearly touched the other side of the furnace, and the bulge died away towards the back end. There was also a rent in the lower part of the front of the shell, as shown in dotted line.

The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the shape of the flue, which was not stayed to the shell. It had evidently gradually been giving way some time before the explosion, and eventually collapsed at nearly the ordinary pressure. Symptoms of the same alteration of shape were noticed in the corresponding flue of the other boiler.

No.57. Liverpool. (Fig. 25.)

October 9th.

7 killed, 1 injured.

Crane Boiler, 5ft. 6in. high, and 2ft. 6in. diameter, with internal conical fire-box, with two cross tubes and a chimney at the top, ¼ inch plates, 75 lbs.

The outer shell of the boiler was rent into many pieces, leaving the central conical fireplace intact. The nature of the rents showed that the plate round the manhole, which was unstrengthened by a ring, had first given way, and all the other fractures had led away from that point. This is confirmed by the fact, that the manlid was thrown a good distance, with force enough to make its way through the timber walls of a cabin. The front plate divided into many pieces, and scattered right and left, while the back plate was thrown through a cabin in the opposite direction to the manhole.

The central flue showed a slight indication of overheating, but the construction was such that the upper portion passed through the steam space, and was always exposed to the action of the fire, without the protection of the contact of water. The manhole without a ring on its edge to strengthen the plate, and held in by two clamps, which caused additional strain when carelessly screwed up, was by far the weakest place. The engine was standing after a short time of working, and as the safety valve was very defective, and could be screwed down until tight, against almost any pressure, it is most probable that the pressure mounted much higher than usual, when the weakest part gave way, and led to the sudden tearing up and scattering of the whole fabric.

Faulty construction of both boiler and fittings, rendered it unable to bear that accumulated pressure, which the safety valve ought to have made impossible.

No.58. Durham.

October 13th.

1 killed.

One Tube Cornish, 14ft. long, 6ft. diameter, internal flue 3ft. 3in., by 2ft. 10in., 3/8 inch plates, 27 lbs., standing on three saddles, with a bearing surface of 3ft. by 4 inches.

A portion of plate 20in. by 18in., at the bottom of the boiler, was so corroded that it was blown out, and the issuing contents scalded a man to death.

No.59. Bristol. (Fig. 26.)

November 1st.

7 killed.

Two Marine Boilers exploded simultaneously. They were 16ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter at the flat front ends, and somewhat less at the hemispherical back ends. Each had two internal fireplaces, united in one flue, which returned nearly to the front and passed up through the steam space, and out at the top of shell into the funnel. The central fireplaces were not circular, and the outside fireplaces and the return flues were still more distorted, but the weakness of the shape was somewhat compensated for by stays between the tubes, and from the tubes to the shell. The mountings to the boiler were of the ordinary kind and efficient.

The under sides of the shells were so deeply corroded that they were rent longitudinally for their whole length, allowing the sides to open out and tear away from the front ends. Each shell fell at a considerable distance. The furnaces, with parts of the front ends attached, fell into the water, but except one of the side flues that was a little collapsed, they were uninjured. Small pieces of the front ends were thrown to a great distance. The sides of the vessel were so completely blown out that she sank.

The corrosion was no doubt caused by the leakage of the vessel, keeping the shells of the boilers constantly wet.

No.60. London. (Fig. 27.)

November 3rd.

none injured.

Agricultural, barrel was 3ft. 9in. long, and 2ft. 6in. diameter, 70 lbs. From the internal fire-box the heat passed through a number of 1-inch tubes to the front smoke box and chimney.

During a stoppage for breakfast, the fire-box end was torn from the barrel, and from the position of those fragments that could be found, the boiler appeared to have turned over. Part of the fire-box was sent through the stage upon which the boiler was travelling, and the barrel with the tubes remaining in it, first struck a rail which caused it to be dented in, and then rebounded to a point about 100 yards from its original position.

Enough of the fragments were not recovered from the river to trace the cause of the explosion, but it is presumed that, although when the boiler was left, only 20 lbs. pressure was shown by the gauge; the fire door being left closed, the pressure must have risen to a point much above the working pressure, and to more than the boiler could bear.

No.61. Bilston. (Fig. 28.)

October 1st.

none injured.

One Tube Cornish, 22ft. long, 6ft. diameter, tube 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 12 lbs. There was an unusually large dome at the back end, 5ft. diameter, and the whole of the shell was cut out from under it, so that the construction was peculiarly weak.

The boiler had been off for cleaning, and steam was being got up in the night, and it was said that an extra pressure was caused by the stop valve being left closed, but it could not have been very great, or the large tube would have collapsed.

The dome was split in two, in the line marked in the sketch, owing to the extreme weakness of the shell at the juncture of the dome, and the shell was a little ruptured on each side of it, and so large a rent was suddenly made, that the contents of the boiler passed harmlessly into the air, without moving the boiler on its seat.

No.62. Preston. (Fig. 29.)

