  No.1. Newcastle. (Fig. 1.) January 7th. 3 killed, 1 injured. Cornish boiler Fig. 1. One of five. Cornish, 13 years old, 30ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 3ft. 3in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed sideways from weakness, and the front part and the front plate were blown out, carrying the attendants into a deep and swollen river which ran close in front of boilers. No.2. South Wales. (Fig. 2.) January 15th. 1 killed, 4 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 2. Plain cylinder, very old, 32ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Externally corroded to 1/16 inch, and gave way near a seam, the front being thrown forward into a house, and the No.3. Worksop. (Fig. 3.) January 28th. 2 killed. Domestic, 2ft. wide, 1ft. 10in. high, and 7in. deep, 3/8 inch plates, with badly welded joints. The circulating pipes to cistern, 15ft. above, were frozen, and steam pressure accumulated and blew out the front. No.4. Ipswich. (Fig. 4.) February 4th. 1 killed. Cornish boiler Fig. 4. One of three. Cornish, 7 years old, 24ft. long, 5ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 65 lbs. pressure. The boiler was good and well fitted, but an accumulation of salt on tube caused overheating and rupture of 3rd seam. No.5. Sheffield. (Fig. 5.) February 8th. 2 killed, 6 injured. rag boiler Fig. 5. One of three. Rag Boiler, 2 years old, 11ft. diameter, 9½ft. deep, 7/16 inch plates. Steam was supplied from the engine exhaust, and was usually about 10 lbs. pressure, but as the boilers from which the steam was originally supplied worked at 60 lbs., it is possible this was sometimes exceeded. The vessel was of very weak shape for even 10 lbs. pressure. No.6. Derby. (Fig. 6.) February 14th. 1 killed, 2 injured. cast iron domestic boiler Fig. 6. Domestic, 1ft. high, 1ft. wide, 8in. across top, and 12in. across bottom, made of cast-iron, 7/16 inch thick. The fire had been let out sometime, and the circulating pipes to cistern 16ft. above were frozen, and on lighting fire steam was formed for which there was no escape, and the boiler was shattered. No.7. Sheffield. (Fig. 7.) February 14th. 2 killed, 1 injured. wrought iron domestic boiler Fig. 7. Domestic, used for warming rooms above, 2ft. 6in. wide, 2ft. high, 9in. across top, and 13in. across bottom, 3/8 inch plates. The circulating pipes to cistern, 12ft. above, were frozen, and steam was formed for which there was no vent, and boiler was rent open. The joints were so badly welded that they soon gave way, and little damage was done to property. No.8. Walsall. (Fig. 8.) February 19th. none injured. plain cylinder boilers Fig. 8. One of two. Plain cylinder, 12 years old, 30ft. long, 7ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The seams and plates No.9. Birmingham. (Fig. 9.) February 25th. none injured. Cornish boiler Fig. 9. Cornish, 5 years old, 32ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 4in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Cracked along the bottom of front end where internally "furrowed." The boiler was not disturbed, but as the water escaped into an iron furnace the bricks were scattered, but little damage done. The boiler was intended for two tubes, and therefore there was a large part supported only by stays, allowing of a slight movement with varying pressure which facilitates the corrosion in certain lines of strain called "furrowing." In this case they were so close to the angle iron and filled with scale that they were difficult to detect. No.10. Cornwall. (Fig. 10.) March 17th. 5 injured. upright boiler Fig. 10. Upright Boiler, 2 ft. high, 1ft. 9in. diameter, ¼ inch plates. It No.11. Sheffield. (Fig. 11.) March 27th. 1 injured. agricultural or contractor's engine Fig. 11. Agricultural or Contractor's Engine, 9ft. 2in. long, 2ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The heads of stays on each side were corroded outside and drew through the holes, allowing the angles of fire box to open. Boiler was not disturbed and no damage was done. No.12. Portsmouth. (Fig. 12.) March 29th. 3 killed, 1 injured. Cornish boiler extending outside of building Fig. 12. One of two. Cornish, 9 years old, 22ft. long, 6ft. diameter. No.13. Manchester. March 30th. 2 killed, 3 injured. Underground. Some alterations were being done to some brick arching, which fell upon and broke steam pipes, and the escape of steam suffocated those near. No.14. Warrington. (Fig. 13.) April 13th. 6 killed, 3 injured. Lancashire boiler Fig. 13. Lancashire, used for evaporation only, 24ft. 6in. long, 8ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, and usually worked with little