circulating pipes being frozen the pressure accumulated, and rent the
boiler into pieces, doing great damage.
_No. 2. Rochdale. (Fig. 2.) January 2nd. 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 2._]
Plain cylinder, 11ft. long, 3ft. 1in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25
lbs. pressure. Ruptured at a bad patch over grate, around which were
many old cracks, and the rent passed along the bottom, and through the
unguarded manhole, and round several of the transverse seams, dividing
the boiler into 4 or 5 pieces, which were widely scattered, but are
arranged in sketch near their original position.
_No. 3. January 2nd. none injured._
Cornish, 32ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs.
pressure. Tube ruptured at first seam over the fire from weakness
caused by internal corrosion.
_No. 4. Middlesbro. (Fig. 3.) January 4th. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 3._]
Domestic, 1ft. 3in. wide, 1ft. high, 11in. deep, 5/16 inch thick. The
circulating pipes being frozen, the pressure accumulated and rent the
boiler open, doing considerable damage.
_No. 5. Stirchley. (Fig. 4.) January 9th. 1 killed, 4 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 4._]
One of five, about 30 years old. Lancashire, 18ft. 2in. long, 7ft.
6in. diameter. Tubes 2ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 12 lbs. pressure.
Ruptured at corroded steam pipe joint at top of front end, and the
rent followed along the angle ring of shell which was also corroded,
and then along the seams of some plates in the bottom, placed
longitudinally, allowing the top of the boiler to open up like a lid,
without moving it much out of its original position.
_No. 6. Cornwall. January 12th. 1 killed._
Cornish, 30ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 35 lbs. pressure.
The ball weight of the safety valve was unusually near the steam pipe,
and it is supposed that the boy who was scalded having put his dinner
on the pipe to warm, it slipped between the ball and pipe; and that in
trying to extricate it he lifted the valve which was held open by the
"pasty" wedged under the ball.
_No. 7. Dalry. January 13th. 3 injured._
One of two, 25 years old. Plain cylinder, 24ft. long, 4ft. diameter,
5/16 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Gave way at a ring seam where much
corroded near the back end, which was blown to the rear, the front end
being thrown considerably forwards, and the shell was torn into many
fragments which damaged the engine house, and so injured the other
boiler that it also was rent into pieces and thrown some distance
away. One safety valve was made to serve for the two boilers, and the
connecting valve being shut there was no escape from this boiler, so
that the bursting pressure soon accumulated. A similar boiler attached
to the same engine exploded in April, 1870, and is mentioned as No. 15
in the "records" of that year.
_No. 8. S. Wales. January 15th. none injured._
Plain cylinder, 5 years old, 35ft. 6in. long, 4ft. 10in. diameter, 1/2
inch plates, 55 lbs. pressure. Some plates over the fire became red hot
from the accumulation of scale some inches thick upon them and gave
way, and the reaction of the issuing contents sent the boiler some
distance and did much damage.
_No. 9. Manchester. January 16th. 1 injured._
Plain cylinder, flat ends, very old, 8ft. 4in. long, 3ft. diameter, 3/8
inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The front plate was blown out, and the
boiler was thrown backwards for some distance. The boiler was corroded
until too weak to bear the ordinary pressure.
_No. 10. Sunderland. January 17th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
Marine. The steam expansion joint was placed between two opposite
curves in the pipe, and one end drew out when first under pressure.
_No. 11. Leslie. January 26th. 2 killed._
Cornish, 10ft. long, 4ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 4in. diameter, plates
5/16 inch, 40 lbs. pressure. Gave way at bottom where it rested on the
brickwork, the plates being completely eaten away by external corrosion.
_No. 12. Gateshead. (Fig. 5.) January 27th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 5._]
Domestic, 3ft. high, 2ft. wide, and 1ft. 1in. deep, 3/8 inch plates.
The circulating pipes being frozen, the pressure accumulated, and rent
the boiler open doing great damage.
_No. 13. Bradford. (Fig. 6.) February 1st. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 6._]
Plain cylinder, 5 years old, flat ends, 7ft. 5in. long, 3ft. 4in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The safety valve was
loaded to 70 lbs., and this pressure was too great for the insufficient
stay to the flat end, which was blown out, the boiler being thrown
backwards.
_No. 14. Dover. February 5th. 1 killed._
Marine, 70 lbs. pressure. The boiler was not moved from its place, and
the damage appeared to have been slight, but no particulars have been
obtained.
