  No.1. Chesterfield. (Fig. 1.) January 14th. 4 killed, 2 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 1. One of two. One tube Cornish, 26ft. 6in. long, 6ft. diameter, tube 3ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The gauge glass was broken and the float was either out of order or unobserved, as the water was allowed to get 9 inches below the usual level, so that the crown of the furnace became overheated and collapsed, and rent open where a patch had been put on some little time before. No.2. Manchester. (Fig. 2.) January 22nd. none injured. locomotive Fig. 2. Locomotive. The barrel was 10ft. 6in. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 130 lbs. pressure. The engine was 14 years old, No.3. Greatbridge. (Fig. 3.) January 26th. 1 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 3. One of two. Plain Cylinder, with flat ends, 22ft. long, 4ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. There had formerly been a tube with internal furnace, and this had been removed without sufficient stays to compensate for the loss of strength. The plates were arranged in the weakest way with seams in one line from end to end, and the strength of the boiler had been further reduced by very frequent patching. Fracture commenced about the centre of the long seam under the dome, which had gradually ripped from rivet to rivet, until unable to bear the ordinary pressure. The boiler exploded because it was completely worn out, and shows how treacherous and uncertain a boiler becomes by constant patching and alteration. See also No. 45. No.4. Rotherham. (Fig. 4.) January 27th. 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 4. One of five. Plain cylinder, with dished ends, 36ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. It had worked about 8 years, and was much patched over the fire end, and had lately been put into what was supposed to be thorough repair. As there was no need of an inquest the wreck was quickly cleared and The first rent must have taken place in the bottom seams over the fire, where weakened by frequent repair. No.5. Durham. (Fig. 5.) February 2nd. 1 killed, 4 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 5. One of twelve. Plain cylinder, 13 years old, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The plates were arranged lengthways, so that the seams were in continuous lines from end to end. This has often been mentioned as giving far less strength than where the plates are placed in rings. There had been considerable repair at various times, and just previous to explosion the boiler had been placed as was supposed in thorough repair, and some new No.6. South Wales. February 12th. 2 injured. This was a colliery boiler. Very few particulars were obtained. The roof of the engine house was blown off, the boiler was torn from its fittings and turned right round, and knocked down three walls and fell in an upright position. No.7. Cornwall. (Fig. 6.) February 15th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 6. One of four. One tube Cornish, 37ft. 6in. long, 7ft. diameter. Tube 4ft. 4in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed for the whole length beyond the bridge, and the back end of boiler was blown out. The portion of tube over the fire was left intact, and the fusible plug was uninjured. The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the tube of such large diameter and so great length. See No. 57. No.8. Yarmouth. (Fig. 7.) February 23rd. 3 injured. marine boiler Fig. 7. Marine, 17ft. long, and 15ft. high, 3/8 inch plates, 15 lbs. pressure. The top was blown off, the plates having been extensively corroded. No.9. Drogheda. March 3rd. 2 injured. The roof of a shed was blown off, but no particulars have been obtained. No.10. West Bromwich. (Fig. 8.) March 9th. 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 8. One of two. Plain cylinder, 25ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 42 lbs. pressure. The boiler had been very frequently repaired, and a seam gave way where a large patch had just previously been put on over the fire, in doing which the rivet holes of the old work had evidently been cracked, rendering the boiler unable to bear the usual working pressure. See No. 45. No.11. Cornwall. March 18th. none injured. One tube Cornish. The tube collapsed from want of water. No.12. Broseley. (Fig. 9.) April 1st. 1 killed, 4 injured. multitubular agricultural boiler Fig. 9. Multitubular, 9 years old, 8ft. 6in. long, barrel 6ft. long, and 2ft. 4in. diameter, 5/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The cylinder was attached to right side of the top of the boiler over the fire box, and on the other side there was a very large manhole, the edges of which were corroded, and so strained and cracked by the screwing up of the manlid, as to be unable to bear the working pressure. The rent started in all directions from the manhole allowing the boiler to split up into three pieces. See No. 18 and No. 36. No.13. Cornwall. April 11th. none injured. One tube Cornish—but no particulars. No.14. Barking. (Fig. 10.) April 19th. 4 killed, 2 injured. portable crane boiler Fig. 10. Portable Crane, 8 years old, 8ft. 3in. high, 4ft. 4in. diameter, with internal fire box, 6ft. high and 3ft. 6in. diameter, and chimney passing out at the top, 5/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The internal fire box crushed in sideways, and the shell was rent into several pieces. The attachment of the fire box to the shell was made by bending the plates, as shown in enlarged sketch, and this is not so rigid as double angle iron and had evidently strained the chimney tube. This weakness had been so increased by deep corrosion just at the bend of the plates that it had given way. The havoc and loss of life was