or no pressure. The boiler was very old and much patched, and incapable of bearing the 15 lbs. pressure which was temporarily put upon it. No.15. Scotland. April 18th. none injured. Plain cylinder, said to have exploded from shortness of water, but no particulars have been obtained. No.16. Cornwall. (Fig. 14.) April 18th. 1 killed, 1 injured. very old Cornish boiler Fig. 14. One of two. Cornish, very old, 34ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed and the front part was blown out, and the boiler was forced back a little. It was said to have been short of water, but the weakness of a tube of such large diameter was most likely the true cause. No.17. Wellington. (Fig. 15.) April 22nd. none injured. very old balloon boiler Fig. 15. One of two. Balloon, very old, 11ft. high, 9ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 5 lbs. pressure. The bottom was corroded externally The top was blown about 20 yards away, but little damage was done. No.18. Cornwall. May. none injured. Cornish, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 6in. diameter, 40 lbs. pressure. Boiler gave way under bottom where corroded very thin, but little damage was done. No.19. Darlaston. (Fig. 16.) May. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 16. Cornish, 15ft. long, 4ft. 3in. diameter. Tube 1ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed and ruptured, having been softened by overheating through shortness of water. Very little damage was done. No.20. Westbromwich. (Fig. 17.) May 12th. 2 killed. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 17. One of three. Plain cylinder, 5 years old, 34ft. long, 6ft. No.21. Dublin. (Fig. 18.) May 18th. 3 killed, 6 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 18. Cornish. Second-hand, but just started at this place, 26ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. usual pressure. Tube collapsed from end to end. The pressure at time was supposed to be 70 lbs., and as there was no evidence of shortness of water, it is presumed the tube gave way from weakness. The boiler was moved forward about 20 feet, but much damage was done to premises. No.22. Bury. (Fig. 19.) May 25th. none injured. domestic saddle boiler Fig. 19. Domestic Saddle, 5ft. long, 3ft. high, 2ft. 6in. wide, 3/8 inch plates, 15 lbs. pressure, the cistern being 30ft. above. There were no stays between the inner and outer shell, and the space between them was too small to allow proper circulation of water to keep the plates from overheating, so that it was hardly fit for its ordinary pressure, and the top was blown off. No.23. Kidsgrove. (Fig. 20.) May 26th. 13 killed, 9 injured. four furnace upright boiler Fig. 20. One of three. Four Furnace Upright, 12 years old, 17ft. 6in. high, 9ft. diameter. Centre tube 5ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The centre tube was much corroded on the inside and collapsed inwards from consequent weakness, allowing the contents to issue at the bottom of the boiler, and the reaction sent the whole boiler high up into the air, and on to a roof causing great damage. No.24. Lowestoft. (Fig. 21.) May 27th. 2 killed. crane of donkey boiler Fig. 21. Crane or Donkey boiler on board a vessel. About 6ft. high, and 3ft. diameter, 25 lbs. pressure. The internal fire box collapsed from the softening of the plates through shortness of water, the blow off pipe having been left open too long. Little or no injury was done to the ship. No.25. Birmingham. (Fig. 22.) June 2nd. 2 killed, 1 injured. Cornish boiler Fig. 22. Cornish, 6 years old, 21ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The tube was so much weakened by cracks and by being out of true circle, that it collapsed from end to end at the ordinary working pressure. No.26. Wigan. (Fig. 23.) June 6th. none injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 23. One of two. Cornish, 28ft. 7in. long, 5ft. 4in. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, slightly oval, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed over the fire and ruptured from weakness. The boiler was not moved and the damage was not great. No.27. Bury. June 9th. 1 injured. Lancashire. The plates were reduced to 1/16 inch by external corrosion, so that the boiler was not able to bear the ordinary pressure, but no details have been obtained. No.28. Workington. (Fig. 24.) June 9th. 7 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 24. One of two. Cornish, nearly new, 16ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. Three plates over fire collapsed from overheating through shortness of water. No.29. Nottingham. (Fig. 25.) June 13th. 