180° Report of the Select Committee 
tubes have cracked on the under side, so that the water went 
away. . 
Did you never hear of any instance where a cast-iron boiler 
has exploded in another way ?—I have heard of the late misfor- 
tune at Norwich, and that has been sufficiently accounted for to 
me, by its being made so very improperly. 
Have not you heard of other instances of cast-iron boilers ex- 
ploding ?—I believe only one. 
Is not a cast-iron boiler liable to be exploded in fragments ? 
—lI should think it would never happen, if it was made as cast- 
iron boilers ought to be made; J suppose we might make a cast- 
iron boiler that would explode, and go to pieces in that way, if 
it was done on purpose. 
Have you any other suggestions to make to the Committee ? 
—As to safety-valves, they may be made as safe as can be con- 
ceived of, because they will let the steam escape when it is of an 
improper height, and these engines I am making will save in fuel 
very materially; they are on Woolf’s principle; they will save 
two-fifths of the fuel. 
Is it not easy to adjust a safety-valve to a boiler, which shall 
not be aecessible to the engineer directing the machinery, which 
shall sufficiently protect the boiler from mischief ?—Yes, it is 
guite practicable. 
And so to adjust it that it will always act ?—Once adjusted it 
will always act, and always be to be depended upon. 
Then you would recommend, in any boiler, such a safety- 
valve to be employed ?—Certainly. 
Besides another under the direction of the man who works the 
engine ?—Yes. 
Mr. ALEXANDER TiLLocnu’s Evidence. 
Will you state where you reside ?—At Islington. 
And what is your profession?—I am editor of the Philosophical 
Magazine, and sometimes I am called on to act as an engineer ; 
and I am editor and proprietor of the Star newspaper. 
Will you be so good, as you know the object for which we are 
met, with regard to the safety of persons in steam-boats, to men- 
tion what suggestions you have to make to the Committee on 
the subject? —My opinion is, that attending to what should be 
attended to in every steam-engine, and employing proper en- 
gineers, a steam-engine would be perfectly safe, whether with 
high pressure or low pressure. . The boilers ought always to be 
furnished with safety-valves ; and if they suspect the possibility 
of having a stupid man, one of the valves should be covered and 
aut of his reach with a box over it, but perforated, so that you 
may see when the steam operates on it. A meréurial valve is 
also 