far greater than would have been supposed possible from so small a boiler, but similar cases are mentioned in No. 43, 1868, and No. 57, 1866. No.15. Durham. (Fig. 11.) April 23rd. none injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 11. One of two. Plain cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 9 lbs. pressure. A seam gave way on the right side over the fire and immediately rent along the straight seam from end to end, and the boiler was thrown in one mass a great distance to the left. The boiler was very old and much weakened by frequent repair, and at the time of explosion was being imprudently worked at twice its usual pressure for a temporary purpose. See No. 59. No.16. Bury. (Fig. 12.) April 29th. none injured. double furnace internally fired boiler Fig. 12. Double Furnace, internally fired, 28ft. long, 7ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. Furnace tubes 7ft. long, 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates. The crown of the left hand furnace collapsed and the right hand furnace was slightly altered in shape, as if from overheating by shortness of water, although the true cause was supposed to be the thickening of the water by use of anti-incrustation composition, preventing proper contact of the water with the plates. No.17. Liverpool. (Fig. 13.) May 12th. 1 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 13. Plain cylinder, 10ft. long, 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The ends were flat made of plates, with turned edges, and there was such extensive corrosion on the inside of the bend that the back end came out and was blown 30 yards to the right and rear, the rest of the boiler being thrown to the front. The front plate had been repaired with angle iron where similarly corroded, and the shell was also much patched. The fractured edges were not 1/16 inch thick, so that the boiler was not fit to carry any pressure with safety. No.18. Abingdon. (Fig. 14.) May 13th. 2 killed, 2 injured. Revolving Rag boiler, 16ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 in. plates. There was no fire applied to the boiler itself, but it received steam through one end from other ordinary boilers at 50 lbs. pressure. There were two large rectangular manholes for putting in and taking out the rags, with cast iron frames and lids, attached by bolts with large nuts or clamps. The explosion appeared to have taken place when, in revolving, the manlids were approaching the bottom, and the first part to give way was at one of the manholes where the frame was previously broken. The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the manholes, which were very large, and both in the same line, and the attachment of the lids was insecure, as the bolts did not go through the lids, or in any way help to compensate for the large portion of the plate cut away. The boiler was only supported at each end, and had to act as a hollow girder to bear not only its own weight but the repeated shocks of the heavy material inside falling over and over in addition to the pressure. See No. 41 and No. 63, 1866. No.19. Glasgow. May 19th. 1 killed, 1 injured. Two tube Cornish. One of the tubes collapsed for a length of 8 feet having become overheated through shortness of water. No.20. Durham. (Fig. 15.) May 29th. 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 15. One of ten, 16 years old, Plain Cylinder with plates arranged lengthways, 34ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. No.21. South Wales. (Fig. 16.) May 31st. 5 killed, 4 injured. very old plain cylinder boiler Fig. 16. One of three, very old, plain Cylinder, with flat ends, 34ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. There had formerly been a tube through the boiler, and when this was taken away new flat ends had been put in without sufficient stays to compensate for the loss of the tube. The front end was blown out, and the reaction sent the boiler upwards and broke it into three pieces. See No. 47. No.22. Bingley. (Fig. 17.) June 9th. 15 killed, 33 injured. two tube Cornish boiler Fig. 17. Two tube Cornish, 16ft. long, 6ft. 9in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. Tubes 2ft. 6in. diameter. The bottom was so much corroded that it rent open, and the boiler was torn to pieces which were scattered to wide distances. The boiler had been much neglected and badly used, and the safety valve was insufficient, of bad construction, and overloaded, and the alarm whistle was gagged. No.23. Cornwall. June 14th. 1 injured. Cornish, but no particulars have been obtained. No.24. Durham. (Fig. 18.) June 16th. 3 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 18. One of three. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, A seam gave way over the fire where there had been frequent repair, and the boiler was rent into two pieces, which were thrown to some distance. See No. 59. No.25. Airdrie. June 23rd. 2 killed, 3 injured. Two tube Cornish, 35ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 2in. diameter over fire, and 2ft. diameter beyond, 50 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed over the fire, having been very much weakened by frequent repair. No.26. Nuneaton. (Fig. 19.) July 5th. 