Part 10

One of four. Four Furnace Upright, 22ft. high, 10ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The boiler was rent into nine pieces, one of which was not found. The dotted line in sketch shows the outline of the boiler before explosion, and the fragments are arranged as nearly as possible in their original position. The first rent was at a seam-rip opposite the largest furnace, from whence the rupture opened in every direction. This seam-rip must have existed some time before explosion, and must have extended from rivet to rivet, until the boiler was so much weakened as to be unable to bear the usual pressure.

_No. 36. Winsford. September 30th. 1 killed._

Plain Cylinder. Few particulars obtained. The end over the fire burst open and allowed the contents to escape. A thick accumulation of scale on the bottom had caused the plate to become overheated by preventing proper contact of the water.

_No. 37. Elsecar. (Fig. 20.) October 2nd. 2 killed._

One of four. Two Furnace Upright, 21ft. high, 7ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 58 lbs. pressure. A large piece of plate was blown out of the side of the boiler, and the reaction of the issuing contents threw the boiler over on to its side. The plate was said to be overheated from shortness of water, but as the centre tubes were uninjured, the ruptured plate may have become overheated from the intense heat impinging on one place, causing so rapid a generation of steam as to prevent proper contact of water.

_No. 38. Glasgow. October 12th. 1 killed, 1 injured._

Plain Cylinder, 39ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates. A small piece of plate about one-and-half-feet area blew out of the bottom, and the contents issued so violently as to do much damage, although the boiler itself was not otherwise injured. The ruptured plate was corroded, to 1/16 inch thickness by the leaking of seams, caused by the feed water entering close to the bottom of the boiler.

_No. 39. Swansea. October 13th. 2 killed, 1 injured._

One of twenty-four. One tube Cornish, worked by two furnaces, 23ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 3ft. 9in. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The tube was divided by a wall down the middle. The tube collapsed sideways. It was said that one side was overheated through shortness of water, but it is more than probable the explosion was owing to the weakness of so large a tube without strengthening rings.

_No. 40. Preston. October 16th. 2 injured._

This was an arrangement of pipes, called an "Economiser," placed in the flues of a set of boilers for heating the feed water. It was shattered into fragments, causing considerable damage. As the whole apparatus was said to be in proper order, the explosion had been attributed to coal gas in the flues, and some peculiarities in the ruptured pipes bear out the supposition.

_No. 41. London. (Fig. 21.) October 19th. 6 injured._

Kitchen Boiler, for supplying hot water to the top of a lofty house. It was rectangular, 3ft. 6in. wide, 2ft. 6in. high, and 1ft. deep. The front was blown out and caused considerable damage. The boiler was of most weak shape, and although no pressure of steam was intended, it appeared to have been overlooked that the column of water to the top of the house would give sufficient pressure to make such a boiler unsafe.

_No. 42. London. (Fig. 22.) October 30th. 2 killed, 10 injured._

One tube Cornish, 15ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. Tube oval at fire end, 2ft. 11in. wide, 2ft. 6in. high. Circular beyond bridge, tapering to 2ft. diameter at back end. In sketch outside shell is shown in dotted lines to allow tube to be seen. The front of the tube burst beneath the fire bars, and rent upwards. Tube collapsed beyond bridge and rent open at each side, but remained intact over the fire. The oval part of the tube was of so very weak a shape, that it burst open, and the collapse of the back part followed as a consequence.

_No. 43. Birmingham. (Fig. 23.) December 2nd. 1 injured._

Small Portable Boiler, 4ft. 9in. high, 2ft. 3in. diameter, 1/4 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The shell was rent completely off. The explosion arose from the large size of the manhole, which had no guard ring on the edge, and the lid had strained it and caused several cracks, and at last forced itself through the boiler, and the rents spread in every direction, and caused the break up of the boiler.

