Part 11

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, 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 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, 13 years old, 30ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Furnace tube 2ft. 10in. diameter. Main tube 3ft. 5-1/2in. diameter, and originally made to work at 20 lbs.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._

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, 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, 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._

One of eight, 15 years old. Plain Cylinder, 40ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates. The boiler had originally carried 60 lbs., but lately only 40 lbs. The boiler had been worked very hard, and had been so often repaired, that many of the seams were continuous for a long distance without break of joint, so that its strength was reduced until unable to bear the ordinary pressure.

The treacherousness and uncertainty of boilers with one patch over another has often been pointed out, as in Nos. 3, 4, 10, and 32.

_No. 46. Acorington. (Fig. 35.) October 19th. 2 killed, 3 injured._

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._

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 Nos. 21 and 43.

_No. 48. Newcastle. (Fig. 37.) October 29th. none injured._

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. October 30th. 1 killed._

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. 38.) November 2nd. 1 injured._

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. 39.) November 3rd. 11 killed, 7 injured._

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. 40.) November 25th. 1 injured._

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._

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, and allowed the contents of the boiler to issue from the bottom into the culvert leading to the stack, and into the necks of the furnaces from which it was heated. The reaction sent the boiler up to a great height, and it divided into eleven fragments, which were very widely scattered. Comparatively little damage was done to the furnaces and premises, only the brickwork surrounding the boiler being thrown down.

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, 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, 26ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, tube 3ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed and ruptured in the central part from weakness.

_No. 57. Cornwall. (Fig. 45.) December 11th. none injured._

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 Nos. 28, 30, 35, 40, 54, and 56.

_No. 58. Cornwall. (Fig. 46.) December 14th. 2 killed._

One tube Cornish, 26ft. 8in. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 10in. at front end, and 3ft. beyond, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure.

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._

One of three. Plain Cylinder, with plates arranged lengthways, 47ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. It gave way at the seams over the fire, where the edges of the plates had been injured by injudicious and excessive repairing and caulking. The pieces were sent to great distances. The weakness of boilers with seams from end to end in continuous lines has often been pointed out. Eight of the exploded boilers this year, Nos. 5, 15, 20, 24, 44, 48, 50, and 59, and many others in former years were of the same objectionable construction.

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The following, not being steam boilers, are not included in the list, but the details may be useful.

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_Oldbury. March 10th. 4 killed._

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, 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._

The sketch is to a much larger scale than the others.

Domestic, 14in. wide, 11in. high, and about 10in. deep, made of cast iron 1/4 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.

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_R. Broomhall, Printer, Stourbridge._

BOILER EXPLOSIONS IN 1870.

_No. 1. Newcastle. (Fig. 1.) January 7th. 3 killed, 1 injured._

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, 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 back end 150 yards to the rear, carrying away the stack. It had been badly repaired with bolted patches which had hastened corrosion, and as it was known to be nearly worn out, it was to have been replaced in a few days.

_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._

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._

One of three. Rag Boiler, 2 years old, 11ft. diameter, 9-1/2ft. 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._

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._

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._

One of two. Plain cylinder, 12 years old, 30ft. long, 7ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The seams and plates were overheated by shortness of water, and gave way at ordinary pressure. It is supposed the water "kicked" into the other boiler, as there was no back valve to prevent this whenever one boiler happened to be fired a little harder, and consequently at slightly higher pressure than the other. There was no damage except to the boiler.

_No. 9. Birmingham. (Fig. 9.) February 25th. none injured._

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, 2 ft. high, 1ft. 9in. diameter, 1/4 inch plates. It gave way where deeply corroded externally round the bottom angle iron. The top was blown through the roof and did considerable damage, the bottom being left in the grate.

_No. 11. Sheffield. (Fig. 11.) March 27th. 1 injured._

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._

One of two. Cornish, 9 years old, 22ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. Gave way at mid-feather wall where corroded to 1/32 inch, at a place where flues were too narrow to enter. Two rings of plates were torn out and blown into an adjoining street, while the reaction of the escaping contents forced the boiler into a building in a very singular manner, doing very great damage. This case is of peculiar interest, because although the cause of explosion was so plain to see, all the old theories of decomposition of steam, and ignition of hydrogen, were revived, and it was even stated that "a bad boiler could not explode, as the corroded part would give way, and allow the steam to escape harmlessly," and any cause seemed to be considered more probable than the plain and simple one, that it was corroded to the thickness of card board. Like many other examples this explosion shows that however well a boiler is tended, it should be examined in the flues to make sure that it is safe.

_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, 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._

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._

One of two. Balloon, very old, 11ft. high, 9ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 5 lbs. pressure. The bottom was corroded externally to 1/8 inch, and temporarily repaired with screw patches, and was so reduced in strength that it gave way at the ordinary pressure.

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._

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._

One of three. Plain cylinder, 5 years old, 34ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. Gave way by the rent of a ripped seam over the fire, which had been repeatedly temporarily patched without restoring the strength or stopping the rip. Three rings were torn out of the middle, while the front end was blown into the bed room of a house, and the back part of the boiler was thrown across a canal through two walls into a distant street. Great damage was done.