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 19. Plain Cylinder, 25ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The plates along the line of rupture were corroded to 1/16 inch, and in some places much less, so that the boiler was quite unfit for the ordinary working pressure. No.27. Birmingham. (Fig. 20.) July 6th. 1 injured. small plain cylinder boiler Fig. 20. Small Plain Cylinder, 5ft. long, 2ft. 2in. diameter, ¼ inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. Both sides of the boiler were corroded nearly through so that the strength was entirely gone, and it rent in two at the ordinary pressure. No.28. Wishaw. July 9th. 2 killed, 2 injured. One of six. Breeches Tube. The tube or combustion chamber collapsed, having become overheated through shortness of water. No.29. Kidderminster. (Fig. 21.) July 16th. 1 killed, 4 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 21. Plain Cylinder, 21ft. long, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The boiler was very old and very much corroded. It had slightly rent open at some former time, and a most wretchedly made patch, shown in enlarged sketch, had been put on to stop leaking, made of thin sheets of iron inside and out and pasteboard between, held together by 36 slight bolts. Of course this patch did not restore the strength of the boiler, and it soon leaked badly, and No.30. Leeds. July 19th. 4 injured. One of three, 12 years old. Two tube Cornish, 32ft. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The right hand tube collapsed from end to end sideways, and ruptured in the furnace, and part of the tube was blown out. The cause of the explosion was simply the weakness of the tube without strengthening rings. No.31. South Wales. (Fig. 22.) July 19th. 1 killed. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 22. One of two. Plain Cylinder, 32ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. It gave way where deeply corroded on the inside. No.32. Burslem. (Fig. 23.) July 22nd. 1 killed, 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 23. One of six. Plain Cylinder, 36ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. Although the boiler was not an old one, it had been much repaired at the seams with strap plates. It was said that the water was very bad, and deposited much mud, which allowed the seams to get overheated and injured. The seam which No.33. Preston. August 4th. 1 killed. Locomotive. In shunting the engine was dragged under a bridge that was not intended for locomotives to pass, and the dome was knocked off. No.34. London. (Fig. 24.) August 11th. 3 killed. marine boiler Fig. 24. Marine, 8ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The flat front end gave way at the angle iron all round, allowing the front with tubes attached, and the shell to be thrown in opposite directions. The front being flat was very weak, and depended for its strength on gusset stays and small bolts connecting the back of the combustion chamber and the round end of the shell. These stays were No.35. Cornwall. (Fig. 25.) August 16th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 25. One tube Cornish, 32ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 to 50 lbs. pressure. There was no steam gauge. The tube collapsed from end to end, both ends being torn, but the boiler was not moved from its seat. The fusible plug was uninjured. The cause of the explosion was the weakness of the large tube. See No. 57. No.36. Leicester. (Fig. 26.) September 1st. 1 injured. upright boiler Fig. 26. Upright, 5ft. 6in. high, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The top of the boiler was blown out. The rent commenced in the manhole, which was unguarded by a ring, and cracks two inches long had existed before explosion. See No. 12 and No. 18. No.37. Preston. (Fig. 27.) September 3rd. 1 killed, 1 injured. two tube Cornish boiler Fig. 27. One of two. Two tube Cornish, 30ft. long, 7ft. 2in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 8in. in furnaces, and 2ft. 4in. beyond, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The left furnace crown collapsed and ruptured, and the right furnace crown was slightly altered in shape. The two boilers were connected by one feed pipe without back valves, so that the water from this boiler was forced into the other and allowed the tubes to be overheated. No.38. Liverpool. (Fig. 28.) September 8th. 1 killed, 1 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 28. One tube Cornish, 22ft. 6in. long, 6ft. diameter, 3ft. tube, 7/16 inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed over the fire. It was so much thinned by corrosion, and so many of the rivet heads were eaten off, that there was not strength left to bear the ordinary pressure. No.39. Boxmoor. (Fig. 29.) September 10th. 1 killed, 4 injured. one tube Cornish Fig. 29. One of three. One tube Cornish, 27ft. 3in. long, 5ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 10in. over furnace, and 2ft. 8in. beyond, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. One ring of plates was blown out of the back end of shell. There was such extensive external corrosion on the seating at the bottom that the boiler was unable to bear the working pressure. No.40. Hull. (Fig. 30.) September 16th. 1 killed, 1 injured. breeches tube boiler Fig. 30. Breeches Tube, 13 years old, 30ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Furnace tube 2ft. 10in. diameter. Main tube 3ft. 5½in. diameter, and originally made to work at 20 lbs. pressure, but working lately at 45 lbs. The main tube collapsed. The boiler was not adapted for the pressure at which it was worked, and the tube was much weakened by the overheating caused by a thick incrustation of scale, and was not strengthened by any rings or stays, and was of very weak construction as the plates were arranged lengthways. No.41. South Wales. (Fig. 31.) September 26th. 1 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 31. One of two, 20 years old. Plain Cylinder, 36ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 9/16 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The plates and rivet heads were very much reduced in thickness by internal corrosion, and in many places were only 1/8 inch or less. No.42. Warrington. October 6th. 2 killed, 6 injured. One of seventeen. Two tube Cornish, 22ft. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The left hand tube collapsed. The blow-off cock was left open until the water was so low as to allow the tube to be overheated. No.43. Rowley. (Fig. 32.) October 13th. none injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 32. Plain Cylinder, with flat ends, 15ft. long, 3ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The back end ripped all round the angle iron, and was blown out, and the rest of the boiler was thrown forward a considerable distance. There had once been an internal tube, and when this was taken out the flat end had no stay, and was unfit to bear the usual pressure. See No. 47. No.44. Newcastle. (Fig. 33.) October 14th. 2 killed, 5 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 33. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 29ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. Although only 3 years old the boiler had always given trouble, and had been very frequently repaired. Some new plates had just been put in the bottom, and as the primary rent was in the old plates adjoining them, it is most likely they had caused seam rips in the old metal. The frequent repair had reduced the strength until unequal to bear the ordinary pressure. See No. 59. No.45. Greatbridge. (Fig. 34.) October 18th. 2 killed, 2 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 34. One of eight, 15 years old. Plain Cylinder, 40ft. long, 6ft. The treacherousness and uncertainty of boilers with one patch over another has often been pointed out, as in No. 3, No. 4, No. 10, and No. 32. No.46. Acorington. (Fig. 35.) October 19th. 2 killed, 3 injured. one tube Cornish Fig. 35. One tube Cornish, 14ft. 6in. long, 5ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure usually, and sometimes 60 lbs. One ring of plates was blown out of shell. The boiler was so very badly corroded at the bottom, that the edges of the rent were quite sharp like a knife, and the boiler was therefore unable to bear the usual working pressure. The flues were too narrow to enter for proper inspection, and the bearing surfaces were too wide and retained moisture against the plates. No.47. Lydney. (Fig. 36.) October 28th. 1 killed. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 36. One of four. Plain Cylinder with round front and flat back end, 36ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 20 lbs. pressure. The flat end was blown out, the rent extending all round the angle iron. There had originally been a breeches tube in the boiler with a strong stay to the front end, but when this was taken out no stays were put to the flat end to compensate for the loss of their support. The angle iron attaching the flat end was made in four pieces instead of being welded, and it was reduced to 3/16 inch thick by external corrosion, so that it was not strong enough to bear the ordinary working pressure. The extreme imprudence of altering boilers without due care to preserve their strength has been often pointed out. See No. 21 and No. 43. No.48. Newcastle. (Fig. 37.) October 29th. none injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 37. One of six. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 40ft. long, 5ft. 3in. diameter, 40 lbs. pressure. The boiler gave way at the fire end, and divided in two, and both pieces were blown to a great distance. The boiler was old and had been much repaired, and the seams running from end to end made it very weak, but the immediate cause of the rupture was supposed to be shortness of water and consequent overheating of the plates. See No. 59. No.49. Stockport. (Fig. 38.) October 30th. 1 killed. two tube Cornish boiler Fig. 38. One of eight. Two tube Cornish, 30ft. long, 7ft. 4in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 11in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The crown of the right hand tube became overheated from shortness of water, and bulged down and rent half round at the second seam of rivets. No.50. Durham. (Fig. 3 November 2nd. 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 39. One of four. Plain Cylinder, with the plates arranged lengthways, 38ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. A seam over the fire slightly to the right side gave way where there had been frequent repair to stop leaking. At the part which gave way there had formerly been a side fire, which had perhaps damaged the seams. This boiler was known to have been in bad condition and needing repairs. See No. 59. No.51. Sheerness. (Fig. November 3rd. 11 killed, 7 injured. marine boiler Fig. 40. One of three. Marine, 15ft. 6in. long, 6ft. diameter. Furnace Tube 2ft. 4in. diameter, 5/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The left hand tube collapsed and ruptured, and the contents issued at the front and scalded all near. The right hand tube was also slightly out of shape on the top. The cause of the collapse was, that the water had been allowed to get below the crowns of the furnaces. There was no means of ascertaining how the shortness of water occurred, as all were killed who had the opportunity of knowing. No.52. Cornwall. (Fig. 4 November 25th. 1 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 41. One of five, 30 years old. One tube Cornish, 36ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 10in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The shell was rent into several large pieces and thrown to some distance. The tube was also thrown out and broken, chiefly by its fall and striking against walls. The boiler was corroded very badly on the seating, which must have been known, as there were numerous small screw patches to prevent leaking at the corroded places. The shell was in such bad condition, that it was quite unfit to bear the ordinary working pressure. See No. 