_No. 44. Newcastle. (Fig. 24.) December 11th. 3 killed, 3 injured._

Marine Upright, 13ft. 3in. high, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 1/2 inch plates. Internal fire-box 8ft. 6in. high, 6ft. diameter at bottom, 5ft. 3in. diameter at the top, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. In the sketch the shell is shown in dotted lines to allow the internal fire-box to be seen. The boiler was rent into many pieces, many of which were lost in a river, so that a satisfactory conclusion as to the cause of the explosion was impossible. The boiler was not very firmly stayed, and it is supposed that it was weakened by corrosion round the fire doors.

_No. 45. Hartlepool. December 29th. 1 injured._

Marine, with 3 internal fireplaces joined at the back. The back of the junction tube gave way at a place deeply corroded, and allowed the contents of the boiler to escape.

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NOTE.--Two more illustrations may be given which are not sufficiently important to include in the above list.

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_Willenhall. (Fig. 25.) December 24th. none injured._

One of two. Plain Cylinder, 25ft. 6in. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The water was allowed to get low, and the overheated plates opened and allowed the steam to escape harmlessly.

_Stoke. (Fig. 26.) December 9th. none injured._

One of eight. Four Furnace Upright, 22ft. high, 9ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The water was allowed to get so low that the shell was overheated and rent, and the side tube slightly collapsed, and the injury was not discovered until the feed water had risen up to the rupture, when it ran into the furnaces without causing any violent explosion, although cold water had been put into a red hot boiler.

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STOURBRIDGE: PRINTED BY R. BROOMHALL, HIGH STREET.

BOILER EXPLOSIONS IN 1869.

_No. 1. Chesterfield. (Fig. 1.) January 14th. 4 killed, 2 injured._

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. The barrel was 10ft. 6in. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 130 lbs. pressure. The engine was 14 years old, and had lately been tested to 180 lbs. hydraulic pressure. The seams near the bottom were so deeply "furrowed" or corroded just above the lap joint in a continuous line that they rent open.

_No. 3. Greatbridge. (Fig. 3.) January 26th. 1 killed, 1 injured._

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._

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 some of the fragments cut up, but enough particulars were obtained to give some idea of the nature of the explosion.

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._

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 plates had been put over the fireplace. The first rent appears to have taken place where one of these plates joined the old work. The rent quickly extended along a straight seam, and the boiler was blown into three pieces. The explosion was simply caused by the boiler having been weakened by frequent repair until unable to bear the ordinary working pressure. Externally fired boilers, when so frequently patched become treacherous and uncertain, and more especially so when the seams run from end to end. See No. 59.

_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 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, 17ft. long, and 15ft. high, 3/8 inch plates, 15 lbs. pressure. The top was blown off, the plates having been extensively corroded. The boiler had also been much weakened by altering it from a round to a flat top without sufficient stays.

_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._

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, 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 Nos. 18 and 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, 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._

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, 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, 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 Nos. 41 and 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._

One of ten, 16 years old, Plain Cylinder with plates arranged lengthways, 34ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The boiler gave way at one of the long straight seams near the bottom, and rent into five pieces, which were scattered to wide distances, but are so drawn in sketch as to show whereabouts in the boiler they came from. The boiler had been weakened by frequent repair until unable to bear the ordinary pressure. See No. 59.

_No. 21. South Wales. (Fig. 16.) May 31st. 5 killed, 4 injured._

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, 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._

One of three. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 30ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 28 lbs. pressure, 25 years old.

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, 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, 5ft. long, 2ft. 2in. diameter, 1/4 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, 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 the leaking hastened the corrosion of the plate below, until it was nearly eaten away, and quite unfit to bear the working pressure.

_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._

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._

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 rent was an original one, and no doubt was ripped as the others had been before repair, and that this rip extended from hole to hole until a rupture at the ordinary pressure was the result.

_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, 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 very defective and insufficient, and the angle iron was bad and not welded into one ring, and the boiler was therefore unfit to bear the ordinary pressure, and gave way at the weakest place.

_No. 35. Cornwall. (Fig. 25.) August 16th. none injured._

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, 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 Nos. 12 and 18.

_No. 37. Preston. (Fig. 27.) September 3rd. 1 killed, 1 injured._

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.