_No. 15. Newcastle. (Fig. 7.) Feb. 10th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 7._]
One of three, 3 years old. Chimney, 27ft. high, 5ft. diameter. Tube
2ft. 9in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. Collapsed about
half-way up the tube from overheating through shortness of water.
_No. 16. Birmingham. (Fig. 8.) February 15th. 3 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 8._]
One of two, 1 year old. Portable upright, 6ft. high, 3ft. diameter,
7/16 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. There was but one safety valve,
and that was on the other boiler. The junction valve between the
boilers was closed, when left for the night, without the fire being
properly put out, and there being no outlet for the steam the pressure
accumulated, and the boiler ruptured at the unguarded manhole and rent
into fragments, much damaging the closely packed houses near.
_No. 17. Stockton. March 8th. none injured._
Locomotive. The connecting rod broke and pierced the boiler, allowing
contents to issue violently. A similar case was mentioned as No. 27,
July 21st, 1868, and others have occurred in previous years.
_No. 18. Bradford. (Fig. 9.) March 9th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 9._]
One of six, 3 years old. Lancashire, 27ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Tubes
2ft. 8in. diameter, slightly oval, 7/16 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure.
The left hand tube collapsed downwards from overheating through
shortness of water. The boiler was not moved, and little damage was
done to premises.
_No. 19. Glasgow. March 11th. 3 killed, 3 injured._
Rag Boiler. The screws of the manlid were loosened before the steam was
exhausted, and the issuing contents scalded those near.
_No. 20. Wootton Bassett. (Fig. 10.) March 11th. 2 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 10._]
Cornish, 12ft. long, 4ft. 8in. diameter. Tube 2ft. 3in. diameter,
3/8 inch plates, 72 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed downwards from
overheating through shortness of water. This was the second time the
tube had collapsed, although the boiler had only worked 18 months.
_No. 21. Newcastle. (Fig. 11.) March 16th. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 11._]
Plain cylinder, flat ends, 16ft. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter, 5/16 inch
plates, 25 lbs. pressure. There being no stays to support the flat ends
the varying pressure caused a slight movement backward and forward
(sometimes called "drum-head" motion), which facilitated corrosion in
certain lines of strain, and produced a "furrow" at the front near the
bottom, which rent open. The boiler was not moved, and little damage
was done to the premises.
_No. 22. Brigg. (Fig. 12.) March 17th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 12._]
One of five, 5 years old. Plain cylinder, 68ft. long, 4ft. 4in.
diameter, plates 5/16 inch full, 65 lbs. pressure. Heated by gas. Rent
at fourth seam, the front end being thrown a great distance forward,
and the back end to the rear, displacing the other 4 boilers. The
ruptured seam was next to a patch where the cutting out of the old
rivets and putting in of new had caused a seam-rip.
_No. 23. S. Wales. (Fig. 13.) March 18th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 13._]
One of two, 36 years old. Lancashire, 30ft. long, 9ft. diameter. Tubes
3ft. diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 22 lbs. pressure. The boiler was rent
into 3 pieces. Five rings of the back part were torn off and thrown to
the rear. Four rings in the middle were opened out flat and fell across
the other boiler, and the remaining part of the shell with the tubes
were left on the seating. The boiler was old and much patched, and was
corroded too thin to bear the usual pressure.
_No. 24. Lynn. (Fig. 14.) March 23rd. 2 killed._
Cornish, 10 years old, 7ft. 3in. long, 3ft. 2in. diameter. Tubes 1ft.
10in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 36 lbs. pressure. The tube ruptured at
the last ring of plates, and was forced inwards, allowing the contents
to issue at the back. The boiler was slightly thrown forward. It was
only used occasionally, but was so much reduced by internal corrosion
as to be unable to bear the usual pressure.
[Illustration: _Fig. 14._]
_No. 25. Northwich. (Fig. 15.) May 3rd. 1 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 15._]
Marine, 7 years old, 9ft. 2in. long, 6ft. 1in. diameter. Furnace
tube 2ft. diameter, and 3 inch small tubes, 3/8 inch plates, 81 lbs.
pressure. There were two bands as clips round the outside of boiler.
Gave way at a seam where some new bottom plates had been inserted,
and where the old plate was so thinned by internal corrosion as to be
unable to bear the usual pressure. A small plate was blown out and
shattered into three pieces, and the boiler was turned end for end.
_No. 26. Barnstaple. May 9th. 1 killed._
Revolving Rag boiler of plain cylindrical shape, with three filling
holes. The steam was supplied from other boilers. The central lid was
unscrewed, without trying, by a small hole for the purpose, whether
there was any pressure, and the lid came off, and the contents issued
and scalded the attendant.