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 25. Ten years old. Plain cylinder, with flat ends, 10ft. long, 2ft. diameter, diagonal seams, ¼ inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The No.30. Blackburn. (Fig. 26.) June 17th. 2 killed, 1 injured. Galloway boiler Fig. 26. Sixteen years old. Galloway, 26ft. long, 7ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 56 lbs. pressure. There was a combustion chamber between the furnace tubes and the main tube, and this had been lately repaired insecurely, and gave way and burst upwards. The boiler was not moved, but the contents issued so violently that a good deal of damage was done to surrounding premises. No.31. Glasgow. (Fig. 27.) June 17th. none injured. crane boiler Fig. 27. Crane Boiler, about 2 years old, 7ft. high, 4ft. diameter, 3/8 inch No.32. Bilston. (Fig. 28.) June 21st. 2 killed, 6 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 28. One of seven. Plain cylinder, 30 years old, 30ft. long, 8ft. 3in. diameter, ½ inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. It gave way over fire place, where it had been weakened by frequent repair, which had caused a seam rip near a patch. The fragments were widely scattered, and much damage was done to the premises. The insecurity of boilers so frequently repaired with patch upon patch has been often pointed out. No.33. Darlington. (Fig. 29.) June 24th. 2 injured. two furnace upright boiler Fig. 29. One of twelve. Two Furnace Upright, about 2 years old, 20ft. No.34. Dudley. (Fig. 30.) June 25th. 2 injured. balloon boiler Fig. 30. One of two. Balloon, 34 years old, 12ft. diameter, 10ft. high, No.35. Manchester. (Fig. 31.) June 27th. 2 killed, 1 injured. Galloway boiler Fig. 31. One of four. Galloway, 4 years old, 32ft. long, 8ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates. Tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, originally intended for 40 lbs., but worked at 65 lbs. pressure. The left hand tube collapsed sideways, having been very much weakened by internal corrosion. No.36. July 2nd. 1 injured. Marine. One of the oval tubes collapsed. The boiler was worked at a higher pressure than it was capable of bearing safely, but no particulars have been obtained. No.37. Scotland. July 3rd. 2 killed, 3 injured. Plain Cylinder, 3 years old, 20ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 25lbs. pressure. It was so corroded inside about the water line from bad water, that it gave way at the ordinary pressure. The boiler was thrown 160 yards from its seat. No.38. July 29th. none injured. Cornish, 26ft. long, 5ft. 9in. diameter, tube 3ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The boiler rent open where externally corroded to 1/32 inch, and 3 widths of plates were torn away. No.39. Nottingham. August 12th. none injured. Tubulous Boiler, quite new, made entirely of tubes. One tube gave way at defective weld, but no other damage was done. No.40. Leicester. (Fig. 32.) August 13th. 4 killed, 5 injured. nearly new upright boiler Fig. 32. Upright Boiler, nearly new, 10ft. high, 5ft. diameter, with internal fire box, ½ inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The shell was rent into many pieces, which were widely scattered, doing much damage. The safety valve was defective and incapable of relieving the pressure, and the spring indicated wrongly, so that a much higher pressure was used than the boiler could bear safely. No.41. Newcastle-on-Tyne. (Fig. 33.) Sep. 14th. 5 killed, 20 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 33. One of two. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 17 years old, 27ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30lbs. pressure, No.42. Nottingham. (Fig. 34.) September 15th. 1 killed. tubulous boiler Fig. 34. Tubulous, or all tubes, 1½ years old, 100 lbs. pressure. Steam was being raised with too little water in the boiler, so that the tube became overheated and incapable of bearing pressure, and rent open, and as the boiler was in a small space the steam suffocated the attendant, but the boiler was not disturbed or the premises injured. No.43. Tunstall. (Fig. 35.) September 17th. 3 killed, 1 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 35. One of four. Plain Cylinder, 8 years old, 36ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. It gave way at fifth seam, where a No.44. Exeter. (Fig. 36.) September 27th. 1 killed. Lancashire boiler Fig. 36. Lancashire, 2 years old, 31ft. long, 7ft. diameter, tube 2ft. 10in. diameter, with 56 Field tubes in each, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The right hand tube collapsed and ruptured from softening of plates through shortness of water. The fire was blown out and set the premises on fire and much damage was done. No.45. Cardiff. October 1st. 1 killed, 2 injured. Locomotive, 4½ years old, 14ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 120 lbs. pressure. The fire box was reduced to 1/32 inch by corrosion, and unable to bear the usual pressure and rent open, and the escaping contents rushed out at the fire doors and injured those near. No.46. Liverpool. (Fig. 37.) October 4th. 4 killed, 4 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 37. Plain Cylinder, 6ft. 6in. