long, 5ft. 4in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, tube 2ft. 7in. diameter, 1/4
inch plates, 62 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed and rent open owing to
its weak, corroded, and deteriorated condition, and the contents issued
so violently, as to cause much damage to the boat.
_No. 17. Hull. (Fig. 10.) May 12th. 2 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 10._]
One of two. Plain Cylinder, 4ft. 9in. long, 3ft. diameter, 1/4 inch
plates, 25 lbs. pressure. This was a second-hand boiler, and rent into
several pieces just after being put to work, owing to its having become
thinned to 1/8 inch by corrosion.
_No. 18. Coatbridge. May 15th. 1 injured._
Plain Cylinder, flat ends, 15ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates,
30 lbs. pressure. The back end blew out and caused considerable
damage, and the boiler was thrown some distance. The end was very
insufficiently stayed.
_No. 19. Gravesend. (Fig. 11.) May 28th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 11._]
One of two. Marine, 13ft. 5in. long, 7ft. 2in. diameter, 5/16 inch
plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The fire was in two internal furnace tubes
united at the back, and the flame was returned to the front by four
smaller tubes. The furnace tubes were of exceedingly weak shape as
the sides followed the curve of the shell, but were not attached to
it by proper stays, so that the left hand tube collapsed upwards, and
one seam rent open and allowed the contents to violently escape. It
is probable there may have been greater pressure than usual at the
time, but the furnaces without stays were unsafe, even at the ordinary
pressure.
_No. 20. Durham. (Fig. 12.) June 8th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 12._]
One of eight. Plain Cylinder, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8 inch
plates, 35 lbs. pressure. The plates were arranged longitudinally.
Boiler had worked 27 years, and was much deteriorated, and gave way at
an old fracture over the grate, and was torn into 4 pieces, which were
thrown a great distance.
_No. 21. Huddersfield. (Fig. 13.) June 20th. 1 killed, 6 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 13._]
One tube Cornish, 24ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 3in. diameter,
3/8 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. The seams were arranged diagonally,
but the rents had not followed the seams, but had torn the plates. The
shell gave way where extensive corrosion had reduced the plates to 1/8
inch in thickness, and all the shell was blown off, and the tube thrown
over and turned end for end.
_No. 22. June 22nd. none injured._
Two tube Cornish, 27ft. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter,
7/16 inch plates, 70 lbs. pressure. Left hand tube collapsed from end
to end owing to its weakness without strengthening rings.
_No. 23. Halifax. July 9th. 6 injured._
Two tube Cornish, 20ft. long, 6ft. 3in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 3in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. The shell was blown
completely off, leaving the tubes and ends intact. The bottom was
extensively corroded, so that the strength of the boiler was so reduced
as not to be able to bear the usual pressure.
_No. 24. Wrexham. (Fig. 14.) July 9th. 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 14._]
Two Furnace Upright, 22ft. high, 8ft. 10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates,
14 lbs. pressure. Small piece was blown out of the bottom, and the
issuing contents disturbed the brickwork surrounding the boiler. The
plate was corroded to a knife edge in the line of fracture, from the
leaking of the adjacent blow-pipe joint.
_No. 25. Dundee. July 13th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
Two tube Cornish, 28ft. 6in. long, 7ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates. Tube
2ft. 2in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. Both furnaces
collapsed, and ruptured from overheating through shortness of water.
_No. 26. Halifax. July 14th. 3 injured._
Locomotive, 10ft. 9in. long, 4ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 130
lbs. pressure. Nearly all the barrel was blown away. The inside was
very much corroded, and there was a deep furrow at the line of first
rupture, caused by the alteration in form of the boiler in the strain
of working. This is usually obviated by substituting butt for lap
joints, so that the pressure does not tend to alter the circular shape
of barrel.
_No. 27. Limerick. July 21st. 2 killed, 1 injured._
Locomotive. Few particulars are obtained. The connecting rod broke, and
the loose end attached to the crank pierced the boiler, and allowed the
contents to issue and scald those near.
_No. 28. Hanley. (Fig. 15.) July 31st. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 15._]
One of three. Plain Cylinder, 36ft. 9in. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch
plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The boiler parted at a seam over the fire
bridge. The front end was thrown upwards and to a considerable distance
to the front. The back part of the boiler was forced backwards. The
first rent took place at a seam-rip at the ruptured seam, and the
boiler exploded while the fire was being drawn in order to repair the
faulty place.
_No. 29. Easter Ross. August 8th. 2 killed, 3 injured._
Agricultural. It exploded while travelling, by its own steam power. The
engine had stuck fast, and extra pressure of steam was raised to try
and extricate it. The boiler was torn in pieces, and scattered to a
great distance.
_No. 30. Bilston. (Fig. 16.) August 17th. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 16._]
One of two. Plain Cylinder, 30ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates,
46 lbs. pressure. The boiler gave way on the side where the plates were
overheated by the water being too low, and the front part of the shell
was flattened out and thrown some distance to the rear, as its course
was influenced by its remaining attached to the rest of the boiler as
by a hinge; while the front end was rent into several pieces, and the
back end was thrown also to the rear and rolled down a declivity into a
stream.
_No. 31. Liverpool. (Fig. 17.) August 20th. 7 killed, 5 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 17._]
Two Furnace Chimney Boiler, 42ft. 4in. high, 6ft. 9in. diameter,
1/2 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. Nearly half the bottom plate was
blown out, and the issuing contents found their way into the furnace
and increased the damage. The line of rupture near where it joined
the shell was corroded almost to a knife edge, which so reduced its
strength as to make it unable to bear the usual working pressure of
steam, in addition to that of the column of water in the boiler.
_No. 32. Accrington. August 31st. 1 killed._
A Kier or Steam Bleaching Chamber, somewhat like No. 2, and not used
for generating steam, 9ft. high, 8ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 50
lbs. pressure. The bottom blew out, and the shell was torn to pieces.
The cause of explosion was weakness of the ruptured end, and want of
care in working.
_No. 33. Birmingham. September 11th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
Two tube Cornish. The manlid was wrongly fixed outside with internal
clamps. It was being screwed up tighter to stop leaking when the bolt
broke, and the lid came off and allowed the contents of the boiler to
escape.
_No. 34. Greatbridge. (Fig. 18.) September 21st. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 18._]
One of four. One tube, externally fired, 18ft. 6in. long, 6ft. 6in.
diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. In
sketch the shell is shown in dotted lines to allow the tube to be
seen. The tube collapsed from end to end and ruptured at two seams,
and the contents issued so violently as to knock down the brickwork
and displace the boiler. The tube was in a very weak and corroded
condition, and unable to bear the usual working pressure.
_No. 35. Moxley. (Fig. 19.) September 28th. 13 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 19._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 20._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 21._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 22._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 23._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 24._]
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.
* * * * *
NOTE.--Two more illustrations may be given which are not sufficiently
important to include in the above list.
* * * * *
_Willenhall. (Fig. 25.) December 24th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 25._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 26._]
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.
* * * * *
STOURBRIDGE:
PRINTED BY R. BROOMHALL, HIGH STREET.
BOILER EXPLOSIONS IN 1869.
_No. 1. Chesterfield. (Fig. 1.) January 14th. 4 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 2._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
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.
[Illustration: _Fig. 4._]
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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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.
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 14._]
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._
[Illustration: _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.
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 16._]