_No. 27. Leamington. (Fig. 16.) May 18th. 1 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 16._]
Portable multitubular, 9 years old, 8ft. 6in. long, 2ft. 6in. diameter,
5/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The safety valve was fastened down
by a nail (A) between the lever and the cover, and in consequence the
pressure accumulated to more than the boiler could bear, and it was
rent into many pieces, which were widely scattered.
[Illustration]
_No. 28. May 20th. none injured._
Portable vertical, of peculiar construction, with return down flue
tubes, 6ft. high, 4ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 35 lbs.
pressure. The shell was torn off, the bottom having given way through
weakness, from want of proper stays, from the crown of the fire box to
top of the boiler.
_No. 29. Hull. (Fig. 17.) May 22nd. 3 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 17._]
Lancashire, 22ft. 6in. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter. Tubes 2ft. 10in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 70 lbs. pressure. The tube was somewhat
corroded on the top, and gave way over the fire from weakness.
_No. 30. Bath. May 25th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
Revolving Rag boiler of plain cylindrical shape, but revolving on
trunnions, in the opposite direction to No. 26, 12ft. high, 6ft.
diameter, 9/16 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The steam was supplied
from another boiler. The cover at one end was insecurely fastened and
was blown off.
_No. 31. Oakengates. (Fig. 18.) June 6th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 18._]
One of two, 20 years old. Balloon, 14ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 6
lbs. pressure. The pressure was allowed to far exceed the proper height
during a temporary stoppage of the engine, and the bottom was rent off,
and the top thrown some distance, but very little damage was done.
_No. 32. Wellingbro'. (Fig. 19.) June 17th. 1 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 19._]
Cornish, 28ft. long, 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. diameter, 3/8 inch
plates, 40 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed from weakness, and partly tore
away from the back end, and the reaction from the issuing contents
forced the boiler back a long way.
_No. 33. Tunstal (Fig. 20). June 28th. 8 killed, 20 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 20._]
Cornish, 43ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter, 7/16 inch plates. Tube 3ft.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed
sideways from end to end through weakness, being without strengthening
hoops, and with continuous longitudinal seams. The back end and part of
the tube were thrown to the rear, and the rest of the boiler was thrown
to the front, and separated into several fragments.
_No. 34. Glasgow. July 9th. 3 killed._
The lid of a steam valve was being removed while under pressure, and
the steam escaped and scalded those near.
_No. 35. Rotherham. (Fig. 21.) July 11th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 21._]
Cornish, 10 years old, 7ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tube 3ft. 3in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. Gave way where much
corroded by the damp brickwork of the central wall, and the back ring
of plates was torn out, and the boiler turned up on end, and much
damage was done to the premises.
_No. 36. July 17th. none injured._
Cornish, 16 years old, 12ft. long, 4ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 48
lbs. pressure. Gave way at the bottom and rent open, a belt of plates
being blown away to some distance. The bottom had been extensively
corroded, by the boiler being left exposed to wet for many years before
it was set at this place, rendering it unfit to bear the usual pressure.
_No. 37. Cumnock. (Fig. 22.) July 28th. 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 22._]
One of five, about 20 years old. Plain cylinder, 20ft. long, 4ft.
diameter, 5/16 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The boiler had been much
patched and altered, and was in very poor condition, and unfit to bear
safely the ordinary pressure. Rupture commenced near the feed pipe,
and ran along one side and then round each end, both of which were
liberated and thrown far away, the barrel of the boiler spreading out
on to the neighbouring boilers, one of which was much injured.
_No. 38. Shields. (Fig. 23.) August 1st. 1 killed, 7 injured._
Multitubular, 10 years old, 7ft. long, 3ft. 6in. diameter, 5/16 inch
plates, 50 lbs. pressure, but valve loaded to 80 lbs. Rupture commenced
at the unguarded manhole, and the shell was rent into several pieces
which were much scattered. The safety valve was defective, and the
boiler had been much weakened by many patches, and was in poor
condition and unable to bear the pressure at which it was worked at the
time of explosion.
[Illustration: _Fig. 23._]
_No. 39. Wakefield. August 3rd. 1 killed, 1 injured._
One of five. Rag boiler, 5 lbs. pressure from the exhaust steam of an
engine. The manhole was of very large size and insecurely fastened, and
was blown off.
_No. 40. Cornwall. (Fig. 24.) August 17th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 24._]
Cornish, 30ft. long, 6ft. 3in. diameter. Tube 4ft. 3in. diameter,
18 lbs. pressure. Ruptured near brickwork at the bottom where much
corroded externally, and one ring of plates was rent open. The boiler
was displaced, and the premises were greatly damaged.
