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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 18._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 20._]
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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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 Nos. 12 and 18.
_No. 37. Preston. (Fig. 27.) September 3rd. 1 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 30._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 34._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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 Nos. 21 and 43.
_No. 48. Newcastle. (Fig. 37.) October 29th. none injured._
[Illustration: _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. October 30th. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _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. 38.) November 2nd. 1 injured._
[Illustration: _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. 39.) November 3rd. 11 killed, 7 injured._
[Illustration: _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. 40.) November 25th. 1 injured._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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, 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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 44._]
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._
[Illustration: _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 Nos. 28, 30, 35, 40, 54, and 56.
_No. 58. Cornwall. (Fig. 46.) December 14th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 46._]
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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 47._]
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.
* * * * *
The following, not being steam boilers, are not included in the list,
but the details may be useful.
* * * * *
_Oldbury. March 10th. 4 killed._
[Illustration]
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._
[Illustration]
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._
[Illustration]
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.
* * * * *
_R. Broomhall, Printer, Stourbridge._
BOILER EXPLOSIONS IN 1870.
_No. 1. Newcastle. (Fig. 1.) January 7th. 3 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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 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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 3._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 5._]
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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _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._
[Illustration: _Fig. 8._]