58. No.53. Bilston. (Fig. 42.) December 3rd. 8 killed, 1 injured. four furnace upright boiler Fig. 42 One of three. Four Furnace Upright, 20ft. high, 10ft. diameter. Centre tube 10ft. high, 4ft. 6in. diameter, side tubes 2ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The central tube collapsed, and the bottom part was blown out, Although it had only worked a short time at this place, it was very old, and the central tube was corroded until only 1/8 inch thick in many places, and many of the rivet heads were quite eaten away. It was altogether so worn out that it was quite unfit to work at any pressure. No.54. Cornwall. (Fig. 43.) December 6th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 43. One tube Cornish, 32ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 to 50 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed from end to end, and the front portion was blown out with the front end, and the back end was left attached to the shell, and but little moved from its seat. The cause was doubtless the weakness of such a large tube. This is the third explosion at this engine. One of the previous explosions is described at No. 35. No.55. Stonehaven. December 9th. 2 injured. Locomotive, but no particulars have been obtained. No.56. Cornwall. (Fig. 44.) December 10th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 44. One tube Cornish, 26ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. 10in. No.57. Cornwall. (Fig. 45.) December 11th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 45. One tube Cornish, 32ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 4ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. It was an old boiler, and some of the plates of the tube were thinned by corrosion, but it had only just been put to work at this place, and burst the first day of working. The tube collapsed beyond the bridge, and the back part with the back end plate was blown out to a great distance. The front end was also ruptured, and the whole boiler was sent forwards. The tube over the fire had not collapsed. The cause of explosion was the weakness of such a large tube without strengthening rings. Many similar boilers have exploded in the same way from the same cause, as described in No. 28, No. 30, No. 35, No. 40, No. 54, and No. 56. No.58. Cornwall. (Fig. 46.) December 14th. 2 killed. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 46. One tube Cornish, 26ft. 8in. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 10in. The shell was rent into several pieces, which were scattered to wide distances. The tube was also thrown to a great distance, but was uninjured. The boiler was 36 years old. The shell was very badly corroded, and temporarily repaired with screw patches to stop leaking, so that the boiler was unfit to bear the usual pressure. See No. 52. No.59. Durham. (Fig. 47.) December 29th. 2 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 47. One of three. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 47ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. It gave The following, not being steam boilers, are not included in the list, but the details may be useful. Oldbury. March 10th. 4 killed. tar still Tar still, 10ft. high, 7ft. diameter, with round top and domed bottom, 3/8 inch plates, and not intended to work at any pressure. The vapour passing away became congealed, and stopped up the small exit pipe, and pressure accumulated sufficiently to burst the weak shaped vessel. The bottom came completely out and was left upon the fire, while the top ascended to a great height and fell a long distance away. The loss of life was owing to the material igniting and suffocating those who were thrown down by the explosion. Greatbridge. December 29th. 2 killed. tar still Tar still, 12ft. high, 12ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, and not used at any pressure usually. The upper part separated from the bottom, rending in the angle iron all round. The angle iron near the outlet pipe was corroded nearly away, as shown in enlarged sketch, and the rivet heads were eaten completely off. It was supposed that the intense frost, during a long stoppage for holidays, had caused the worm to be stopped up and pressure to accumulate, as in the one previously described. But it is perhaps more probable that the vessel gave way because it was corroded so thin in so important a part as the angle iron. The explosion was very slight, the damage and loss of life being from the fierce fire which immediately succeeded it. Darlington. August 26th. 2 injured. Domestic. Rectangular, and made of wrought iron. The front blew out. It was said that all the communication pipes were shut, and therefore steam accumulated until the weakest part gave way. Manchester. December 29th. 1 killed, 1 injured. cast iron domestic boiler The sketch is to a much larger scale than the others. Domestic, 14in. wide, 11in. high, and about 10in. deep, made of cast iron ¼ inch thick. It had close top and two circulating pipes to warm a bath about 10ft. above it. The supply cistern was about 17ft. above the boiler. The front was blown out into the kitchen. It was said that the pipes were frozen, and that steam pressure had thus accumulated. The boiler was of a treacherous material and weak shape, and unfit to bear safely the 7 lbs. pressure the column of water from the cistern would give. The fire also acted on the sides of the boiler without any intervening brickwork. If a closed top boiler is used, there should be a dead weight safety valve to prevent pressure. A far safer plan is to have the kitchen boiler with open top and the circulating heater within it, so that it can never get overheated, as it only obtains its heat from the water in the open boiler. R. Broomhall, Printer, Stourbridge. |
|