_No. 41. Shields. August 26th. none injured._
Chemical pan, 12ft. long, 5ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates. The end
was blown off, the rivets not being strong enough for the pressure of
35 lbs. as supplied from the boilers.
_No. 42. Blackburn. (Fig. 25.) August 29th. 1 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 25._]
Lancashire, 26ft. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter. Tubes 2ft. 9in. diameter,
3/8 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. The left hand tube collapsed from
overheating through shortness of water, and the contents issued
violently and scalded those near.
_No. 43. Hereford. August. 2 injured._
Chemical boiler, Plain cylinder, 12ft. 6in. high, 4ft. 6in. diameter,
3/8 inch plates, with cast-iron hemispherical ends with manhole in
each. The pressure of 34 lbs. was obtained from another boiler. The
bottom end gave way where the casting was defective, a piece was blown
out, and the reaction of the issuing contents projected the boiler
through the roof, through which it again descended and did much damage.
_No. 44. Cardiff. (Fig. 26.) September 1st. 2 killed, 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 26._]
Marine. Multitubular, 6ft. long, 6ft. diameter, 60 lbs. pressure. The
under side of fire box gave way at the front rivets, the heads of which
were corroded, and a tongue of plate was torn upwards, allowing the
contents to issue so violently, that those near were carried overboard
and drowned.
_No. 45. Gresley. (Fig. 27.) September 2nd. 7 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 27._]
One of six, 2 years old. Plain cylinder, 40ft. long, 5ft. diameter, 3/8
inch plates, 50 lbs. pressure. This case was peculiar, as the back part
of the boiler was found a long way to the front, and the front end in
the rear. An accumulation of scale caused pocket to form, and a hole
to burn through the bottom over the grate, allowing the contents to
issue so violently that the boiler was sent over end for end, when the
front end was knocked off and thrown to the rear, and the contents then
issuing more violently, the reaction sent the rest of the boiler in one
piece a great distance to the front, where it fell, and was crushed
nearly flat and broken into several fragments.
_No. 46. Cornwall. (Fig. 28.) September 16th. 4 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 28._]
One of two, 18 years old. Cornish, 32ft. 9in. long, 6ft. 6in. diameter.
Tube 4ft. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 45 lbs. pressure. The tube
collapsed from end to end, dropping together like an old sack, and
cracking at the edges. A small piece at the front end was blown out.
The cause was supposed to be shortness of water as there was no gauge
glass, but it was far more likely the weakness of so large a tube
without strengthening hoops. The pressure was doubtless more than
usual, as the engine had made a temporary stand. A similar collapse
took place in the next boiler in December, 1869, and is described as
No. 57 in the "records" of that year.
_No. 47. Hull. (Fig. 29.) September 22nd. 2 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 29._]
Vertical, with fire box of peculiar corrugated construction, 7ft. 6in.
high, 3ft. diameter, 50 lbs. pressure. Gave way round the bottom of
fire box where much corroded and rent open, and the reaction of the
issuing contents carried the whole boiler to a considerable distance.
The pressure gauge had been removed, and the safety valve did not act
freely, and the pressure accumulated to more than the boiler could bear.
_No. 48. Grindleton. (Fig. 30.) September 26th. 1 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 30._]
Lancashire, 3 years old, 20ft. long, 7ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 2in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 60 lbs. pressure. The boiler gave way at the
second ring of plates from the back end, at the side where externally
corroded to a knife edge, by brickwork made damp by being next the side
of a hill. The rents extended round the boiler, and it was turned
nearly bottom upwards, and the shell opened out in the curious way
shown in the sketch.
_No. 49. Bradford. October 9th. none injured._
One of three. Portable, multitubular, 8ft. long, 2ft. 6in. diameter,
80 lbs. pressure. There was no safety valve, dependence being placed
on that of the boiler to which it was connected. Steam was got up
without opening the connecting steam cock, and the consequent excessive
pressure forced off the front end.
_No. 50. Tipton. October 17th. none injured._
One of twenty, 22 years old. One tube worked by two furnaces, 36ft.
long, 6ft. 3in. diameter. Tube from end to left side 2ft. 8in.
diameter, 1/2 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The tube collapsed from
overheating through shortness of water, and cracked at the edges and
allowed the contents to escape without any violence.
_No. 51. Bury. October 21st. 2 killed, 1 injured._
A wall fell upon and broke the steam pipes, and the escaping steam
scalded those near.
