Keeping in mind the fact that _if there were no steam-boilers there
would be no examinations_ and no public necessity for licenses, these
“points” are added.
Examinations are trying periods with all engineers, as the best are
liable to fail in their answers from a nervous dread of the ordeal, but
the granting of the document is very largely influenced by the personal
experience of the candidate in the practical duties of the engine and
boiler-room, which must be stated and certified to by the evidence of
others.
_A general knowledge of the subject of steam engineering is the first
requisite to success._ A few sample questions are here given to show
the ordinary course pursued by examiners to determine the fitness of
applicants:
How long have you been employed as an engineer, and where? Are you
a mechanic? Where did you learn your trade? Give some idea of the
extent of your experience as an engineer? What kind of boilers have
you had charge of? Describe a horizontal tubular boiler. Describe a
locomotive style boiler. Describe a vertical style boiler. Describe
a sectional water tube boiler. How thick is the iron in the shell
of your boiler? How thick should it be in the shell of your boiler?
How thick are the heads in your boiler? How thick should they be in
your boiler? How are the heads fastened to the shell? What is the
best way to put heads in a boiler? How is the shell riveted? What
size rivets are used? What distance apart are they? How should the
shell be riveted? Why do they double rivet some seams? What ones
are best double riveted? How is a horizontal boiler braced? How is
a locomotive boiler braced? What is the size of and forms of braces
generally used? What is the size of your boiler or boilers, length
and diameter? How many have you in charge? Name the horse power. How
many tubes are in the boiler? What size are they, and how thick? How
long are they? How are they secured? What is the difference between a
socket and a stay bolt? What is the tensile strength of Boiler Iron?
What is the tensile strength of Boiler Steel? What is mild steel?
What is CH No. 1 Iron? What is Flange Iron? What is Hot Short and
Cold Short Iron? What is the common dimensions of a Man Hole? What is
it for? What are Hand Holes for? Do you open them often? How often?
What are Crown Bars and where are they used? How is a Boiler Caulked?
What is a Drift Pin?