November 11th.

1 killed, 1 injured.

One Tube Cornish, 16ft. 3in. long, and 5ft. 8in. diameter, tube 3ft. 1in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 60 lbs.

The tube collapsed from end to end, from over-pressure, as the man in charge had fastened 3 bricks to the lever of the safety valve causing 27 lbs. extra pressure, under the impression that he could thus accumulate a quantity of steam during the night, to be available on commencing work on the morrow.

No.63. Tamworth. (Fig. 30.)

November 20th.

none injured.

Revolving Steam Chamber, 12ft. 6in. long, and 5ft. diameter, 12 lbs.

The manhole was large, to facilitate filling and emptying, and was rectangular and unstrengthened on the edges, and measured 3ft. 6in. in length, and 1ft. 6in. in width, and the lid fitted on the inside and was held by clamps.

The boiler was much out of repair, and a crack shown in sketch, from one corner of the manhole to the commencement of the hemispherical end was only temporarily prevented from leaking by a screw-patch, which did not restore the strength.

The explosion happened when in revolving, the manlid was downwards, and the lid was driven nearly through the floor, and the shell was rent from opposite corners of the manhole, and blown through the roof.

The large manhole cut away nearly all the strength on one side, and the fastenings of the lid were not contrived to compensate at all for the loss of strength. The constant strain when revolving, also tended to weaken it. These two causes together were sufficient to account for the explosion, at the usual working pressure of 12 lbs., although it is possible that it might have been increased to 35 lbs., as that was the pressure in the boiler supplying the steam, although the pressure was regulated by a check valve.

This explosion (and also No. 41 in this year) clearly show that a mere vessel of steam not exposed to the fire, or any chance of overheating of the plates, can burst and cause very great destruction, although there could be no sudden increase of pressure which is so often supposed necessary to account for the havoc caused by explosions.

No.64. Manchester.

November 26th.

none injured.

This Boiler was 28ft. long, 7ft. diameter, made of 7/16 inch plates, and worked at 50 lbs. pressure, with two internal fireplaces united into one tube beyond.

The sides of the oval chamber forming the junction of furnaces and tube, crushed inwards, being of such a weak shape as to be unable to resist the ordinary working pressure.

No.65. Hull. (Fig. 31.)

December 1st.

3 killed, 2 injured.

Agricultural, 7ft. 6in. long, and 3ft. 8in. diameter, ¼ inch plates, 35 lbs., fire-box 2ft. long, and 2ft. 10in. broad. Two 11½-inch tubes led to an internal chamber at the other end of the boiler, and three 8¼-inch tubes led back again to an external smoke box and chimney fixed over the fire door.

The bottom of the right hand side lower tube was forced upwards, and rent along to within 12 inches of the fire-box.

The tubes were so corroded from leakage of patches, that they were unable to bear the slight increase of pressure during a short stoppage.

No.66. Glasgow.

December 4th.

2 killed, 6 injured.

Two Tube Cornish, 22ft. long, and 7ft. 6in. diameter, tubes 3ft. diameter, and strengthened with rings in the approved manner.

The second from the back of the seven rings, was ruptured at the bottom and torn off by a rent through the line of rivets on each side, and the boiler was thrown from its seat, and turned completely over, so as to lie in a contrary direction to what it was before.

Extensive corrosion, from leaking of the seams beneath the brickwork, where hidden from view, was the cause of explosion.

No.67. Willenhall.

December 7th.

none injured.

Plain Cylinder, with hemispherical ends, 9ft. long, 3ft. 3in. diameter, 20 lbs.

The boiler was rent all along one side, and the reaction of the issuing contents caused it to be thrown some yards away, and one of the ends became altogether detached, and flew to a considerable distance.

The plates were so thinned by corrosion, that they gave way on a very slight increase of pressure during a temporary stoppage of the engine.

No.68. Glasgow.

December 12th.

1 killed, 1 injured.

This Boiler was 14ft. long, with hemispherical ends, and 7ft. diameter, 30 lbs.

The cause of the explosion was over-pressure and thinness of plates, wasted by corrosion.

No.69. Manchester. (Fig. 32.)

December 15th.

5 injured.

Two Tube Cornish, 24ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, tubes 2ft. 8in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. The boiler was fired in each of the tubes in the ordinary way, and also the heat from two furnaces passed from the back, one on each side of the outside shell.

Both the internal furnaces collapsed, until the crowns almost touched the fire bars, as shown in dotted lines, but without fracture. The back of the shell, on the right side, had evidently been overheated, and had rent along the centre of a bulge, and this rent had extended along the line of rivets of the transverse seam on each side, allowing two rings of the plates of the shell to open out flat as shown. There was a bulge on the plate, on the right side of shell, corresponding with the one which parted on the opposite side.

The cause of the explosion was overheating of the plates from shortness of water.

No.70. Aberdeen.

December 24th.

1 injured.

No particulars have been obtained.