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The plates were corroded both inside and out, and in some places reduced to less than 1/16 inch in thickness, and it was quite unfit to bear the ordinary pressure. The damage to the surrounding property was very great although the boiler was so small. The shell of the boiler was thrown across a street into an upper room of the house opposite. No.47. Bathgate. October 14th. 2 injured. Rag Boiler. The boiler became exposed to higher pressure than it was intended to bear. The boiler house was destroyed, but no particulars have been obtained. No.48. Walsall. (Fig. 38.) October 19th. 1 killed, 2 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 38. Cornish, 7 years old, 13ft. 3in. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, and supposed to work at 30 lbs. pressure. The gauge was so out of order that it only indicated half the real pressure. The tube was not in good condition and had leaked very much and was quite unfit for the pressure of 60 lbs. to which No.49. Soho. (Fig. 39.) October 19th. 1 killed, 1 injured. Lancashire boiler Fig. 39. One of four. Lancashire, 23ft. long, 7ft. diameter, tube 2ft. 6in. diameter, 30 lbs. pressure, usually, but 15 lbs. at time of explosion. The left side of left tube collapsed and rent owing to shortness of water. No.50. North Wales. (Fig. 40.) October 19th. 1 killed, 8 injured. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 40. One of two. Cornish, 26ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 23 lbs. pressure. The bottom was so thinned by external corrosion that it was not able to bear the usual pressure and rent open. The boiler was turned upside down, and the house much injured. No.51. Berwick. (Fig. 41.) October 21st. 1 killed. one tube Cornish boiler Fig. 41. Cornish, 12ft. long, 4ft. 3in. diameter, tube 2ft. 4½in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 32 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed, having become overheated through shortness of water. No.52. Sheffield. (Fig. 42.) October 26th. 1 killed, 1 injured. locomotive Fig. 42. Locomotive, 11 years old, 9ft. 6in. long, 4ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The top plate over fire box was blown off, having given way along a "furrow" caused by corrosion in a line of strain owing to position of stays. It was in a part of the boiler where it is not usual to find it, and as it could not be seen, it increased until unable to bear the usual pressure. No.53. Darlaston. (Fig. 43.) October 27th. 3 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 43. Plain Cylinder, 22ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. No.54. Cornwall. (Fig. 44.) October 27th. 1 killed. Cornish boiler Fig. 44. One of three. Cornish, 12 years old, 36ft. long, 6ft. diameter, tube 3ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 38 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed from end to end, the front and central parts being blown out. The shell and back of tube were thrown in one piece to the rear, and much damage was done. It was supposed to have been short of water, because the tube had collapsed, but it is more likely it collapsed because of its weakness without strengthening rings. A tube in this boiler collapsed in a similar way about 5 years previously. No.55. Newcastle. (Fig. 45.) November 17th. 1 killed, 2 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 45. One of seven. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 30 years old, 26ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure, mechanically fired. Gave way at a seam on the right hand side of the fire place, where the insertion of a new plate had caused injury to the old plate, and it divided into two parts which were sent in different directions. The uncertainty and treacherousness of these No.56. South Wales. November 19th. none injured. Cornish, 7ft. diameter, tube 4ft. diameter, 40 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed from weakness. No.57. Shields. (Fig. 46.) November 24th. 1 killed, 2 injured. marine boiler Fig. 46. One of two. Marine, second hand when put in 3 years since. Return tube 12ft. 4in. long, slightly oval, 6ft. diameter at front, and 5ft. 6in. at back; tube, oval, 3ft. 10in. wide, and 3ft. deep, 5/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed. It was in such a corroded and cracked condition, and so badly repaired, with screw patches, that it was unable to bear the ordinary pressure. No.58. Manchester. (Fig 47.) December 2nd. 3 injured. balloon boiler Fig. 47. One of two. Balloon, used for evaporating only, nearly new, 9ft. high, and 9ft. diameter, ½ inch plates, not usually worked at any pressure. The top was thrown 60 yards away, and the bottom left on furnace. The boiler was temporarily exposed to pressure which it was too weak a shape to bear. No.59. Bilston. (Fig. 48.) December 2nd. 1 killed, 2 injured. plain cylinder boiler Fig. 48. Plain Cylinder, 5 years old, 14ft. 9in. long, 4ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The water was allowed to get so low that the sides became softened by overheating and rent open, and blew the fire upon those near, but without disturbing the boiler or brickwork. No.60. Hanley. (Fig. 49.) December 16th. 1 killed, 5 injured. balloon boiler Fig. 49. One of two. Balloon, 30 years old, 15ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, worked at 20 lbs. pressure. It rent in two and threw down the engine house and chimney. The boiler was not intended to work at more than 5 lbs. pressure, and was quite unable to bear the extra pressure to which it was exposed. No.61. Leeds. (Fig. 50.) December 24th. 1 injured. domestic wrought iron boiler Fig. 50. Domestic, wrought iron, welded, 13½ inches wide, 12 inches high. The house had been empty, and the pipes to cistern, 26 feet above, No.62. Leamington. (Fig. 51.) December 25th. none injured. domestic wrought iron saddle boiler Fig. 51. Domestic Saddle, wrought iron welded, 1ft. 9in. long, and the same width and height. The circulating pipes were stopped by ice, and the accumulated pressure forced down the underside and rent open the joint. The building was injured. No.63. Morley. (Fig. 52.) December 25th. none injured. domestic wrought iron saddle boiler Fig. 52. Domestic Saddle, wrought iron welded, 2ft. 6in. long, 1ft. 6in. wide and high. The circulating pipes being stopped by ice the accumulated pressure forced out the plate on the under side. The building was injured. No.64. Liverpool. (Fig. 53.) December 25th. 2 injured. Domestic, 1ft. 8in. wide and high, 1ft. deep, ½ inch cast iron. The circulating pipes were stopped with ice, and the accumulated pressure forced out the front, and did great damage to the house. No.65. London. (Fig. 54.) December 25th. 1 killed. wrought iron domestic boiler Fig. 54. Domestic, wrought iron, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. 4in. high, 6in. deep, 3/8 inch thick. The circulating pipes to the cistern about 30ft. above were stopped with ice, and the accumulated pressure rent the boiler in the welded joints, and did great damage to the house. No.66. Dukinfield. (Fig. 55.) December 26th. none injured. cast iron domestic boiler Fig. 55. Domestic, cast iron, 3/8 inch thick, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. deep. The circulating pipes were frozen, and the pressure accumulated and rent the boiler to fragments and did great damage to the room. No.67. Northallerton. (Fig. 56.) December 29th. 1 injured. locomotive Fig. 56. Locomotive, 20 years old, 12ft. 9in. long, with plates arranged lengthways, 3ft. 8in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 80 lbs. pressure. The barrel appears to have given way on the under side near fire box, and opened out and rent into fragments. As the pieces containing the probable first rent were missing, nothing positive could be ascertained. It may have contributed to the rupture that the engine drew from the fire box instead of from the frame. No.68. London. (Fig. 57.) December 29th. none injured. domestic wrought iron saddle boiler Fig. 57. Domestic, Saddle, wrought iron, welded, 1ft. 6in. long, 1ft. 2in. wide, and 1ft. high, 3/8 inch thick. The circulating pipes to cistern 25ft. above were frozen, and the accumulated pressure forced the crown out of under side of boiler, and caused great damage to premises. No.69. London. December 30th. none injured. Domestic, the circulating pipes were frozen, and the accumulated pressure caused the boiler to rent open, but little damage was done. No.70. Burton. Date not ascertained. 1 killed. Plain Cylinder, underground, internally corroded until too weak to bear ordinary pressure. R. Broomhall, Printer, Stourbridge. |
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