_No. 52. October 25th. 2 injured._
Chemical boiler. Plain cylinder, 9ft. 3in. long, 6ft. diameter, 3/8
inch plates. The back end was blown out, and the boiler moved forward
a few yards, and the premises were much injured. The outlet pipes were
choked up, and more pressure accumulated than it was capable of bearing.
_No. 53. Chesterfield. (Fig. 31.) October 25th. none injured._
Plain cylinder, 6ft. 6in. long, 2ft. 2in. diameter, 5/16 inch plates,
80 to 100 lbs. pressure. The manhole was weak and unguarded with a
strengthening ring, and ruptured and allowed the lid to blow out. The
rents spread along a part where strength was much reduced by the rivets
being countersunk to make room for attachments. The safety valve was
defective and overloaded, and there was no gauge, and the boiler was
unfit to bear the pressure to which it was exposed.
[Illustration: _Fig. 31._]
_No. 54. Northwich. October 28th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
Chemical. The cover was unscrewed before the pressure was off, and the
contents blew out violently and scalded those near.
_No. 55. Bowling. (Fig. 32.) October 30th. 1 killed, 1 injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 32._]
One of two, 17 years old. Marine, 12ft. 7in. long, 6ft. 3in. diameter.
Tube 4ft. wide, 2ft. 9in. high, 16 lbs. pressure. The tube was much
weakened by corrosion and screw-patching and collapsed upwards, with
the slightly increased pressure of a temporary stoppage of the engine.
_No. 56. Bilston. October. none injured._
Chemical, 9ft. long, slightly oval, 4ft. greatest diameter, 3/8 inch
plates, 2 lbs. pressure. Although not at work, it is supposed that
a gas was gently passing off through a small pipe, 30ft. long, to a
receiver which was under repair, and that this gas being accidentally
lighted, communicated through the pipe with that in the boiler and
exploded it. One end was blown off, the rupture passing completely
round through the solid plate.
_No. 57. Newcastle. (Fig. 33.) November 5th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 33._]
Cornish, 25ft. long, about 6ft. diameter. Tube 3ft. 6in. diameter, 3/8
inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. Tube collapsed from overheating through
shortness of water.
_No. 58. Gravesend. (Fig. 34.) November 8th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 34._]
One of two. Marine, 16ft. 6in. long, 8ft. 4in. diameter. Tube of
irregular shape, about 2ft. 10in. high, 3/8 inch plates, 27 lbs.
pressure. The gauge was so much out of order, that it only showed 24
lbs. under a real pressure of 80 lbs. The safety valve was defective
and overloaded, and the pressure was sufficient to collapse and rupture
the side flue, and the contents rushed out at the front.
_No. 59. Bilston. (Fig. 35.) November 12th. none injured._
[Illustration: _Fig. 35._]
One of four. Cornish, about 20 years old, 26ft. long, 6ft. 6in.
diameter, 7/16 inch plates, 40 lbs. pressure. Tube 3ft. 9in. diameter
had been made in two parts, joined in the centre by a narrow plate 3/8
inch thick, and it collapsed at this joint, so that the top met the
bottom, and thus so retarded the issue of the contents after being set
in motion, that a shock was produced, which blew out an end and half
the tube in opposite directions. The shell was left resting in its
seat, and little damage was done to premises. The tube had much the
appearance of collapse from shortness of water, but the most probable
cause was that it was too weak without strengthening hoops to bear the
ordinary pressure with safety.
_No. 60. Diss. (Fig. 36.) November 11th. 2 killed._
[Illustration: _Fig. 36._]
Portable, multitubular, about 10 years old, 8ft. 3in. long, 2ft.
7in. diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 30 lbs. pressure. The bottom of the
smoke box was reduced by external corrosion to less than 1/16 inch in
thickness, and was consequently unable to bear the ordinary pressure,
and a piece was blown out, and the reaction of issuing contents
displaced the boiler a little and much damaged the premises.
_No. 61. Rotherham. November 18th. 1 killed._
The screws of a manhole were loosened while the pressure remained in
the boiler, and the lid was blown off.
_No. 62. Newcastle. November 25th. 1 killed._
One of twelve. Chimney, 28ft. high, 6ft. diameter. Tube 2ft. 5in.
diameter, 3/8 inch plates, 25 lbs. pressure. The blow pipe was left
open while some men were inside repairing, and the steam and water from
the blow-off of another boiler in the same pipe was forced in upon them.
_No. 63. Cradley. December 8th. 1 injured._